New Zealand teen author named in Time magazine’s first “Girls of the Year” list

A New Zealand teenager who began writing as a nine-year-old to create the perfect birthday gift for a friend has been named one of Time magazine’s inaugural “Girls of the Year.” 

Rutendo Shadaya, 17, first penned her fantasy novella Rachel and the Enchanted Forest as a present for her best friend.

“I was very good with gift giving, and I knew she liked reading … so I was like ‘Why don’t I write a book for her?’” Shadaya told The Guardian.

Within two months, the Tokoroa teenager had completed the story, and despite having previously “despised” writing, found herself drawn to the process. When traditional publishing proved “unrealistic” for a writer her age, she self-published — selling hundreds of copies and building a local following.

Since then, Shadaya has released two more books in the series, which features strong female leads and explores themes of adventure, friendship, mental health and perseverance. Her protagonist, Rachel, overcomes challenges by stepping outside her comfort zone, harnessing magical powers for good and leaning on supportive friends.

Shadaya said she was shocked to be contacted by Time.

“It was such a surprise, I thought their first email was fake and did not immediately respond. What are the chances they would reach out to a 17-year-old in Tokoroa?” she said.

Only when the recognition was about to become public did its scale sink in.

“It’s surreal,” she said. “I’m being featured with these iconic young women and I feel like it’s such a privilege being honoured and [seeing] my hard work paying off.”

Shadaya, who was born in New Zealand to Zimbabwean parents, is the only representative from Oceania on the list, which highlights 10 girls from around the world. Other honourees include Scottish inventor Rebecca Young, 13, Japanese Olympic skateboarder Coco Yoshizawa, 15, and US organ donation advocate Naomi S DeBerry, 12.

Beyond writing, Shadaya is a netball player, a student volunteer, a YWCA young leader and is considering a career in dentistry. She has also used her platform to encourage other young writers, hosting community talks and events, and recently running a competition for writers and artists aged eight to 13, with the winners set to feature in a forthcoming book.

“Never let your background or age define you,” she said. “You’ll always face a lot of challenges but those challenges are built on to your journey … take that risk, you won’t regret it in the end.”

Dayana Sarkisova, a senior editor at Time, said the girls named to the list “prove that changing your community and inspiring those around you can send ripple effects around the globe.”

“These girls are part of a generation that’s reshaping what leadership looks like today,” she said. “Their generation understands that change doesn’t require waiting for adulthood – it starts with seeing problems and refusing to accept them as permanent.”

By Sabina Mammadli