Photo above A committee in the early 1980s: standing from left, Sue Butterworth, Shelley Power, Nina Shandloff, Diane Spivey, Fenella Greenfield, Jane Anger; sitting, Carol Easton and unidentified
When the idea of a women's networking organisation was proposed, women across the book business were ready to listen. Inspired by the campaigning group Women in Media, the first meeting of WiP was held at the Globe Pub in Marylebone Road in October 1979.
The following aims were later agreed: To provide a forum for the discussion of ideas, trends and subjects of interest to women in the publishing trades To encourage networking and mutual support among women To provide opportunities for sharing information and expertise To offer practical training for career and personal development To support and publicise women’s achievements and successes To promote the status of women within publishing
WiP created a women-only space for women with a broad range of skills, opinions and political views. Some would have called themselves feminists; others definitely not; yet others were only just discovering the inequalities. But they shared a desire to fulfil their potential and change perspectives in their industry.