From “at-risk” to authors.

In 1994, Long Beach was a racially divided community filled with drugs, gang warfare, and homicides, and the tensions on the streets had carried into the school halls. When idealistic first-year teacher Erin Gruwell walked into Room 203 at Wilson High School, her students had already been labeled “unteachable.” But Gruwell believed in something more.

Despite opposition from fellow teachers, Ms. G sought to engage her students using relevant literature and media. Her students were particularly inspired by the writings of Anne Frank and Zlata Filipovic, and ultimately chose to put down their weapons and pick up a pen. The once-hardened teens discovered a new way to express themselves and embrace history, humanity, and hope. By sharing their stories, they rewrote their futures and became catalysts for change.

Collage of Freedom Writers Wilson High School Yearbook

All 150 of the Freedom Writers went on to graduate in 1998 and their stories were published in a book called The Freedom Writers Diary, which became a New York Times Bestseller and was adapted into the feature film Freedom Writers starring Hilary Swank. Many of Gruwell’s students pursued higher education and now have successful careers. They created the Freedom Writers Foundation to help educators reproduce the success of Room 203 in classrooms around the world.

Support the Freedom Writers legacy and help teachers empower their students every day.

Freedom Writers Foundation

Change the Classroom - Change the World

Annual 2023 Freedom Writers Scholarship