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American Women Writers National Museum
 Posted by Amanda Brice Feb 16 2012, 12:01 am in American Women Writers, American Women Writers National Museum, Janice Law, Nora Roberts This past Monday (February 13, 2012), I had the opportunity to attend the launch of what looks to be a very exciting venue celebrating our nation’s women writers, the American Women Writers National Museum. Founded by former Texas judge Janice Law, the AWWNM will feature the most distinguished writers in a variety of genres in permanent displays, as well as doing rotating weekly exhibits focusing on each state’s literary heritage. She is partnering with the Library of Congress Center for the Book to bring in displays from each of the 50 state library associations, one per week for a year. This is the purpose of the museum, in her own words:
“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.” Go ladies!
As with any start-up, the AWWNM is in temporary digs, sharing a space with another organization. In a city with world-class museums, it takes a lot to stand out, so Janice plans to emphasize programming, electronic information, and literary events over amassing a collection of “stuff.” In a way, you could argue that’s appropriate in an era known as the “e-book revolution.” Janice says, “I’m organizing a week at AWWNM for each of the 50 states to feature women writers from that state. With budget cuts, many can’t travel to D.C. But I will feature posters and other materials from that state, and try to host at least one event that week for ex-pats, Congress members and others to celebrate. Women I spoke with at state Center for the Book affiliates are extremely enthusiastic.” The driving force behind the museum is the fact that “gifted American women sometimes were overshadowed by male writers–not in creativity and skill, but in public visibility and recognition.” It’s perhaps ironic, then, that one of the museum’s very first programs will be a talk from a male author on the topic of men writing from a female perspective. John Dedakis, CNN Senior Copy Editor and author of a mystery series featuring a female protagonist, will be talking about his experiences. As president of WRW, I’ve been asked to sit on the panel with him to provide a sort of counterpoint from the perspective of a woman writer — is it a good thing for a man to write a woman’s POV, etc. Should be interesting! When you meet Janice, her enthusiasm for the project is contagious. It’s obvious she really wants to do programming that is relevant and that shines a spotlight on women’s talents. She also wants to make certain that sometimes-overlooked writers get the attention they deserve, so when I mentioned this blog to her she asked me to ask our Ruby Readers to nominate women writers from their own states to be highlighted in the 50 State Project. So which authors would you nominate? Remember, this goes across all forms of writing — novelists, poets, playwrights, journalists, screenwriters, etc. Here are some pics from the opening: Associate Librarian of the Library of Congress, Roberta Shaffer, gives opening remarks
Janice Law dances with her husband to the tunes of the Salvation Army brass band
Amanda Brice poses with her 2-month-old, as well as 2011 Golden Heart winner (Romantic Suspense) Diana Belchase
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I met Janice in October, back when I was hugely pregnant. I’m the president of Washington Romance Writers, so I chatted with her about the contributions of the heavyweights of our genre. Sometime after that visit she met with Nora Roberts, who as you probably know is a big supporter of literary charities. Janice jokes that she’s now a huge romance fan because after she put up a photo of her with Nora on the museum’s website, the hits exploded! (A good thing for a start-up non-profit charity that’s undergoing extensive fundraising to get the program off the ground.)
Wow, what a fabulous endeavor! I’d love to visit one day, and when I make it back up to DC, I will put it on my list. So here are some wonderful female Louisiana writers:
Kate Chopin – novelist
Dorothy Dix – columnist
Mary Alice Fontenot – children’s author
Lillian Hellman – playwright
Faith Hunter – novelist
Frances Parkinson Keyes – novelist
Grace King – writer and essayist
Anne Rice – novelist
Cokie Roberts – news columnist
Kimbery Willis Holt – children’s author
Rebecca Wells – novelist
Jennifer Blake – romance novelist
Joanna Wayne – romance novelist
Many more romance novelists in Louisiana, including me, Lenora Worth, Beth Cornelison, Connie Cox, Winnie Griggs, and Cora Zane from my chapter.
Wonderful undertaking!
Ooh, great choices! Louisiana definitely has a rich literary heritage.
I think I just read that Jennifer Blake is going indie…sorry for that useless aside, just saw her name and thought of it.
She is. I think she formed her own publishing company to put out much of her backlist. She’s got a lot of them and people still love them.
I do!!
Jennifer Blake thought of a few more to take on for Louisiana (can you tell I love my state?)
A few women writers from Louisiana not on your list:
Shirley Ann Grau was a 70s era Pulitzer prize winning novelist from New Orleans. Kathleen Woodiwiss was originally from Louisiana, had family near Alexandria, and lived in the state for several years. Then there’s Erica Spindler and a host of others who belong to SOLA
Liz, they should hire you to curate the Louisiana exhibit!
That list is amazing. So varied and such great writers!
How exciting, and so glad she’s now a romance fan! I, of course, being a long time GWTW fan, think Margaret Mitchell needs to be in there as she captured the old south so well.
Oh, yes, Margaret Mitchell!! Definitely someone to honor. Though from the looks of the museum website, which has an image of Rhett and Scarlett right at the top, I think they’ve already got her in mind!
