Kentucky Women Writers Conference: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Oates head shot.jpg|thumb|[[Joyce Carol Oates]] will be the keynote presenter at the 29th Kentucky Women Writers Conference]] |
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The '''Kentucky''' '''Women Writers Conference''' had its beginnings in 1979<ref>{{cite news|title=Food writer Ruth Reichl will speak at Kentucky Women Writers Conference|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2011/12/10/1989169/food-writer-ruth-reichle-will.html|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|date=December 10, 2011}}</ref> as a celebration of women writers at the [[University of Kentucky]] (UK). That first year featured [[Maya Angelou]], [[Toni Cade Bambara]], [[Ruth Stone]], [[Alice Walker]], and [[Ruth Whitman]]. Since then, it has become the longest-running annual festival of women writers in the US. |
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UK History faculty Nancy Dye had suggested using surplus funds from Undergraduate Studies to bring women writers to campus. A 16-member committee from the departments of English, Honors, Undergraduate Studies, and Special Collections, along with members of the Lexington community, produced the conference. In 1984–1985 the conference was directed by UK English faculty Jane Gentry Vance, who later served as Kentucky's Poet Laureate. |
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'''The Kentucky Women Writers Conference''' is an annual gathering of writers and readers in Lexington. Founded in 1979 by the [[University of Kentucky]], it is the longest running event of its kind in the United States and the only yearly conference featuring contemporary writers, exclusively women, in a series of workshops, discussions, and readings. |
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In 1985–1993, the conference was affiliated with Continuing Education for Women/University Extension and directed by Betty Gabehart. In 1994–1996, the conference was affiliated with the Women's Studies Program and directed by Jan Oaks, faculty in English and Gender and Women's Studies. In 1997, former Conference assistant Patti DeYoung served as director. |
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The next Kentucky Women Writers Conference will be held September 11–13, 2008, and will feature [[Joyce Carol Oates]], [[Natasha Trethewey]], Ginger Strand, Lisa Williams, Samantha Thornhill, Jennifer Sahn, and four others TBA. Fees are $150 for two days, $75 for one day, $60 for students. Visit our website by clicking on the reference here ( [http://www.thewomenwritersconference.org] )or by clicking on "Official Site" at the bottom of this page. |
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In 1998, the conference lost university funding when it was unable to find a sponsoring department, and its advisory board established itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its new home became the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning in downtown Lexington, and it was renamed the Kentucky Women Writers Conference. Its director during those years, 1998–2002, was Jan Isenhour, also director of the Carnegie Center, and its work was carried out by a volunteer board. |
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Workshops are offered in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and children’s literature, with a rotating selection of topics including memoir, environmental writing, sportswriting, travel writing, screenwriting, and playwriting. The Invitational Gypsy Slam features a competition for spoken word artists. The Betty Gabehart Prize is awarded in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. |
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In 2002, President Lee Todd reinstated support for the conference to demonstrate the university's commitment to women's programming and community events. Since then, the Conference leadership has continued cultivating wide community support through many partnerships and the committed efforts of its board and volunteers. UK provides staff salaries, office space, and the majority of KWWC's operating expenses. Financial support from the [[Kentucky Foundation for Women]], LexArts, the [[Kentucky Arts Council]], the [[Kentucky Humanities Council]], businesses, and individual patrons remains critical to our ability to attract writers of the highest caliber. |
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Lexington features a vibrant historic downtown surrounded by horse farms, bluegrass music, and bourbon distilleries ([http://www.visitlex.com]). Classrooms are at the Carnegie Center for Literary and Learning, the [[Lexington Public Library]], and the campuses of the [[University of Kentucky]] and [[Transylvania University]]. |
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Directors since then have been Brenda Weber (2003) and Rebecca Gayle Howell (2004–2006). Howell launched several free community events that have become signature offerings of the conference, including the Gypsy Slam, the [[Sonia Sanchez]] Series, and the Hardwick/Jones keynote reading on mentorship and collaboration. In 2007, Julie Kuzneski Wrinn became Conference director. The 38th annual conference was held September 15–16, 2017 in [[Lexington, Kentucky]]. |
