Maine Women Writers Collection.

Founded February, 1959.

The Maine Women Writers Collection (MWWC) consists of books, manuscripts, letters, and artifacts, all of which document the literary, cultural, and social history of Maine women writers. The 1959 vision of co-founders Grace A. Dow (1901-95) and Dorothy Healy, as well as their courage and commitment, are the unquestioned source of this nationally known resource at the Portland Campus of the University of New England. Familiar with many of the works by Maine's better known women writers, the two women began to talk about the possibility of compiling a special collection of books by these writers, along with works by others who had become obscure or been forgotten. From an initial purchase of over 200 titles from bookseller Francis M. O'Brien's collection of 19th century women writers, and gifts donated by students, faculty and the greater community, Maine Women Writers was born. With this beginning collection and the support of the Westbrook College president and trustees, Dow and Healy hoped to accumulate distinguished literary archives in addition to establishing a literary resource that would be available to students, faculty as well as to the public for study and research. Dorothy Healy served as the Curator from 1968-1990, followed by Bradford Daziel, Mary Anne Wallace, Nancy Noble and Patricia Mulligan, all supported by Roberta Gray, Library Director and Public Service Librarian. Cally Gurley was appointed Curator in 1999, following the MWWC's recognition with the distinguished designation as a "Literary Landmark" by The Friends of Libraries U.S.A. In 2010, Cathleen Miller was appointed Curator. The Maine Women Writers Collection has become a nationally known repository of women's writing and related materials and has remained true to the original vision of its co-founders, Grace Dow and Dorothy Healy: to be a collection of published and non-published literary, social and cultural materials by and about Maine women writers, documenting their experiences as well as their public and private thoughts. It is the center for scholarly work, writing programs, as well as events, speakers and conferences available to the general public. Today the Collection holds over 8,000 volumes. The MWWC is now supported by an endowment made possible by the generosity of John Payson, a longstanding supporter of Westbrook College.