Our History

The History of the Phoenix Writers Club

2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the club’s founding by a group of women who were denied entry to the press club because of their gender. These witty Western women found a peaceful way to promote creativity and camaraderie in the face of adversity, demonstrating tremendous pioneering spirit in establishing a safe space for writers.

Our current members have been combing through multiple archives, using their research and writing skills to capture what 10 decades of members accomplished. We will be adding posts throughout this Centennial year, so don’t forget to come back, join us on Facebook, or subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date on our interesting and inspiring past. 

History Updates:

3/8/2026: We have officially launched this archive with our first article, “Time Capsule: The Phoenix Writers Club in the 1930s,” and an article form a neighborhood newspaper from 2017. 

2010’s
When the club celebrated its 91st birthday, the neighborhood newspaper, the North Central News, highlighted the clubs history and activities.
1930’s
Jeff Callan
In the 1930s, the Phoenix Writers Club thrived as a resilient community of female authors, poets, and journalists amidst the Great Depression. Dedicated to “furthering creative talent,” the club hosted nationally renowned speakers and organized prestigious writing contests for members and local youth. Through shared craft and camaraderie, these women documented the human experience, leaving a lasting legacy of literary dedication in Arizona.