HISTORY

The Festival of Women Authors had its beginning in Long Beach, California in 1982. It was created when two women, Harriet Williams and Virginia Laddey were appalled to discover the scarcity of women authors represented in the reading lists of local high schools. They decided to alter the imbalance by creating a festival showcasing women authors.

With a committee of women from fifteen other community groups, they designed a festival that brought the best of contemporary women writers to an eager audience.

MISSION

• To make accessible to a wide-ranging audience of avid readers the work of outstanding contemporary women authors.
• To encourage new writers of talent and promise.
• To celebrate the value of literature in the lives of future readers.