SouthWest Writers was officially deigned a 401c3 educational non-profit in 1984. We celebrated our 40th anniversary during our Annual Membership meeting on October 12, 2024. Over 80 people showed up in person and another 32 zoomed into the event which was held at the University of New Mexico’s Continuing Education Building.
The day’s agenda included:
- The election of the 2024 Executive Board of Directors
- A short history of SWW delivered expertly by Dan Wetmore.
- Words of praise from three of the SWW founding members: Paula Paul, Parris Afton Bonds, and Kay “Happy” Shaw.
- Announcement of the 2024 Parris Award Winner – Cornelia Gamlem!
- Announcement of the winners of the 2024 Annual Writing Contest – chaired by Judy Castleberry
- The release of our 2024 writing contest winners’ anthology: Mosaic Voices
- A fundraising raffle
- a delicious Pitch In Luncheon
- 40th Anniversary cakes provided by Jacqueline Murray Loring
Here are some of the photos of the event. Click on the links above for more!
Left: Judy Castleberry announces the release of “Mosaic Voices” – an anthology of the award winning entries from the 2024 Writing Contest
Center: The 2025 Executive board elected during the meeting: Cornelia Gamlem, Lynn Doxon, Kim Rose, and Judy Castleberry
Right: Sam Moorman (right) organized and cleaned up the food during the pitch in lunch. Photos above by Barb Garvey.
We want to thank SWW member Florence Cunningham who shot and donated the photos below.
