National Women's Press Club
The National Women's Press Club (NWPC) was founded because women were not allowed to join the men's-only National Press Club. In 1944, Gaylord was elected president of the NWPC, where her duties included presiding over meetings and scheduling speakers. At meetings, the NWPC would feature speakers giving talks on current events and contemporary debates in journalism. During her term as president, Gaylord sponsored Latin American women journalists to tour the United States for six weeks and make connections with fellow women in journalism. The collaboration was designed to promote inter-American unity during the tumultuous World War II period.
"A group of Latin American women journalists begin a six-week tour of the eastern United States this weekend with a stop in Louisville, Ky., under arrangements with the office of the coordinator of Inter-American affairs.
The Women's National Press club will be official host for the group which will conclude the tour with a visit in Washington from November 18 through November 23. The club, of which Miss Edith Gaylord, Oklahoma City, of The Associated Press is president, will have a dinner for the group November 21."
The Oklahoman. October 15, 1944. Courtesy The Oklahoman.
Why was creating a club for women journalists important?