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New Zealand Women Writers' Society

November 02, 2023

The New Zealand Women Writers' Society (NZWWS), originally named the New Zealand Women Writers' and Artists' Society, was founded on 11 July 1932 in Wellington. Until its dissolution in July 1991, the NZWWS supported and encouraged women writers in New Zealand. Its activities included running writing competitions, publication of a regular newsletter, hosting events and courses, advising members on the publishing process, and publishing journals and anthologies of members' work.

New Zealand Women Writers' Society
AbbreviationNZWWS
Formation11 July 1932 (1932-07-11)
Founded atWellington, New Zealand
DissolvedJuly 1991; 32 years ago (1991-07)
TypeIncorporated society
PurposeSupporting women writers in New Zealand
HeadquartersWellington, New Zealand

History edit

The NZWWS was founded by Nellie Donovan-Hair, then aged 18, who arranged the first meeting at the YWCA clubrooms in Wellington. She later said she "had always wanted to write, but found few outlets, and I wanted to meet other young women who had the same ambitions".[1][2] The first meeting was chaired by male journalist and supporter Pat Lawlor (who would in 1977 serve as the first male vice-president of the organisation).[1][2][3][4] 48 foundation members joined at or within a month of that first meeting.[1][2] Donovan-Hair was appointed as secretary and treasurer, with Nellie Coad appointed as the first president.[5][4] Within five months of the first meeting, the society ran its first literary competition for prose and poetry, with Senior and Junior (under 21) categories.[6]

The NZWWS grew to 102 members in 1941, to 239 members in 1961, and to 295 members in 1979. Branches were founded in Auckland, Waikato and Hawke's Bay after the 1950s, with some informal associated groups existing in other parts of New Zealand. The NZWWS published a monthly newspaper, called The Bulletin from 1951 onwards, which included writing competitions and provided members with information about the publishing process and literary markets.[1][2][7] The NZWWS published magazines of members' work, first in April 1934 under the title Women Writers' and Artists' Journal; a review in The Dominion newspaper commented that the work deserved wider circulation and congratulations, albeit "more for the promise they show of better things to come in the future than for any intrinsic merit they possess".[8] It also published five issues of a journal called The Quill in the 1930s and 1940s.[1][9][10] A review of the 1938 issue of The Quill by The New Zealand Herald called it a "decided credit to the society" which "provides some very pleasant reading".[11]

The years of World War II were challenging for the society, with members resigning to support the war effort and a number of local magazines being closed down. The society was however able to host an evening at the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition in March 1941.[12][13] In 1947 the society became incorporated,[14] and in 1949 it became affiliated with the Society of Women Writers and Journalists in the United Kingdom.[15][7] In 1954, an anthology of poems was published to mark the 21st anniversary of the society.[1][9] Evening Post commented that "disciplined technique has in several instances saved poems from mediocrity", but recommended the book for the "originality of its scope and conception".[16]

From 1957 the NZWWS ran writing courses together with adult education providers; until the 1980s most lecturers of these courses were men.[1][2] The NZWWS also made submissions to government on behalf of women writers, for example opposing copyright legislation which would disadvantage women who did not publish under their married names.[1][9][17] In 1959 the NZWWS worked with the Bank of New Zealand to establish and organise the Katherine Mansfield Memorial Award, named for New Zealand writer Katherine Mansfield.[18] This award continued after the society wound up in 1991, administered by a newly established committee.[19] The NZWWS also assisted the Alexander Turnbull Library to purchase Mansfield's original manuscripts,[19][20] and administered the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship in its first year of establishment.[21][22]

In the 1970s the NZWWS began to find itself in financial difficulties due to increases in costs. In 1976 The Bulletin was reduced to six issues per year, and it had to be supported by grants from the Todd Foundation and the Department of Internal Affairs.[1][23] Monetary prizes for competition entries had to be reduced or eliminated.[24] In the early 1980s, an anthology of members' work was published, along with a book of its history, to mark the fifty-year anniversary, and a Christchurch branch was established.[1][23] At that time, the society's library contained 315 books by members, and it was noted that "many more have been published but have not been offered to our library".[25] In 1989 the Auckland and Hawkes Bay branches went into recess, and after relaxing membership criteria failed to increase membership sufficiently, the society was disestablished in July 1991.[1][23]

Membership edit

Most of the original members of the NZWWS were young single women; later, members tended to be aged between 30 and 50, and worked as journalists, teachers, office workers or farmers. Originally members included both artists and writers, although writers soon outnumbered artists, and in 1954 (in view of the fact that all artist members at the time were also writers) "and Artists" was dropped from the society's name.[1][2][26] Full membership (which included rights to vote and hold office) required published work and approval by a committee, while associate members only had to be nominated by a full member.[1][2][7] Men were not permitted to join, despite suggestions as early as 1933 that the society should not be segregated,[8] and from 1944 were permitted to attend meetings occasionally as visitors.[1][2]

