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Society of Women Writers and Journalists

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Society of Women Writers and Journalists
AbbreviationSWWJ
Formation1 May 1894; 131 years ago (1894-05-01)
FounderJ. S. Wood
TypeLearned society
HeadquartersPolegate, East Sussex
Location
President
The Baroness Benjamin OM DBE DL
Vice Presidents
  • Pamela Birley
  • Doris Corti
  • Valerie Dunmore
  • Barbara Field-Holmes
  • Sylvia Kent
  • Mary Rensten
  • Doreen Friend
  • Pamela Payne
  • Benita Cullingford
Patrons
Affiliations
WebsiteOfficial website
Formerly called
Society of Women Journalists

Society of Women Writers & Journalists (SWWJ) is a British learned society for professional women writers.[1]

The society's aims include the "encouragement of literary achievement, the upholding of professional standards, and social contact with fellow writers and others in the field".[1] It was founded as the Society of Women Journalists in 1894 by J. S. Wood, the editor of The Gentlewoman. Original members included Mary Frances Billington, Lady Colin Campbell, Mrs. Frank Leslie, Henrietta Stannard, Charlotte O'Conor Eccles, Marie Belloc, Madeline Greenwood, Lady Violet Grevile, and Mrs. Jack Johnson. Charlotte Humphry was the organisation's first president. Rita Shell served as vice-president,[2] and later Constance Hoster.[3]

The society began publishing a thrice yearly house magazine, Woman Journalist, in 1910.[4] The society adopted its current name in 1954.[4] The magazine's title was changed to Woman Writer in 2000.[4]

Since 2004, men who are published writers have been able to join the society as associate members.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Society of Women Writers & Journalists – History". Society of Women Writers & Journalists. Archived from the original on 14 July 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  2. ^ "Miss Rita Shell". The Daily Telegraph. 10 November 1950. p. 11. Retrieved 6 September 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Mrs. Constance Hoster – Employment of Educated Women" (obituary), The Times, 3 June 1939
  4. ^ a b c Peter Gordon; David Doughan (1 April 2001). Dictionary of British Women's Organisations: 1825–1960. Routledge. pp. 135–. ISBN 978-0-7130-4045-6. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
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