October …

The Organization of Women Writers of Africa (OWWA) is a transnational cultural network created to promote, preserve, and amplify the voices of women writers of African descent across Africa and the global diaspora.

OWWA’s first major conference — titled “Yari Yari: Black Women Writers and the Future” — took place in October 1997 at New York University in New York City.

Founded in 1991 by American poet and cultural activist Jayne Cortez and Ghanaian novelist and scholar Ama Ata Aidoo, the organizaiton emerged in response to growing international dialogues surrounding the underrepresentation of African and African diasporic women in publishing, scholarship, and literary institutions. Cortez and Aidoo envisioned it as a global forum to connect writers, scholars, translators, and artists dedicated to documenting women’s experiences and intellectual traditions throughout the African diaspora.

The organization’s mission focused on enhancing literary exchange, promoting publication opportunities, and facilitating dialogue among writers from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and the United States. By bridging African and diaspora literary communities, the organization contributed to the increased recognition of African women’s writing within American academic and cultural realms.

The organization drew international acclaim through its conferences and cultural initiatives. The groundbreaking 1997 Yari Yari conference united influential writers, scholars, and activists who have shaped modern Black literature and feminist discourse, featuring prominent figures. They included Maya Angelou, Angela Davis, Buchi Emecheta, Edwidge Danticat, and Maryse Condé.

These gatherings established a unique international platform for women writers of African descent to discuss literary craft, cultural identity, political struggle, and the future of global Black literature. Universities, cultural institutions, and literary organizations played pivotal roles in supporting these exchanges, while younger writers, students, and scholars gained invaluable mentorship and collaborative opportunities.

Through its conferences, publications, and cultural programming, OWWA has significantly influenced contemporary discussions on Black feminism, diaspora identity, and literary representation. The network has fostered connections among writers across various languages, regions, and genres, enhancing the visibility of African and diasporic women in the global literary landscape.

While the organization has not prioritized formal awards, many of its participants and founders, including Aidoo, Angelou, and Condé, have received prestigious international literary accolades, further spotlighting the intellectual and artistic communities nurtured by the organization.

The Organization of Women Writers of Africa endures in the lasting relationships forged among writers and scholars, as well as in amplifying the contributions of African and African diasporic women to literature, history, and cultural thought.