Twenty-Two: Letters to a Young Woman Searching for Meaning

Over the course of twenty-two letters, author Allison Trowbridge addresses a wide range of practical issues and ties them to larger concerns such as identity, loss, social impact as a lifestyle, wisdom in the ordinary moments, and the profound way God’s work is realized in how we live every day. Subtly weaving in today’s pressing social concerns—from poverty in our neighborhoods to human trafficking across the globe—Twenty-Two will inspire a greater sense of mission and a passion to live more fully as young women embark on their own remarkable journeys.

Allison Trowbridge harnesses the power of story in a series of letters to an imagined young woman wrestling with the questions that arise as she stands on the precipice of adulthood.

Never in history has a young woman had so many options before her, yet never has she had less direction or guidance on what to do with them. A woman at the precipice of adulthood often finds herself with more questions than answers, with more disenchantment than direction.

• How is she supposed to “lean in” to a successful career while also building deeply meaningful relationships?
• How can she care for the community around her while simultaneously developing a global mindset and changing the world?
• How can she be all that she is destined to be without feeling paralyzed by the pressure of so many prospects?

Allison Trowbridge knows this dilemma well. She remembers stepping into her twenties and wishing for a mentor to guide her through this dizzying season of life. In Twenty-Two, she becomes the mentor she was looking for. Drawing from her own experience and from the wisdom of others, she offers advice and counsel in a series of personal letters to “Ashley,” a fictional college student looking for mentorship from someone one step ahead in life.

Allison Trowbridge is a writer, speaker, and social entrepreneur who is passionate about empowering millennial women to impact their world. She has spent the past decade working against human trafficking and modern-day slavery, first at Not For Sale and presently with The Freedom Fund. She is a partner at Just Business, an impact investment firm addressing the root causes of slavery, and she advises social enterprises and nonprofits on strategy, branding, and partnerships. Allison is a MBA candidate at Oxford University and graduated from Westmont College in 2008. She currently lives in New York City.