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Authors featured over the past three decades include U.S. Poet Laureates Gwendolyn Brooks, Rita Dove, and Louise Glück, along with other such luminaries as [[Alice Walker]], [[Maya Angelou]], [[Marge Piercy]], [[Adrienne Rich]], [[Margaret Atwood]], [[Ntozake Shange]], [[Nikki Giovanni]], [[Bobbie Ann Mason]], [[Rita Mae Brown]], [[Lee Smith]], [[Barbara Kingsolver]], [[Sonia Sanchez]], [[Grace Paley]], Jane Anne Phillips, [[Dorothy Allison]], [[bell hooks]], [[Isabel Allende]], [[Julia Alvarez]], [[Kim Edwards]], [[Elizabeth Nunez]], [[Vandana Shiva]], [[Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni]], [[Patricia Smith]], [[Sarah Vowell]], and [[Naomi Shihab Nye]]. |
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==References== |
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Gloria Steinem taught there in 1987 and commented: “I send my congratulations to the Women Writers Conference for helping women to find voice, confidence, and skill. Thanks to you, common dreams and unique talents are being heard in the world. I remember my time there as one of warmth, encouragement, and strong local voices. I only wish something like this had been part of my earlier life.” |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [https://www.kentuckywomenwriters.org/ Official website] |
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[[Category:Organizations for women writers]] |
[[Category:Organizations for women writers]] |
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[[Category:American writers' organizations]] |
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[[Category:Arts organizations based in Kentucky]] |
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[[Category:History of women in Kentucky]] |
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[[Category:Arts organizations established in 1979]] |
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[[Category:1979 establishments in Kentucky]] |
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Latest revision as of 19:25, 27 April 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2015) |
The Kentucky Women Writers Conference had its beginnings in 1979[1] as a celebration of women writers at the University of Kentucky (UK). That first year featured Maya Angelou, Toni Cade Bambara, Ruth Stone, Alice Walker, and Ruth Whitman. Since then, it has become the longest-running annual festival of women writers in the US.
UK History faculty Nancy Dye had suggested using surplus funds from Undergraduate Studies to bring women writers to campus. A 16-member committee from the departments of English, Honors, Undergraduate Studies, and Special Collections, along with members of the Lexington community, produced the conference. In 1984–1985 the conference was directed by UK English faculty Jane Gentry Vance, who later served as Kentucky's Poet Laureate.
In 1985–1993, the conference was affiliated with Continuing Education for Women/University Extension and directed by Betty Gabehart. In 1994–1996, the conference was affiliated with the Women's Studies Program and directed by Jan Oaks, faculty in English and Gender and Women's Studies. In 1997, former Conference assistant Patti DeYoung served as director.
In 1998, the conference lost university funding when it was unable to find a sponsoring department, and its advisory board established itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its new home became the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning in downtown Lexington, and it was renamed the Kentucky Women Writers Conference. Its director during those years, 1998–2002, was Jan Isenhour, also director of the Carnegie Center, and its work was carried out by a volunteer board.
In 2002, President Lee Todd reinstated support for the conference to demonstrate the university's commitment to women's programming and community events. Since then, the Conference leadership has continued cultivating wide community support through many partnerships and the committed efforts of its board and volunteers. UK provides staff salaries, office space, and the majority of KWWC's operating expenses. Financial support from the Kentucky Foundation for Women, LexArts, the Kentucky Arts Council, the Kentucky Humanities Council, businesses, and individual patrons remains critical to our ability to attract writers of the highest caliber.
Directors since then have been Brenda Weber (2003) and Rebecca Gayle Howell (2004–2006). Howell launched several free community events that have become signature offerings of the conference, including the Gypsy Slam, the Sonia Sanchez Series, and the Hardwick/Jones keynote reading on mentorship and collaboration. In 2007, Julie Kuzneski Wrinn became Conference director. The 38th annual conference was held September 15–16, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky.
References
[edit]- ^ "Food writer Ruth Reichl will speak at Kentucky Women Writers Conference". Lexington Herald-Leader. December 10, 2011.