Oh yes, Margaret Mitchell is already being featured.
How wonderful, Amanda. Thanks for telling us about this.
My nominees would be
LaVyrle Spencer, novelist
Rosemary Rogers, novelist
Kathleen E. Woodweiss, novelist
Johanna Lindsey, novelist
Judith McNaught, novelist
Jude Devereaux, novelist
Jayne Ann Krentz novelist
Susan Elizabeth Phillips, novelist
Suzanne Brockmann, novelist
And my last nominee would be for someone RWA is long overdue recognizing as the mother of ‘erotic’ romance, Bertrice Small.
I’m pretty sure I <3 EVERY writer on that list, Laurie. Nice one!
I do!! (sounding like a parrot here, lol)
Great list, Laurie! Most of yours would be on mine too.
Wow, Laurie, you and I have practically the same list. And Lavryle is on the top of mine, too
Ooops! I should read more carefully next time. My list was my favorites, not Pennsylvania writers. From where I live, it would have to be Pearl S. Buck
Wow, how fascinating! I’d love to visit the museum someday. So many names I would nominate…most of them echo Laurie’s list.
What an amazing and noble endeavor!!! From NM, I’d have to nominate:
Celeste Bradley
Diana Gabeldon (who lives here part of the year, I believe)
Anne Hillerman
Laura Kinsale
Pati Nagle
Susan Krinard
So many! I’d have to research to find more. LOL
Um…and Darynda Jones, maybe?
Yeah, you’re up there, baby!
Aw, thanks, Liz!!!! <3
I’m going to have to look into this Amanda. My list of nominees were I not confined to those who live in my state would include Louisa May Alcott & Harriet Beecher Stowe. With Philly having been the capital at our nation’s inception, I would think PA history would be rife with women writers, but at the moment, the only one that comes to mind is a friend to both me and the sisterhood, Madeline Hunter. I have sprints this afternoon, but will try to do a bit of research and get back to you!
Oh, and just to think about poetry!
Emily Dickinson
Sylvia Plath
Gwendolyn Brooks
Maya Angelou
Twentieth century writers:
Edith Wharton
Willa Cather
Zora Neale Hurston
Katherine Anne Porter
Flannery O’ Conner
Alice Walker
Amy Tan
Pearl Buck
We could keep going with all the literary greats, those writers whose stories just rip your heart out…or make you laugh like Flannery O’Conner’s Good Country People. I mean, come on, he stole her prostetic leg!
Looks like Louisa May Alcott can make the Pennsy list; born in Germantown (now part of Philly) although she spent most of her life in MA. Elizabeth Jane Cochrane (aka Nelly Bly), journalist, Apollo, PA (outside Pittsburgh), Pearl S Buck (I should be shot for forgetting this one), Bucks Country PA (where her home is still open for tours outside Dublin), Margaret Mead is a Philly girl, too. Eve Merriam, poet & writer, Maxine Kumin, Bebe Moore, Campbell, Lorene Cary, all Philly girls.
Excellent list!
I love the 50 States idea, but coming from a young state with a historically low female population, I don’t know how many nominees we’re gonna have from Alaska. Here’s the one I can think of: Dana Stabenow.
And Vivi Andrews!
she’s got my vote
LOL. Thanks, ladies, but I’m pretty sure I don’t count as distinguished.
These susggestions are great. Keep ‘em coming! I’m passing this link on to Janice Law, and I know she’ll be thrilled to see them all.
Great post.
I’m curious is the AWWNM near where the National Womens Museum is being built?
Florida authors
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.
Suzanne Brockman
Nancy Haddock
Alyssa Day
Love the photo of us with your little guy, Amanda! He’s such a sweet heart. The day was wonderful. Great big kudos to Janice Law for doing this. I have so many favorite authors, and Amanda Brice is on my list!
Hugs,
Diana Belchase
http://www.DianaBelchase.com
PS I’m blogging today on KissandThrill.com with Nina Bruhns, author of 25 romantic suspense novels, multi-awarded best seller. She’ll be telling us about her Entangled Books imprint and what she learned after winning the Golden heart two times. Please stop by, leave a comment and be entered to win a free Nina Bruhns book.
I’m kicking myself. I got so wrapped up in work on Monday that I completely forgot to come over there at lunch time. And my office is only a couple of blocks away. Darn.
As for writers. Many of my fave romance authors have been mentioned already. I would add the following:
Mainstream American Writers:
Edna Ferber
Harper Lee
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Science Fiction/Fantasy:
Marion Zimmer Bradley
Katharine Kurtz (who is an American but lives in Ireland)
Ann McCaffrey (Also and American, who lived in Ireland for the last part of her life.)
I’ll second those last two, Hope. Love them both!
What a cool project! Thanks for sharing this, Amanda. For Ohio, the obvious choices must include Toni Morrison, and a late, fellow Daytonian: Erma Bombeck. Of course, as a romance reader and writer, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Jennifer Crusie and Lori Foster!