Society of Women Writers Celebrates Trailblazers

Key Facts:

100 year celebration of The Society of Women Writers 1925 to 2025

Invitation to NSW State Parliament 11.30 am-3 p.m 12 September 2025

Women who Changed the World. 100^th Birthday Society of Women Writers 1925-2025.

'Our Vision – one hundred years, one hundred women-writers, one hundred stories,' announces Jan Conway editor of the anthology. To be launched at Parliament House NSW on 10^th September. Keynote address is Hon Jodie Harrison, Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, Minister for the Prevention of Sexual Assault. The Minister is a fierce advocate for women and children's rights. She says:-

'Domestic, family and sexual violence has a devastating impact on victims-survivors and those around them.'

It is timely and relevant that the 100^th year anniversary's guest speaker is Hon Jodie Harrison. She encapsulates the women's rights of the 1925 and today, 100 years later.

Membership was open in 1925 for 'women actively engaged as journalists, authors and playwrights, and recognised contributors of articles paid for by newspapers and magazines; or who have a literary record of worth and distinction' and all women writers. In 1925, dynamic journalists were breaking the rule of male dominated journalism and authorship. These women congregated in Sydney to establish the Society of Women Writers and have since continued to advocate for women's rights, events and active involvement in core issues of equality. Today the society is located at the State Library of NSW.

SWW is filled with outstanding woman who made a difference in Australia. The late Dr Hilarie Lindsay MBE OAM, Australian author and manufacturer in the toy industry, championed women's voices. The late Professor Emerita Elizabeth Webby AM FAHA, former Patron and Abbie Clancy Judge underpinned literary excellence. The society's much-loved photographer, the late Joy Williams also were part of the fabric of the Society. Past presidents included journalists and authors such as Dr Hilarie Lindsay, Elizabeth Stead, Dr Maria Hill, Dr Jennifer Rumsay, poet Lesley Walter, historian Vashti Farrer, Susanne Gervay OAM and many others.

Libby Hathorn award winning poet and author, led the SWW to commemorate Dorothea Mackellar our acclaimed woman poet and author. 'I wanted to do something for Australian literature, and particularly women in Australian literature,' Ms Hathorn said. 'Dorothea worked for the Red Cross, and she was filled with energy and zest … energy into women's causes. '

Dorothea Mackellar an iconic Australian poet, is finally recognised by her very own 'sunburnt country'. Dorothy Mackellar, author of famed poem, My Country, has a new memorial marking her Waverley Cemetery gravestone proudly underwritten by the society.

Today the Society of Women Writers NSW Inc is an intellectual, creative and social hub for women writers of all genres including poets, fiction for adults, young adults and children, and non-fiction writers, playwrights, screenwriters and journalists.