Pasadena Festival of Women Authors History
2009
The Beginning
The Pasadena Festival of Women Authors (PFWA) founders, Susan Long and Elsie Sadler, felt that book lovers in Pasadena would embrace the experience of a literary event and would make donations to support the community. In 2009, they launched the first PFWA at the Pasadena Senior Center where it was hosted for 7 years.
2010
The Mission
To recognize the accomplishments of authors, to advance community dialog about the literary arts and to raise money for literary programs at community non-profits.
2016
Non-profit status and growth
In 2016 PFWA Committee established the Pasadena Literary Alliance (PLA) and moved the popular PFWA event to the Pasadena Hilton Hotel to accommodate a larger audience. The PLA is a 501(c)(3) organization, Tax ID: 47-2569785.
2017
New Events
In 2017 the PLA board formed the Open Book Committee to host year round author events starting in 2018.
2018
Grants
In 2018 the following organizations received grants from the proceeds of the PFWA:
- Pasadena City College: Writers in Residence & Summer Creative Writing Academy
- Pasadena Senior Center: The Lifetime Learning Masters in Learning Series
- Pasadena Public Library: One City, One Story Program
- PEN America: Emerging Voices Fellowship Stipend
- WriteGirl: High School Student Writing Seminars
