Being a rebel with her poetry - Catherine Bradley opens up about her latest work in ‘Dear Rebel’.

Catherine Bradley is joining the company of big names such as Allyson Felix, Malia Baker, Drew Barrymore, Nadiya Hussain, and more with her latest project ‘Dear Rebel’.

‘Dear Rebel’ is a new keepsake literary collection made by Rebel Girls which is a global nonprofit organization with hopes to create a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality.

I had the chance to sit down (virtually) with Catherine Bradley, to talk to her about her poem featured in the book, future projects, and more.

You can read the full interview below.

Gracie Lowes: Rebel Girls is such an amazing organization, what was it that drew you to want to work with this group and also be a part of the brand’s new keepsake literary collection?

Catherine Bradley: “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 trailblazer 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 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 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!”

Gracie: Dear Rebel features a poem from you, what was the creative process like when writing this?

Catherine: “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 mothers and their daughters 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 bedtime 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!”

Gracie: If you could describe upcoming projects and goals for your career in three words what would they be and why?

Catherine: “On the acting front, I am finally back on set filming Season 2 of The Really Loud House for Nickelodeon and Paramount +. My goals and dreams for the future are to continue doing what I love – storytelling – which is my first word! I want to continue to have a professional career in acting: in movies, TV, and on the stage. Knowledge would be my second word - when I go to college, I plan on not just studying acting but learning film, directing, and production. And my third word is empowering. I want to write, produce, direct, and act, and tell the stories of strong resilient women. There are not enough of these stories out there and there are so many great ones that need to be told. That is my ultimate goal as an actress and young woman. The more stories that empower and instill confidence in women that are out there, the stronger our world will become!”

Gracie: Some other amazing people who have teamed up with Rebel Girls include Allyson Felix, Malia Baker, and Drew Barrymore. Who would you like to see join this empowerment squad next?

Catherine: “That is what makes this book so special. Dear Rebel is such an incredible collection of a diverse group of female voices . . . different races, ages, backgrounds, cultures, professions, and experiences. 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 many of the same fears, struggles, self-doubts, passions, hopes, and love. I would love to see Zendaya join the Dear Rebel Squad. She is such a role model to so many young women and has truly inspired me throughout my childhood.”

Gracie: Are there other organizations you love that others should know about and support this holiday season?

Catherine: “There is an annual campaign by UN Women which is literally the global rebel for gender equality and its main goal is that every girl lives up to her full potential. Every year, UN Women supports 16 days of activism, and the theme is uniting to prevent gender-based violence against women and girls. I am really excited to support this campaign. I also am involved with St. Jude which treats the toughest childhood cancers and is an amazing organization that has helped so many children and their families.”