The Centennial Celebration was held Saturday, October 28, 2017, 6pm-9pm, at Pen+Brush, 29 East 22nd Street, New York, New York.
Festivities included a cocktail reception; presentation of the WNBA Second Century Prize to Todd Bol of Little Free Library; launch of Women in the Literary Landscape: A Centennial Publication of the Women’s National Book Association; announcing the winners of the WNBA Award, and a conversation on the transformative power of literature featuring:
- Moderator, Deirdre Bair, biographer of Simone de Beauvoir, Samuel Becket, and others
- Margo Jefferson, author of Negroland and cultural critic
- Roxana Robinson, author of Sparta and former head of the Authors Guild
- Emma Straub, author of Modern Lovers and independent bookstore owner
A Cocktail Reception included tastings of the Centennial Cocktails, presentations, and discussions.
The launch of the centennial publication: Women in the Literary Landscape: A Centennial Publication of the Women’s National Book Association was announced, with remarks by Rosalind Reisner and Valerie Tomaselli.
Todd Bol, founder of Little Free Library, received the WNBA’s Second Century Prize. The specially designed WNBA Little Free Library was on display and is now permanently housed at the Library of Congress.
Presentation of the WNBA Awards
Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress
Louise Erdich, Author
The 10th anniversary of the National Reading Group Month, an initiative of Women’s National Book Organization was celebrated in all the chapters, including New York City the weekend of the Centennial Celebration.