In 1960 it was estimated that 68 percent of members were based outside New Zealand's main cities, with the society and its publications enabling their connection to other women writers throughout the country.[1][9][27]

Notable members included:

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Else, Anne. "New Zealand Women Writers' Society". New Zealand History. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Else 1993, p. 459.
  3. ^ Broughton, W.S. "Lawlor, Patrick Anthony". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Writers and Artists: Women's Organisation". The Evening Post. 12 July 1932. p. 11. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  5. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 4.
  6. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 34.
  7. ^ a b c Croker, Olivia Rita. "NEW ZEALAND WOMEN WRITERS' SOCIETY (Inc.)". An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand 1966. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  8. ^ a b France et al. 1984, p. 36.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Else 1993, p. 460.
  10. ^ Hayward & Cowley 1982, p. 9.
  11. ^ "The Quill". The New Zealand Herald. 12 February 1938. p. 4 (supplement). Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  12. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 42.
  13. ^ Hayward & Cowley 1982, p. 13.
  14. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 57.
  15. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 65.
  16. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 107.
  17. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 178.
  18. ^ Hamilton, Stephen (1997). "Recognition, and rewards of success". Book & Print in New Zealand : A Guide to Print Culture in Aotearoa. Wellington, NZ: Victoria University Press. ISBN 0-86473-331-3. from the original on 5 February 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  19. ^ a b c Murray, Heather; Robinson, Roger (2006). "New Zealand Women Writers' Society". In Robinson, Roger; Wattie, Nelson (eds.). The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Literature. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780195583489.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-1917-3519-6. OCLC 865265749. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  20. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 216.
  21. ^ "N.Z. Writer Award". The Press. 4 November 1970. p. 12. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  22. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 220.
  23. ^ a b c d Else 1993, p. 461.
  24. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 285.
  25. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 70.
  26. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 77.
  27. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 103.
  28. ^ a b c France et al. 1984, p. 99.
  29. ^ "Writer Entertained: Mrs E. D. M. Doust". Auckland Star. 30 July 1938. p. 16. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  30. ^ Hughes, Beryl. "Nellie Euphemia Coad". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  31. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 100.
  32. ^ a b "Women Writers in N.Z.: Silver Jubilee of Society". The Press. 13 July 1957. p. 2. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  33. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 254.
  34. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 250.
  35. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 160.
  36. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 159.
  37. ^ "Centennial Play Competition". The Press. 19 October 1956. p. 3. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  38. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 164.
  39. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 88.
  40. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 52.
  41. ^ Neale, Pauline; Robinson, Roger (2006). "Sanderson, Nora". In Robinson, Roger; Wattie, Nelson (eds.). The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Literature. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780195583489.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-1917-3519-6. OCLC 865265749. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  42. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 96–97.
  43. ^ France et al. 1984, p. 89.

Bibliography edit

  • Else, Anne (1993). Women Together, A History of Women's Organisations in New Zealand. Wellington: Daphne Brasell Associates Press. ISBN 978-0-9088-9629-5. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  • France, Thelma; Quinn, Hestia; Henden, Roma; Ashforth, Isobelle, eds. (1984). History of the New Zealand Women Writers' Society, 1932–1982. Wellington: The New Zealand Women Writers' Society. ISBN 0-9597705-0-X. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  • Hayward, Margaret; Cowley, Joy, eds. (1982). Women Writers of NZ 1932–1982, Jubilee History and Writings of the New Zealand Women Writers' Society. Wellington: Colonial Associates. ISBN 0-9597585-4-2.

