Society of Women Writers and 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]

The society began publishing a thrice yearly house magazine, Woman Journalist, in 1910.[3] The society adopted its current name in 1954.[3] Its title was changed to Woman Writer in 2000.[3]

Men who are published writers can now join the society as associate members.[1]

  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. ^ 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.