Catherine Bradley is currently making waves in the literary world as she promotes Rebel Girls' new keepsake literary collection, Dear Rebel. Alongside other notable figures such as Malia Baker and Drew Barrymore, Catherine has contributed a poem to this empowering collection. The book, which was released on October 3rd, features works from 145 different individuals from 37 countries, making it a diverse and global celebration of women. This project is particularly special because it is for a great cause — Rebel Girls is a nonprofit organization that aims to end illiteracy and gender inequality. They will make both monetary and book donations to Room to Read, which will extend the impact of Dear Rebel worldwide. Continue reading to learn more about Catherine and her involvement in this incredible initiative.

Where are you based?
I am based in the Jersey Shore now, but I grew up in New York City. I also spend a lot of time in Los Angeles.

How did you become involved in the Dear Rebel project, and what inspired you to contribute a poem?
My sisters Alex and Aubin, and I grew up with the Rebel Girls books. I think my mom and my grandmothers bought us the entire collection growing up. We would always get the latest Rebel Girl book at Christmas and birthdays! I think my mom and her mother gravitated towards the Rebel Girl collection as they both are the ultimate rebel girls. My grandmother was a trail blazer starting a newspaper as a single mom with two little girls, and my mom was so inspired by her mother that she too founded her own business in an industry where there are very few women founders. The Rebel Girls books and stories are so incredible, and reading them growing up, I found so many amazing role models. So, when we had an opportunity to contribute to the latest book, “Dear Rebel,” it was such an honor and such an exciting project for all of us to work on. Having the opportunity to tell our story to young girls around the world and hopefully inspire them to dream and dream big is so special!

Can you tell us more about the literary collection, Dear Rebel, and how it hopes to empower girls globally?
Rebel Girls is a girl empowerment brand that focuses on creating girl-driven media especially for younger girls. Rebel Girls has published so many inspiring books and Dear Rebel is their latest one. This book is a powerful collection of stories, advice, letters, and a lot more from such an incredible group of 145 women from around the world! The young girls who read this book will find so many women that they can relate to and hopefully hearing their dreams, their journeys, their struggles, their fights, and their victories will empower young girls everywhere! Young girls will realize they share these same struggles and dreams! When you empower young women, you are also empowering their families, their communities… the world.

With such a wide range of contributors, how do you think this collection will resonate with readers of different backgrounds and experiences?
Dear Rebel is a collection of a diverse group of female voices: different races, ages, backgrounds, cultures, professions, and experiences. Yet what you find is that while all of us may appear so different, we actually have so much in common. As you read this book, you might begin a story wondering if you have anything in common with the storyteller, but quickly, you realize you share the same fears, struggles, self-doubts, and love. We all share a passion to follow our dreams and an equal passion in our love for humanity and others and to make this world a better place for everyone! That is what makes this book so special. Every woman’s success and story should be an inspiration to another woman. Women are strongest when we support and cheer each other on!

Can you share with us A little bit about the creation of your poem A Mother’s Olde to Three Beautiful Sisters? What are you hoping readers get from it? How was the creative process with your mother and sisters?
The poem was written by my mother, my two sisters, and me and was definitely a family affair. I think that made our poem unique as it really celebrated the bond of family, women and sisterhood, highlighting the strength in women coming together – celebrating our differences but also celebrating our common light. Our poem, “A Mother’s Ode to Three Beautiful Sisters” was inspired by our early childhood with our mom and made-up bed-time stories where our mom would bring all of our stuffed animals… mischievous elves, determined rhinos, golden fairies, cuddly pandas, silly ostriches, fluffy red foxes. English queens, glamourous starlets, time-traveling princess warriors… to life taking us to magical worlds each evening. In these bedtime stories, these characters achieved their dreams, fought for those who had lost their voice, and displayed acts of kindness, strength, and humility and even when they failed, they kept on going. This storytelling by mom was her way of paving the way for who she knew we all would become. This is one of the main messages of our poem, the power and magic of a mother’s love. The other main message is to be you, celebrate your individuality, dream bigger than big and that the most powerful magic of all is not just sisters supporting sisters, but women supporting women. The process was a lot of fun. My sisters and mom and I would laugh and reminisce about which character or stuffed animal best represented each one of us in mom’s bedtime stories!