November 02, 2023
zealand, women, writers, society, nzwws, originally, named, zealand, women, writers, artists, society, founded, july, 1932, wellington, until, dissolution, july, 1991, nzwws, supported, encouraged, women, writers, zealand, activities, included, running, writin. The New Zealand Women Writers Society NZWWS originally named the New Zealand Women Writers and Artists Society was founded on 11 July 1932 in Wellington Until its dissolution in July 1991 the NZWWS supported and encouraged women writers in New Zealand Its activities included running writing competitions publication of a regular newsletter hosting events and courses advising members on the publishing process and publishing journals and anthologies of members work New Zealand Women Writers SocietyAbbreviationNZWWSFormation11 July 1932 1932 07 11 Founded atWellington New ZealandDissolvedJuly 1991 32 years ago 1991 07 TypeIncorporated societyPurposeSupporting women writers in New ZealandHeadquartersWellington New Zealand Contents 1 History 2 Membership 3 See also 4 References 5 BibliographyHistory editThe NZWWS was founded by Nellie Donovan Hair then aged 18 who arranged the first meeting at the YWCA clubrooms in Wellington She later said she had always wanted to write but found few outlets and I wanted to meet other young women who had the same ambitions 1 2 The first meeting was chaired by male journalist and supporter Pat Lawlor who would in 1977 serve as the first male vice president of the organisation 1 2 3 4 48 foundation members joined at or within a month of that first meeting 1 2 Donovan Hair was appointed as secretary and treasurer with Nellie Coad appointed as the first president 5 4 Within five months of the first meeting the society ran its first literary competition for prose and poetry with Senior and Junior under 21 categories 6 The NZWWS grew to 102 members in 1941 to 239 members in 1961 and to 295 members in 1979 Branches were founded in Auckland Waikato and Hawke s Bay after the 1950s with some informal associated groups existing in other parts of New Zealand The NZWWS published a monthly newspaper called The Bulletin from 1951 onwards which included writing competitions and provided members with information about the publishing process and literary markets 1 2 7 The NZWWS published magazines of members work first in April 1934 under the title Women Writers and Artists Journal a review in The Dominion newspaper commented that the work deserved wider circulation and congratulations albeit more for the promise they show of better things to come in the future than for any intrinsic merit they possess 8 It also published five issues of a journal called The Quill in the 1930s and 1940s 1 9 10 A review of the 1938 issue of The Quill by The New Zealand Herald called it a decided credit to the society which provides some very pleasant reading 11 The years of World War II were challenging for the society with members resigning to support the war effort and a number of local magazines being closed down The society was however able to host an evening at the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition in March 1941 12 13 In 1947 the society became incorporated 14 and in 1949 it became affiliated with the Society of Women Writers and Journalists in the United Kingdom 15 7 In 1954 an anthology of poems was published to mark the 21st anniversary of the society 1 9 Evening Post commented that disciplined technique has in several instances saved poems from mediocrity but recommended the book for the originality of its scope and conception 16 From 1957 the NZWWS ran writing courses together with adult education providers until the 1980s most lecturers of these courses were men 1 2 The NZWWS also made submissions to government on behalf of women writers for example opposing copyright legislation which would disadvantage women who did not publish under their married names 1 9 17 In 1959 the NZWWS worked with the Bank of New Zealand to establish and organise the Katherine Mansfield Memorial Award named for New Zealand writer Katherine Mansfield 18 This award continued after the society wound up in 1991 administered by a newly established committee 19 The NZWWS also assisted the Alexander Turnbull Library to purchase Mansfield s original manuscripts 19 20 and administered the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship in its first year of establishment 21 22 In the 1970s the NZWWS began to find itself in financial difficulties due to increases in costs In 1976 The Bulletin was reduced to six issues per year and it had to be supported by grants from the Todd Foundation and the Department of Internal Affairs 1 23 Monetary prizes for competition entries had to be reduced or eliminated 24 In the early 1980s an anthology of members work was published along with a book of its history to mark the fifty year anniversary and a Christchurch branch was established 1 23 At that time the society s library contained 315 books by members and it was noted that many more have been published but have not been offered to our library 25 In 1989 the Auckland and Hawkes Bay branches went into recess and after relaxing membership criteria failed to increase membership sufficiently the society was disestablished in July 1991 1 23 Membership editMost of the original members of the NZWWS were young single women later members tended to be aged between 30 and 50 and worked as journalists teachers office workers or farmers Originally members included both artists and writers although writers soon outnumbered artists and in 1954 in view of the fact that