Our Story
We started small, as a group called Mothers Who Write. When we incorporated as a non-profit in 1988, we became known as Women Who Write, Inc. Based in Madison, New Jersey, we offer writing/critique groups and other programs in person and online. Membership is open to any woman interested in writing, and is not restricted to New Jersey residents. What started as a group of women sitting around a kitchen table is now an inclusive, multifaceted organization that helps its members reach their writing goals.
Our Goals
To support women writers in every phase of their writing journeys. Our members range from experienced writers, with multiple publication credits, to beginners.
To bring the work of women writers into the community through readings and publications, amplifying diverse voices and fostering a more inclusive literary landscape.
To provide encouragement, assistance, and a sense of community to women writers by offering support, guidance, and information to those who might otherwise be working in isolation.
Board of Directors
A sincere thanks to the volunteer leaders guiding our mission and community.
Jawahara Saidullah
President
Jawahara is the author of three books, several short stories, and articles. She also tells stories on Kissa: A Story Podcast.
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Maliha Sheikh
Secretary
Maliha is a child psychologist and kidlit author who writes with warmth, humor, and heart about social-emotional learning, family, culture, and connection.
Laurel English
Treasurer
Laurel is a former magazine journalist and corporate writer who now writes novels and stories about complicated women and their messy lives.
Prachi Jain
VP Programs
Prachi is a short story writer, poet, and proud member of Women Who Write whose work has been featured in The Huffington Post, Brown Girl Magazine, and Vending Machine Press. Balancing a career in the digital ecosystem with a wonderfully chaotic family life, she blogs about literary devices while squeezing in daily French lessons and aggressive outfit coordination.
Dana Huber
VP Membership
Dana has a background in public health, holds a PhD in Community Health and Health Policy, and has spent her career to date working on issues related to women's health and wellbeing. In her free time, she has recently turned to writing and is focused on building out an idea for a novel.
Bernice Bellouny
Editor, Goldfinch
Bernice is a former journalist with writing and editing experience in newspapers, magazines and online content. Now semi-retired, she enjoys writing fiction – mostly short stories and flash fiction – and traveling the country to gather inspiration for future writing projects.
Ginger Pate
Board Member
Ginger Pate is the author of two Picture Books and a past president of WWW.
Dana Punzo
Board Member
Dana is a WWW board member and is never bored using words with different meanings in her writing. She is currently working on a poetic memoir and is inspired by the arts, great outdoors and all walks of life she encounters which enhances her artistic expression.
Alexis Jemal
Board Member
Alexis is a playwright, novelist, and nationally recognized interdisciplinary scholar whose creative and academic work explores healing, justice, liberation, and lived experiences of people with marginalized identities through speculative fiction, magical realism, and socially engaged storytelling.
Lucy Orfan
Board Member
Lucy is a published author of mathematics textbooks at the high school and elementary school levels. Currently she enjoys writing personal essays, memoir and poetry.
Megha Malhotra
Conference Committee Chair
Megha is a writer, educator, and advocate. Her work spans YA, middle grade, and graphic novels, infusing stories about resilience, identity, and disability with whimsy and lived experience.
Kim Crumrine
Co-editor, Writers Notes
Kim is a freelance artist, picture book author/illustrator and greeting card designer.
Bree Ashkar
Web Designer
Bree is a full time graphic designer who loves nonfiction and memoir.
ANTI-DISCRIMINTATION
Women Who Write, Inc. does not condone discrimination or harassment against any person or group of people on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or any other status or condition protected by law. Harassing conduct includes, but is not limited to, epithets, slurs, or negative stereotyping, intimidating or hostile acts, or denigrating jokes. If any of the above conduct occurs in a writing group or at an event sponsored by WWW, and a member feels uncomfortable because of this conduct, she is urged to bring the matter to the attention of the group or event coordinator's attention, or she may contact any person on the Board of Trustees.
Volunteers Needed
As a member-run community, Women Who Write succeeds through the active involvement of writers like you. We are always looking for volunteers to assist with writing groups, workshop coordination, event planning, publicity, and editorial work for our newsletter and literary magazine. Whatever your background or time commitment, your unique talents can help keep our community growing. Get in touch via our contact form!