2021 Conference –
At WAWH’s annual Executive Board Meeting held earlier this summer, the Board made the decision to convert our 2021 conference to a fully online format. The Board did not make this decision lightly; it grew out of concerns not only of the pandemic’s continued hold on the U.S., but also on its financial consequences, both for our members personally and for academic institutions’ ability to offer travel funds.
The specific format of this online gathering, as well as the Call for Papers, are currently under development with more information to come in the next few months. The Board appreciates your patience as we figure out these details.
We are grateful that Adria L. Imada has accepted our invitation to serve as our keynote speaker in 2021.
2020 Annual Awards update
Despite the cancellation of this year’s conference, the WAWH still want to honor the great work produced by our members, and so the Executive Board decided to proceed with giving out the 2020 awards and prizes. (The only award we will defer this year is the Mary Elizabeth “Betsy” Perry Graduate Student Conference Poster Prize, since it is difficult to replicate without an in-person conference.) The winners of all prizes were announced via email to membership and on the individual awards pages.
Updated May 18, 2020
Founded in 1969, the Western Association of Women Historians (WAWH) is the largest regional women’s historical association in the United States. WAWH holds an annual spring conference for the presentation of scholarly work, new research, the discussion of teaching methods, writing, and other issues of importance to women scholars.
Registration
Registration information for the 2021 virtual WAWH Conference will be here in a timely manner. For the future: Presenters must register for the conference my March 26; for all other attendees, the advanced registration deadline is April 2. “On-site” registration is available for attendees at a higher rate.
Membership
All presenters must be WAWH members. Attendees will receive a discounted registration rate. If you need to renew or purchase a membership, use this secure online form. Not sure if your membership is current? Send Sarah Gold McBride, our Executive Director, an email!
Lodging
Information about rooms at the Ayers Hotel Costa Mesa/Newport Beach for the 2022 Annual Conference will be available in a timely manner. Rooms will be available to WAWH conference attendees at a reduced rate. Internet, parking at the hotel and a shuttle to and from John Wayne Airport (SNA) are all included.
Traveling to WAWH
For those planning to fly, John Wayne Airport (SNA) is the closest and most proximate to the conference venue. The Ayers Hotel offers a free shuttle for those staying at the hotel. For those who plan to travel by car, parking is offered free to guests of the Ayers Hotel.
WAWH Membership, 2020-2021
Members of the Western Association of Women Historians receive lower conference rates. Membership for the 2020-2021 membership year makes the member eligible for the 2021 WAWH awards and prizes and to present at the 2021 WAWH conference. A three-year membership makes the member eligible to apply for awards or to present through the 2023 conference.
To initiate a new membership, renew your membership or gift a membership please use our secure online Membership form.
2020 Conference FAQs
Please visit our Conference FAQs for information about:
- What you should expect and responsibilities of panelists, roundtable speakers, chairs/moderators, commenters, workshop participants, poster presenters; session time, session technology and some key presenter do’s and don’ts.
- Funding for graduate students.
- How teachers/faculty/professions can make WAWH a good experience, especially for graduate students.
- Poster sessions.
- Meal options during the conference.
- Opportunities to socialize.
- The Dessert and Champagne Book Launch.
- The WAWH Mixer.
- If you are on the program but have an emergency and cannot attend.
- Thoughts about if it is fine to come in for a few hours for your panel and then leave.
- Childcare.
- If you have a problem during the conference.
- Tweeting at the conference.
- WAWH policy on harassment and inclusion.
- How to get more involved in WAWH.
Questions?
If you have any unanswered questions, please contact our Executive Director, Sarah Gold McBride.

2019 Dessert & Champagne Book Launch
2020 Call For Papers
The Western Association of Women Historians invites proposals for panels, roundtables, posters, workshops, and individual presentations in all fields, regions, and periods of history.
We particularly encourage non-traditional formats and topics. These could include panels and roundtables focused on pedagogy, women in academia, public history, digital humanities, academic publishing, career paths, activism, etc. We also strongly encourage participants to replace the traditional 20-minute paper reading with shorter and more interactive presentation styles. We expect that all panels will be diverse in their composition.
Priority will be given to proposals for complete or partially complete sessions. Individual papers will be considered secondarily; we strongly encourage participants interested in submitting an individual paper to seek out fellow panelists for collaboration via our online spreadsheet, and to contact the Program Committee early to ask about possible chairs and/or commentators.
WAWH welcomes scholars in all careers and at all career stages.
Membership and Registration Requirement: WAWH membership and 2020 conference preregistration will be required of all conference presenters. The membership year runs conference to conference. Membership is open to all, and membership fees range from $25–$60 per year based on income.
Deadline for submissions for the 2020 Conference was October 31, 2019