all artist members at the time were also writers and Artists was dropped from the society s name 1 2 26 Full membership which included rights to vote and hold office required published work and approval by a committee while associate members only had to be nominated by a full member 1 2 7 Men were not permitted to join despite suggestions as early as 1933 that the society should not be segregated 8 and from 1944 were permitted to attend meetings occasionally as visitors 1 2 In 1960 it was estimated that 68 percent of members were based outside New Zealand s main cities with the society and its publications enabling their connection to other women writers throughout the country 1 9 27 Notable members included Avis Acres member 1950s onwards 28 Kate Andersen founding committee member and president from 1935 to 1937 1 4 2 Isobel Andrews founding committee member and later vice president 1 4 2 29 Nellie Coad founding president 1932 1934 30 Joy Cowley member from 1960 onwards and editor of anthology 1 2 31 Alison Drummond member in the 1950s 32 Eileen Duggan founding vice president 4 Lauris Edmond member in 1980s 33 Janet Frame honorary vice president from 1974 34 Ruth France member from 1962 to 1968 35 Ivy Gibbs founding committee member 4 Ruth Gilbert president and honorary vice president 19 Alice Glenday member from 1956 28 Patricia Grace member in the 1970s 36 Keri Hulme honorary vice president 1987 1 9 Stella Jones member in the 1950s 37 Elsie Locke member from 1964 to 1969 38 Jessie Mackay founding vice president 4 Jane Mander founding vice president 4 Ngaio Marsh honorary vice president from 1954 39 Celia Manson president from 1970 to 1972 40 Elsie K Morton founding vice president 4 Nora Sanderson member from 1953 to 1975 41 42 Nelle Scanlan founding vice president 1 9 Mary Scott member from 1957 to 1966 28 Joan Stevens honorary vice president from 1961 43 Helen Wilson founding member of the Waikato branch in 1952 32 Renee member of the Hawke s Bay group from 1957 to 1979 1 23 See also editList of New Zealand women writers New Zealand literatureReferences edit a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Else Anne New Zealand Women Writers Society New Zealand History Retrieved 21 July 2022 a b c d e f g h i j k Else 1993 p 459 Broughton W S Lawlor Patrick Anthony Dictionary of New Zealand Biography Ministry for Culture and Heritage Retrieved 12 July 2022 a b c d e f g h i Writers and Artists Women s Organisation The Evening Post 12 July 1932 p 11 Retrieved 26 July 2022 France et al 1984 p 4 France et al 1984 p 34 a b c Croker Olivia Rita NEW ZEALAND WOMEN WRITERS SOCIETY Inc An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand 1966 Retrieved 21 July 2022 a b France et al 1984 p 36 a b c d e f Else 1993 p 460 Hayward amp Cowley 1982 p 9 The Quill The New Zealand Herald 12 February 1938 p 4 supplement Retrieved 21 July 2022 France et al 1984 p 42 Hayward amp Cowley 1982 p 13 France et al 1984 p 57 France et al 1984 p 65 France et al 1984 p 107 France et al 1984 p 178 Hamilton Stephen 1997 Recognition and rewards of success Book amp Print in New Zealand A Guide to Print Culture in Aotearoa Wellington NZ Victoria University Press ISBN 0 86473 331 3 Archived from the original on 5 February 2018 Retrieved 29 September 2021 a b c Murray Heather Robinson Roger 2006 New Zealand Women Writers Society In Robinson Roger Wattie Nelson eds The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Literature Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 acref 9780195583489 001 0001 ISBN 978 0 1917 3519 6 OCLC 865265749 Retrieved 21 July 2022 France et al 1984 p 216 N Z Writer Award The Press 4 November 1970 p 12 Retrieved 21 July 2022 France et al 1984 p 220 a b c d Else 1993 p 461 France et al 1984 p 285 France et al 1984 p 70 France et al 1984 p 77 France et al 1984 p 103 a b c France et al 1984 p 99 Writer Entertained Mrs E D M Doust Auckland Star 30 July 1938 p 16 Retrieved 21 July 2022 Hughes Beryl Nellie Euphemia Coad Dictionary of New Zealand Biography Ministry for Culture and Heritage Retrieved 3 January 2021 France et al 1984 p 100 a b Women Writers in N Z Silver Jubilee of Society The Press 13 July 1957 p 2 Retrieved 21 July 2022 France et al 1984 p 254 France et al 1984 p 250 France et al 1984 p 160 France et al 1984 p 159 Centennial Play Competition The Press 19 October 1956 p 3 Retrieved 21 July 2022 France et al 1984 p 164 France et al 1984 p 88 France et al 1984 p 52 Neale Pauline Robinson Roger 2006 Sanderson Nora In Robinson Roger Wattie Nelson eds The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Literature Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 acref 9780195583489 001 0001 ISBN 978 0 1917 3519 6 OCLC 865265749 Retrieved 22 June 2023 France et al 1984 p 96 97 France et al 1984 p 89 Bibliography editElse Anne 1993 Women Together A History of Women s Organisations in New Zealand Wellington Daphne Brasell Associates Press ISBN 978 0 9088 9629 5 Retrieved 21 July 2022 France Thelma Quinn Hestia Henden Roma Ashforth Isobelle eds 1984 History of the New Zealand Women Writers Society 1932 1982 Wellington The New Zealand Women Writers Society ISBN 0 9597705 0 X Retrieved 21 July 2022 Hayward Margaret Cowley Joy eds 1982 Women Writers of NZ 1932 1982 Jubilee History and Writings of the New Zealand Women Writers Society Wellington Colonial Associates ISBN 0 9597585 4 2 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title New Zealand Women Writers 27 Society amp oldid 1177405050, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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