Women Writers Conference
The Kentucky women writers conference came into existence 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 addressed the longest annual festival of women writers in the country, showcasing the talents and issues by established and emerging writers.
British History faculty Nancy Dye has proposed the use of surplus funds from undergraduate studies to women writers to bring the campus. A 16-committee of the departments of English, honors, Undergraduate Studies, and Special Collections, along with members of the Lexington community, the conference. In 1984-1985, the conference directed by British English faculty Jane Gentry Vance, who served as Kentucky’s poet laureate.
In 1985-1993, the conference was related to Continuing Education for Women / University Extension and directed by Betty Gabehart. As longest director of the conference’s Gabehart made significant contributions to the lasting legacy and stability, establishing many of the reputation it enjoys today. In 1994-1996, the conference was affiliated with the Women’s Studies Program and directed by John Oaks, faculty in English and Gender and Women’s Studies. In 1997, the former Conference assistant Patti DeYoung served as director.
In 1998 lost the conference university funding when it was unable to find a sponsor department, and its advisory board established itself as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. His new home is the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning in downtown Lexington and renamed the Kentucky women writers conference. The director during those years, 1998-2002, Jan Isenhour, also director of the Carnegie Center, and his work has been performed worn by a volunteer board.
In 2002 again President Lee Todd support for the conference to the University’s commitment to women’s development and community events demonstrate. Since then, continued the conference leadership culture wide support community through many partnerships and the dedicated efforts of its board and volunteers. UK offers staff salaries, office space, and the majority of operating expenses KWWC’s. Financial support from the Kentucky Foundation for Women , LexArts, the Board Kentucky Art, the Kentucky Humanities Council , businesses and individual customers remains critical to our ability to writers of the highest caliber attract.
Directors since Brenda Weber (2003) and Rebecca Gayle Howell (2004-06) was. Howell launched a few free community events signature offerings of the conference, including the Gypsy Slam, has become the Sonia Sanchez series, and Hardwick / Jones main reason reading on mentoring and cooperation. In 2007, Julie Kuzneski Wrinn became conference director. The 36th Annual Conference will be held September 12-13, 2014 in Lexington, Kentucky.