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500 Pens is a coalition of writers and photographers who believe in the power of stories to help us learn from and better understand one another and to serve as a reminder that there is more that unites us than divides us. Their project began in November 2016 when their founder approached the Southern Poverty Law Center and volunteered to help cover news related to social justice, advocacy and anti-bias programs. Hoping to gather a handful of writers to help, she posted on Facebook. In a few days, more than 500 writers responded. Soon, the project was expanded to include more storytellers and

Along with her husband, Greg Baldwin, Meredith co-founded New Haven Academy, a public, interdistrict magnet high school in New Haven, Connecticut, in 2003. The school was one of the first members of Facing History’s Innovative Schools Network (now Partner Schools Network), and Gavrin has served on the advisory board of the network for the last several years. She received her bachelor’s degree at Princeton University and her M.Ed. at Harvard University and has worked in education for more than 25 years. Gavrin is also the proud parent of three children: Elijah, Caleb and Mia.