"Up from the Sea" Author Inspires Empathy and Resilience

FWCD welcomed visiting author Leza Lowitz, whose novel in verse, Up from the Sea, is being read by sixth graders. Her visit encouraged students to explore the depths of empathy and resilience through the story of Kai, who is navigating the aftermath of the March 2011 tsunami in Japan. Lowitz shared her emotional experience living in Japan during the tsunami and feeling compelled to make a difference in this community. 

Lowitz saw the physical destruction firsthand and felt a deep need to help. She did a yoga benefit at her studio, Sun and Moon, but still felt that wasn’t enough. She traveled to Kesennuma, where entire communities were wiped out and offered healing services to survivors. Her experiences deeply influenced the novel, which she wrote in bits and pieces while feeling the tremors of aftershocks, which inspired her to write in verse. 

Moved by a childhood encounter with Maya Angelou to become a writer, Lowitz now encourages students to find their own voice and use it for good. Her visit to FWCD extended beyond her novel; she led a yoga session with Upper School students, merging mindfulness with creative expression.

Lowitz’s commitment to making a difference encompassed her book as a whole. She used her advance to build the Oshika Library in Japan, helping a community that lost so much. During her talk, she quoted Helen Keller: “I am only one; but still I am one,” a mantra that shaped her journey of healing and service, showing students that small acts of compassion can make a world of difference.

Anne-Lise Knecht Woods ’85 met Lowitz at a Yoga and Writing Conference in New Mexico this summer and felt it was important to bring this powerful message to FWCD. Lowitz’s work continues to inspire students to connect with others and understand the shared human experience.