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 January 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

Janice Law discusses AWWNM with Pulitzer Prize winner and U.S. Poet Laureate (1993-95) Rita Dove.

       

CONSULTING WITH WISE COUNSELORS: The prestigious Center for the Book in the Library of Congress has selected AWWNM to partner with the Center's popular nationwide Reading Promotion Partner network. Dr. John Cole, Center director, chats with Janice Law, AWWNM founder. Cole works with state Centers for the Book in all 50 states. (For details see News & Updates.)

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.

TOP OF THE LINE: Jim Leach, Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Washington, D.C., shares ideas with Janice Law for the American Women Writers National Museum.