“[T]his book is so much more than a memoir . . . . Her prose has the power to undo deep-set cultural biases about poverty and parenthood.”—New York Times Book Review
An activist calls for better support of young families so they can thrive and reflects on her experiences as a Black mother and college student fighting for opportunities for herself and her child.
Pregnant Girl presents the possibility of a different future for young mothers—one of success and stability—in the midst of the dismal statistics that dominate the national conversation. Along with her own story as a young Black mother, Nicole Lynn Lewis weaves in those of the men and women she’s worked with to share a new perspective on how poverty, classism, and systemic racism impact teen pregnancy and on how effective programs and equitable policies can help teen parents earn college degrees, have increased opportunity, and create a legacy of educational and career achievements in their families.
After Nicole became pregnant during her senior year in high school, she was told that college was no longer a reality—a negative outlook often unfairly presented to teen mothers. Nicole left home and experienced periods of homelessness, hunger, and poverty. Despite these obstacles, she enrolled at the College of William & Mary and brought her 3-month-old daughter along. Through her experiences fighting for resources to put herself through college, she discovered her true calling and founded her organization, Generation Hope, to provide support for teen parents and their children so they can thrive in college and kindergarten—driving a 2-generation solution to poverty.
Pregnant Girl will inspire young parents faced with similar choices and obstacles that they too can pursue their goals with the right support.
“A frank, thoroughly contextualized portrayal of Black teen motherhood.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Told with empathy and nuance, Pregnant Girl is a remarkable and heart-wrenching memoir from an inspiring leader.”
—Booklist
“[T]his book is so much more than a memoir . . . .Her prose has the power to undo deep-set cultural biases about poverty and parenthood. It should be required reading for every lawmaker who will vote on whether to make the current child tax credit permanent policy.”
—New York Times Book Review
“You will learn something important about race, poverty, and gender . . . And about how hope can win over adversity.”
—Soledad O’Brien
“Pregnant Girl is not just a powerful memoir; it’s an empowering guide for all of us. Nicole Lynn Lewis shows us that all our journeys matter, and the beauty of those journeys is not just the destination but the lessons of the path. I would highly recommend this book to all.”
—Wes Moore, CEO of Robin Hood, author of The Other Wes Moore
“[Nicole Lynn Lewis] makes a compelling case for the multifaceted approach that is necessary to ensure that all young people—particularly our youth of color and young parents—are able to make the choice to pursue a college education, earn a degree, and lead thriving lives. . . . It is an approach that is deeply rooted in the belief and call to action that is core to this book—that all young people are worthy of an education, worthy of resources and opportunity, and worthy of our every effort to help them reach their potential and soar.”
—Dr. John King, US secretary of education under President Obama
PART ONE: EXPECTING
CHAPTER 1
The First Bead
CHAPTER 2
Women’s Work
CHAPTER 3
Love Song
CHAPTER 4
Two Pink Lines
CHAPTER 5
Into the Dark
CHAPTER 6
Red
CHAPTER 7
Place
CHAPTER 8
A Soul Melting on Hot Pavement
PART TWO: THE URGE TO PUSH
CHAPTER 9
The Strength in Between
CHAPTER 10
All Good Things
CHAPTER 11
Freedom Dance
CHAPTER 12
Taking Shape
CHAPTER 13
Honors
PART THREE: CROWNING
CHAPTER 14
Inheritance
CHAPTER 15
Breech
CHAPTER 16
CEO
CHAPTER 17
Peace
Acknowledgments
Notes
- “Honors,” Mutha Magazine, excerpt
- “‘The Lack of Support Never Ends:’ Notes on Nicole Lynn Lewis’s Pregnant Girl,” Mutha Magazine, cover piece
- “Books We Love 2021,” NPR, selected as one of the best books of 2021
- “Higher education is based in ‘racist and classist assumptions,’ education nonprofit CEO says,” The College Fix, review with author Q&A
- “A Growing Village,” William & Mary Alumni Magazine, profile
- “Your Woking Life with Nicole Lynn Lewis,” Your Working Life, podcast interview
- “Advocating for the invisible group that is college-aged parents,” Great Day Washington/WUSA-TV (DC), interview with Host for Mom series
- “Pregnant Girl,” C-SPAN/Book TV, broadcast of Generation Hope event
- “The Lessons Teen Moms Can Teach Colleges,” Ed Surge, podcast interview
- “I got pregnant in high school in the 1990s — and felt the weight of the country’s fears about teen pregnancy,” The Lily/Washington Post, excerpt
- “Lewis’ Memoir Describes Being A Teen Mom In College While Raising A Daughter,” NPR Morning Edition, interview
- “Pregnant Girl Nicole Lynn Lewis: Young mothers need a ‘village of support,’” Salon, Q&A
- “How Colleges Tell Student-Parents They Don’t Belong,” The Atlantic, essay
- “Pregnant Girl: A Story of Teen Motherhood, College, and Creating a Better Future for Young Families, an interview with book author Nicole Lynn Lewis,” Diverse Issues in Higher Education, podcast interview
- “Community Care for Teen Moms + Gender and Emotional Load,” Selfie, podcast interview
- “Pregnant Girl author discusses teen motherhood and the need to support student parents,” Morning Show/WJLA TV (DC), interview
- “Your Working Life with Nicole Lynn Lewis,” Your Working Life, podcast interview
- “‘This is our moment,’ says the author of a new book on student parents,” Hechinger Report, column
- “Episode 501: Nicole Lynn Lewis,” Two Broads Talking Politics, podcast interview
- “‘Yes, You Belong Here’: An Expert Explains the Importance of Supporting Student Parents,” The Chronicle of Higher Education, Q&A
- “Generation Hope—Nicole Lynn Lewis,” Anette on Education, podcast interview
- “Pregnant Girl: A story of teen motherhood, college, and creating a better future for young families,” Public Seminar, excerpt
- “Wajahat Ali and Nicole Lynn Lewis Episode 344,” Stand Up! with Pete Dominic, podcast interview
- “Nonfiction Views: Down Along With That Devil’s Bones,” Daily Kos, mentioned in piece covering new nonfiction
- “PageTurners: May I Interest You in Some New Releases?” The Root, book included in PageTurners column for new releases
- “33. Messages to Mom: We Have Your Back (with Rep. Katie Porter, Nicole Lynn Lewis, Dr. Aisha Nyandoro and Tamara Ware),” On the Issues with Michele Goodwin/Ms. Magazine, interviewed in podcast episode
- “Q&A With Nicole Lynn Lewis, Founder & CEO of Generation Hope,” Higher Learning Advocates, Q&A
- “Q&A with Nicole Lynn Lewis, author of Pregnant Girl,” Medium.com, Q&A
- “Hope for a ‘Pregnant Girl,’” Psychology Today.com, review and column
- “Former ‘Pregnant Girl’ Builds Support To Help Other Teen Moms,” Fresh Air with Terry Gross/NPR, interview