About the Illinois Woman’s Press Association

History reveals the actual founder of the Illinois Woman’s Press Association was Frances A. Conant, an untiring newspaper writer representing Chicago papers during the New Orleans Exposition of 1885. Inspired by conversations with Marion McBride, from the Boston Globe during meetings at the Exposition, Conant returned to Chicago with new ambitions. Through her efforts Conant enlisted the cooperation of leading women writers in the founding of IWPA. Conant brought the original members to the Chicago home of Dr. Julia Holmes Smith where together they designed their organization to provide communication and support between newspaper women as well as writers in all fields. Primarily motivated by a keen sense of values and justice, these women were deeply concerned with journalistic ethics, professional dignity, lending a helping hand, friendships formed and with the undying belief in their right to be heard in all forms of communications. In that journey from 1885, IWPA is believed to be the oldest continuous organization of women writers.

The organization produced a number of publications and books throughout its history including a member’s anthology in 1914 known as “The Memory Book;” the 1932 yearbook titled, “Prominent Women of Illinois,” and “So All Can Be Heard” a history of the Illinois Woman’s Press Association in 1987.