History
From the May, 2001 meeting
A Brief Group History
"While an editor at Kiwanis magazine back in 1959," said Hal Higdon, as he began an MWA program recounting the history of MWA, "I was a member of the New York-based Society of Magazine Writers, a national organization which had some members in Chicago. Chicago members would meet at Riccardo's restaurant, a favorite spot for writers and reporters."
SMW, which had been founded in 1948, later changed its name to the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), and now includes over a thousand freelance writers of magazine articles, books, and other forms of nonfiction.
Elliott McCleary continued the story. Also a member of the Society of Magazine writers, in 1969 he had left his post as editor of Today's Health magazine to freelance. Periodically he would get together with other writers at the old John Barleycorn Tavern on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. Local members of the Society of Magazine Writers were invited to join the group, which organized itself as the Midwest Writers Association, with Barbara Goodheart as president, and began to hold dinner meetings with speakers.
SMW members of the group became the midwest chapter of SMW, later ASJA, and nonmembers were encouraged to attain membership in the national organization. For nearly three decades this two-tiered arrangement continued until MWA elected to discontinue as an ASJA chapter. At present many Midwest Writers Association members are also ASJA members and ASJA membership is encouraged. MWA thrives and membership is at or near its height.
-- SUE MASARRACCHIA'S REPORT ON MAY 10, 2001 MEETING (edited by Elliott McCleary April, 2005)