Mossberg, BarbaraWilson, MichaelO'Donnell, Hailey2023-08-182023-08-182023https://hdl.handle.net/1794/2870378 pagesThis thesis examines the healing and motivating influence of creative community through the lens of creative young women. My research elucidates mechanisms of creativity deterrence facing young women today and offers an intervention. Through thorough literature review, I have identified four intervention elements evidenced to aid confidence and creative development: (1) therapeutic creative practice; (2) mutual recovery; (3) peer support and mentorship; (4) all-woman spaces. Combining these factors (and existing research on Creative Youth Development [CYD]), I propose a novel program for the encouragement of young women’s creative writing and connection with one another. Additionally, I employ personal narrative throughout my inquiry to reflect a common young woman’s creative arc indicated by my research. My findings illuminate the role of creative community in girls’ collective empowerment, as well as both artistic and personal fulfillment.en-USCC BY-NC-ND 4.0CreativityPeer MentorshipYoung WomenCreative Youth DevelopmentCommunityThesis/Dissertation0009-0008-8322-0290