About Us
In 1917, a group of fifteen women booksellers, excluded from membership in the all-male Bookseller’s League, met in Sherwood’s Book Store, at 19 John Street in Manhattan, to form the Women’s National Book Association.
WNBA has hosted seminars on book-selling techniques, surveyed the status of women in publishing, sponsored author luncheons, participated in book fairs, led in-service courses for teachers on children’s books, entertained visiting foreign book women, participated in the United Nations as a non-governmental organization member, and published multiple books.
Believing that books have power, WNBA has enabled people engaged in various literary activities to broaden their participation in the book world and to network as individuals with common aspirations, goals, and challenges.
The South Florida chapter of WNBA was founded in 2015 by Andrea Baron, Linda Rosen, and Michele Putnick. There was strong interest in establishing a chapter in the tri-county area (Palm Beach, Broward, and Dade). At the first meeting, a dozen women showed up at the Murder on the Beach bookstore in Delray Beach and learned about the joys and benefits of being a member of WNBA. In the decade that followed, there have been over 100 programs, both in-person and virtual.
Topics covered range from writing workshops and local history to the arts community, book clubs, and publishing trends. In-person programs such as “Open Mic Night” and networking are hugely popular with members. By co-sponsoring and collaborating with local groups, arts centers, and libraries, WNBA South Florida has been able to focus on community engagement and providing programs that support writers, readers, and book lovers.
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