Celebrate Women’s History Month with CLCSC
The Children’s Literature Council of Southern California has been shaped by literary changemakers since its founding in 1961. In honor of Women’s History Month, we’d like to introduce you to some of the women who have made an impact on children’s literature in Southern California:
Charlotte S. Huck (1922-2005)
Charlotte Huck, an internationally renowned children's literature expert, is the inspiration for the Charlotte S. Huck Children's Literature Festival held in Redlands each year. She started her career as an elementary school teacher before creating courses in children’s literature at the university-level. As she continued this academic work, Huck also served on numerous awards committees and coordinated several children’s book events and festivals. Huck continued to advance the study and celebration of children's literature for the rest of her life.
Myra Cohn Livingston (1926-1996)
Renowned poet Myra Cohn Livingston is the namesake of the organization’s award for poetry. She worked as a book reviewer and creative writing instructor prior to the publication of her first book of children’s poetry, Whispers, and Other Poems in 1958. In addition to writing poetry, Livingston served as poet-in-residence for the Beverly Hills Unified School District and worked as a children’s poetry consultant. She went on to publish over 20 collections of poetry for children during her lifetime.
Dorothy C. McKenzie (?-1981)
Dorothy C. McKenzie established the Children’s Literature Council of Southern California in 1961 to promote greater interest in literature for children and young people and to help in developing standards of excellence in the field. In 1978, the organization renamed the award for Distinguished Contribution to the Field of Children's Literature to the Dorothy C. McKenzie Award in recognition of her guidance and inspiration. Additionally, McKenzie taught in the English department at CSULA. After her passing in 1981, the university named a scholarship fund in her honor.
Peggy Miller
Peggy Miller was one of the pioneering members of CLCSC. Her work to advance children’s literature expanded into the community as well, as she helped to found FOCAL, the support group of the Children's Literature Department of the Los Angeles Public Library. She also worked to establish libraries in LAUSD elementary schools by working with district staff to convert space and purchase core collections over the course of 18 years. CLCSC named the award for excellence in young adult literature after Peggy Miller to honor her contributions.
Frances Clarke Sayers (1897-1989)
Frances Clarke Sayers began her career as a children’s librarian in the early 1920s. She worked as a librarian in New York for many years before returning to California. Upon her return, she lectured in UCLA’s English department and library school, continuing to write about children’s services and literature. Among her involvement in the field of children’s literature, Sayers delivered the keynote address at CLCSC’s 1971 awards banquet. UCLA’s Frances Clarke Sayers Lecture, named in her honor, has hosted esteemed authors including Grace Lin and Matt de la Pena.
Thank you to these women trailblazers in the Southern Californian children’s literature field!