Sisters in Crime officially started in 1987, so it’s been around for 35 years! We even had a members-only online celebration this past Saturday organized by the fabulous President Stephanie Gayle and amazing Executive Director Julie Hennrikus. It was filled with great panels, inspiring videos, and a fun social hour.
Even from the beginning, the organization strove to be inclusive and not exclusive; it welcomed not only crime writers, but all crime fiction fans.
The mission statement in 1987 read: “To combat discrimination against women in the mystery field, educate publishers, and educate the general public as to the inequities in the treatment of female authors, raise the level of awareness of their contributions to the field, and promote the professional advancement of women who write mysteries.”
The work, the need for equality, still continues to be relevant today. Check out this wonderful but probing article written by Immediate Past President Sandra Wong on CrimeReads.
I’m proud to be part of Sisters in Crime and its supportive community. If you write or read crime fiction, please check us out at Sisters in Crime. I believe in this nonprofit so much that I’ll be stepping into the role of President on the national board come October 1st.
So happy 35th, SinC! And I love how the modern gemstone for the 35th anniversary is jade. It resonates with me culturally; in feng shui, it symbolizes wealth. SinC has plenty of that—an abundance of knowledge and support.
Cheers to Sisters in Crime—to 35 years and counting!
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