What got you interested in writing?
When I was in middle school, I read the Diary of Anne Frank. I was so moved by her courage and ability to stay optimistic during such a horrendous time. I also realized that writing is a powerful way to express complex emotions. It was after reading her diary that I wrote my first poem, “She Once Was a Normal Girl.” It was written to be a tribute to her and all the children who lost their childhood and lives, but it was also a way for me to express and make sense of the complex feelings and pain I felt reading her story. As I have grown as a writer, I find writing poems like therapy and a way to express my feelings.

Can you tell us more about Rebel Girls' contribution to Room to Read and how it will impact their Girls' Education Program?
Rebel Girls in partnership with the non-profit Room to Read has a new Rebel Girl book coming out called She Creates Change, which features 12 incredible stories of girls from Room to Read's Girls' Education Program. This book will have an enormous impact on their Girl’s Education program with the goal of every girl in the world discovering her own power and the amazing change to our world that would happen as a result. These 12 stories are of courageous and relatable young women and their pursuits of gender equality. I am so excited to read this latest book!

What do you think sets Dear Rebel apart from other empowerment or literary collections?
What sets Rebel Girls apart is that their books understand women and young girls. Rebel Girls is female-owned and has stayed true to its mission since they began publishing. Its mission is to raise the most inspired and confident generation of girls. Every book tells the story of real-life women with the goal of our world becoming more equal and that girls can and should do everything! I love their mission and their message. I am an example of the first generation of young girls that Rebel Girls reached!

Could you tell us more about the impact that Rebel Girls hopes to make through their donation of books and funds to Room to Read?
Rebel Girls’ goal with Room to Read is to reach young girls from all corners of the globe and provide literacy and education programs so that young girls have basic skills, gain confidence, and have access to education. So many children, especially girls, are growing up without the ability to read and without education. This is simply wrong.

Can you share any personal experiences or stories that have influenced your own journey as an artist and activist?
Growing up, my mother always instilled in all her children that with hard work and belief in yourself that you can achieve anything you put your mind to. Having such a strong role model from literally the day I was born has had a profound impact on who I am, more than I ever realized. I remember when I was eight years old in the third grade class play, sharing with some friends that I wanted to be on Broadway. They laughed. That night, I went home and told my mom that I wanted to be on Broadway when I was a grown up. She said, “why wait?” One year later, I was on the Broadway tour of A Christmas Story the Musical and two years later, starred on Broadway as Lily Potter Jr. in Harry Potter & The Cursed Child. My mom also said that with success comes responsibility and I share her passion for activism and education, particularly for gender equality. I am a strong female and a huge part of who I am is speaking up and advocating for causes I believe in. I am part of Model United Nations at school and have also been involved in many different causes that are special to me.

As a successful artist and activist, what advice would you give to young girls who are looking for ways to empower themselves and make a difference in the world?
Speak up! Let people hear your voice and opinions. We may be young, but we can contribute and can make a difference in this world. Follow your passions but also focus on your education. Education is power. Get involved in your school and try new things. I am an actress, but my education has always come first. I want to drive my destiny and education gives young girls the tools to do this.

Are there any future projects or initiatives you are working on that you would like to share with us?
On the acting front, I am finally back on set filming Season 2 of The Really Loud House for Nickelodeon and Paramount +. This series has 10 sisters, who are all so different – a comedian, master of disguise, and prankster (that’s me), a fashionista, a musician, an athlete, a dark mysterious poet with supernatural powers (that’s my sister Aubin), a scientist, and much more. Each of these characters is a role model for young girls and again, while each character is so different, the message is the same – there is unity and strength in women coming together! I am really excited for young girls and boys to see the next season as they will get to learn more about these characters.

What message would you like to give to readers who are interested in supporting Rebel Girls and their mission?
I would tell readers to keep reading Rebel Girls and to support causes like Room to Read. Every voice matters and can make a difference. Also, women should continue to speak up for themselves and what they believe. I always believe that when I speak up for myself and what I believe, I am speaking up for all women.

It has been a rough few years, how have you been staying positive?
I have always been an optimist. It’s truly a gift and the key to resilience. I realized early on that sometimes bad things happen, things out of your control, and you have to keep going and not take it personally. When negative thoughts and self-doubt creep into my mind, I recognize them, but do not dwell on them and focus on the positive instead. One of my favorite quotes is by Martin Luther King when he said, “Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” If you start focusing on the stars, it becomes a habit.

What is your motto in life?
Dream big and make it happen!

To learn more about Catherine Bradley and Rebel Girls, check out the below links:
Instagram: @catherinebradley_ and @rebelgirls
TikTok: @catherinebradleyy

Catherine Bradley - Makes a 'Rebellious' Impact with Her Poetry in Dear Rebel