Estimates indicate that women purchase 70% of books sold in America. Audiences for literary events are predominantly female.
Yet, until now, no national venue existed honoring the collective work of America's premier women writers--historical and contemporary.
In a writerly continuum from Abigail Adams' (1744-1818) erudite letters to her husband President John Adams (1735-1826)--a riveting eyewitness account of America's political beginnings--to Margaret Munnerlyn Mitchell (1900-1949), Nelle Harper Lee (1926- ) to the popular contemporary novels of Danielle Steel (1947- ), and the activist poetry of Marguerite Ann Johnson (Maya Angelou) (1928- ) these American women writers, to name just a few--communicate our culture in eloquent voice. American women not only rode covered wagons, birthed babies, cooked, taught children, healed the sick, enjoyed the romances, and confronted the complexity of their era--they wrote about it all with insight and flair. Gifted women sometimes were overshadowed by men writers--not in creativity and skill, but in public visibility and recognition.
To feature their talent, The American Women Writers National Museum (AWWNM) opened in Washington, D.C. on February 13, 2012. The intent is to divide material/ programs into journalists, poets, historians, cuisinieres, playwrights, screenwriters, and authors. Interactive displays, rotating exhibits, films, plays, readings, speakers and rental space are planned.
The prestigious Center for the Book in the Library of Congress has partnered with AWWNM.
The 50 state Centers for the Book, and the general public will be asked to suggest honorees for consideration by a committee.
--Janice Law
AWWNM’S AWESOME SPEAKERS -- L-R -- Patricia Krider, Executive Director, First
Ladies Library, Canton, Ohio; Professor Maurine Beasley; Janice Law, AWWNM Founder;
Anita McBride, Chief of Staff to former First Lady Laura Bush; and Lisa Kathleen Graddy,
Curator, First Ladies Exhibit, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian, speak at
AWWNM First Anniversary February 14, 2013
Melinda Machado, D.C. Public Relations Executive "Thanks for getting me out of the office and into a wonderful (January 29) AWWNM cultural experience.".
Connie Armstrong, Executive Director, Oklahoma Center for the Book "As a result of AWWNM's 50-state Project, in which Oklahoma CFB cosponsored a D.C. program, premier women writers across America are garnering attention on a national stage! Keep up the good work Janice! Thank you! ".
John Paul Myrick, Development Director
West Virginia Library Commission
"As a result of your exhaustive efforts, West Virginia women writers received much-needed national recognition. The West Virginia Center for the Book was very proud to work with AWWNM in the 50-state Project! ".
Dr. Thomas Staley, Director,
Ransom Center,
University of Texas, Austin: "Participating as speaker in an
AWWNM event
was a great
pleasure. I enjoyed speaking
with the intelligent and engaging individuals who attended.
I am very impressed with
AWWNM's broad range
of
programs and activities".
Larry Guthrie, law librarian;
(on 50-state Project program): Janice: Thank you for great AWWNM program on Oklahoma women writers...which really connected
with us Oklahomans. I often gauge
success of
Oklahoma events in D.C.
if they make you feel you
are in Oklahoma again. This
was a wonderful
success! Your
comments were so professional,
and the AWWNM program had such
depth and professional structure.
I really look forward to
attending
future programs".
Jaydee Pope, 2012
AWWNM summer intern: "I've discovered that American
women writers
have affected every
facet of the literary world,
media and general entertainment.
I've always
been fascinated by
literature. But never did I
stop to consider how much my
everyday life is
enriched by the
work of these women.
Discovering that American women
writers are
responsible for my
favorite television shows,
news articles and even nursery
rhymes has given
me a new-found
respect not only for their work,
but for their legacy as well".
Princeton Club, New York City
New York Center for Book -- Annual Hall of Fame Gala
L-R: Janice Law, Toni Morrison, winner of the Nobel and Pulitzer prizes.
Legendary American woman songwriter Carole King, right,
chats with AWWNM Founder Janice Law after King’s
appearance on WAMU radio, the NPR affiliate in D.C.
Carole King’s new book is A Natural Woman: A Memoir.
HONORING NORA: NYTimes best-selling Nora Roberts, left, has authored more than 190 books, which have sold in excess of 400 million copies worldwide! Janice Law, right, visits about American Women Writers National Museum.
Janice Law, AWWNM Founder, with Dana Gioia, past director, National
Endowment for the Arts, who spoke on his new book: Pity the Beautiful.
His presentation was sponsored by AWWNM.
Mar 27 - Poet Dana Gioia Presentation
Mar 27 - Interview with Poet Dana Gioia Presentation
L-R: AWWNM Founder Janice Law meets with
Latina poets Dr. Ada Vilageliu-Diaz, Neida Perez, and Carmen Calatayud to plan a
January 29, 2013 event featuring poet Rachel Eliza Griffiths. (For details see Events & Calendar.)
Janice Law discusses AWWNM with Pulitzer Prize winner and U.S. Poet Laureate (1993-95) Rita Dove.
TOP OF THE LINE: Jim Leach, Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities, shares ideas with Janice Law for the American Women Writers National Museum.
CNN FILMS AWWNM: Val Willingham, CNN Producer, (right), works with CNN cameraman filming
AWWNM panel program. See more photos on Media: CNN WP NYT page.
For a listing of women who've won a Pulitzer Prize, click here.
AWWNM was incorporated in D.C. on Oct. 12, 2010 by attorney Janice Law. IRS has approved AWWNM as a tax exempt charity. All contributions are tax deductible. For further information, email: info@americanwomenwritersnationalmuseum.org
