Estimates indicate that women purchase 70% of books sold in America. Women drive Broadway shows -- comprising 62% of audiences, and 54% of New York Philharmonic audiences, according to the 3/30/14 NY Times.
   Clearly, women preserve American culture.
   Yet, until now, no national venue existed honoring the collective work of America's premier women writers--historical and contemporary.
  In a writerly continuum from Abigail Adams' (1744-1818) erudite letters to her husband President John Adams (1735-1826)--a riveting eyewitness account of America's political beginnings--to Margaret Munnerlyn Mitchell (1900-1949), Nelle Harper Lee (1926-2016) to the popular contemporary novels of Danielle Steel (1947- ), and the activist poetry of Marguerite Ann Johnson (Maya Angelou) (1928-2014) these American women writers, to name just a few--communicate our culture in eloquent voice.
   To be reminded how eloquent, click on UTube icon on this page, to view AWWNM’s documentary video, filmed on location at Library of Congress, with Americana Curator showing and explaining a sampling of rare books in LOC’s collection by America’s brilliant women writers!
American women not only rode covered wagons, birthed babies, cooked, taught children, healed the sick, enjoyed the romances, and confronted the complexity of their era--they wrote about it all with insight and flair. Gifted women sometimes were overshadowed by men writers--not in creativity and skill, but in public visibility and recognition.
   To feature their talent, The American Women Writers National Museum (AWWNM) opened in Washington, D.C. on February 13, 2012. The intent is to divide material/ programs into journalists, poets, historians, cuisinieres, playwrights, screenwriters, and authors. Interactive displays, rotating exhibits, films, plays, readings, speakers and rental space are planned.
   The prestigious Center for the Book in the Library of Congress has partnered with AWWNM.
   Each month AWWNM honors premier women writers from 4 states. Click on UTube icon on left of this page, to hear readings by gifted women, of the work of other talented women from your state! Print a free state poster on State Meant 4 U! page.
--Judge Janice Law, AWWNM founder

Nan Simpson
"Your Laura Ingalls Wilder speakers were excellent; well-versed in heir respective crafts and well-equipped to answer wide ranging questions. Thank you for planning and producing such a valuable resource for us all."

Ellen Frankel, Librettist
"Words & Music by Note-Worthy Women was a truly memorable AWWNM event, especially giving panelists like me a chance to meet each other, and meet you! May your efforts to establish this museum bear fertile fruit. Thanks for the opportunity to share our (musical) work with others."

AWWNM HOSTS LIBRETTISTS & COMPOSERS: Words & Music by Note-Able Women: L-R Frances McKay, Ellen Frankel, AWWNM founder Janice Law, Janet Peachy, Tamara Cashour, at AWWNM panel.   Lights! CAMERA! – SRO crowd schmoozes at Screenwriters panel. See MORE Screenwriters photos on AWWNM’s Awesome speakers page. SMILING w/EMILY D : L-R Emily Dickinson Scholar Martha Nell Smith; Janice Law, AWWNM Founder; Dickinson Scholar Nelly Lewis Lambert; and Rosemary Plakas, Curator of Rare Americana at the Library of Congress, at AWWNM event on the American Poet. LAURA INGALLS WILDER : Speakers professor Michelle McClellan (seated left) who is completing a book on Wilder sites and Professor Angie Chuang, (at podium) detail how fiction creates our sense of “home.”

AWWNM Into 10th Year!!

David P. Lambert, Senior Vice President, Publicity, New York Stock Exchange (1977-1999)
“Content, panelists, organization of poet Emily Dickinson program was stem to stern World Class. Beautifully done! I usually find something to criticize about everything. But I couldn’t find anything to criticize about your AWWNM event! It was perfect!”

Jennifer Ziegler, Program Director; Writers League of Texas, Austin
“When I receive delightful email invites to your fabulous D.C. programs, I want to lasso D.C. and yank it closer to Austin! I want to hop a chopper and fly to D.C. to attend AWWNM’s high quality programs!”

Connie Armstrong, Executive Director, Oklahoma Center for the Book
"As a result of AWWNM's 50-state Project, in which Oklahoma CFB cosponsored a D.C. program, premier women writers across America are garnering attention on a national stage! Keep up the good work Janice! Thank you! ".

John Paul Myrick, Development Director West Virginia Library Commission
"As a result of your exhaustive efforts, West Virginia women writers received much-needed national recognition. The West Virginia Center for the Book was very proud to work with AWWNM in the 50-state Project! ".

Dr. Thomas Staley, Director,
Ransom Center, University of Texas, Austin:
"Participating as speaker in an AWWNM event was a great pleasure. I enjoyed speaking with the intelligent and engaging individuals who attended. I am very impressed with AWWNM's broad range of programs and activities".

AWWNM FUNDRAISER: L-R: Board member Anne Wakefield, jewelry model Margery Sinclair, Janice Law, store assistant manager Anajanee Sanders, and supporter Melinda Machado at 2019 gala fundraiser in Kendra Scott store, Georgetown.

Larry Guthrie, law librarian;
(on 50-state Project program):
"I often gauge success of Oklahoma events in D.C. if they make you feel you are in Oklahoma again. This was a wonderful success! Your comments were so professional, and the AWWNM program had such depth and professional structure."

Jaydee Pope, 2012
AWWNM summer intern:
"I've discovered that American women writers have affected every facet of the literary world, media and general entertainment. I've always been fascinated by literature. But never did I stop to consider how much my everyday life is enriched by the work of these women. Discovering that American women writers are responsible for my favorite television shows, news articles and even nursery rhymes has given me a new-found respect not only for their work, but for their legacy as well".

AWWNM Playwrights Panel, Washington, D.C. - L-R: Mary Hall Surface; Jennifer Nelson; Renee Calarco; Janice Law, Founder. Click to hear Stellar playwrights describe their craft; plus reps from playwright groups.

HONORING NORA: NYTimes best-selling Nora Roberts, left, has authored more than 190 books, which have sold in excess of 400 million copies worldwide! Janice Law, right, visits about American Women Writers National Museum.

AMERICAN GIRL – Author of American Girl books, Valerie Tripp (in turquoise) with AWWNM founder Janice Law (in pink) with guests and dolls at Oct. 8, 2014 AWWNM presentation.

Janice Law with AWWNM Board of Directors member Helen Hester Ossa at Nora Roberts 2015 event.