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Spring 2026

Literature

Fall 2025

Fortnightly memories

Hear from members of the Pullman Fortnightly Club in their own words. These memories are excerpted from “Reminisces of Members,” compiled for the 110th anniversary dinner in 2003, unless otherwise noted.

Hattie Bryan

Joined in 1893

From her speech titled “On the History of the Founding of the Fortnightly Club,” delivered November 23, 1908, for the club’s 15th anniversary

“I remember the day we landed in the village at the old Northern Pacific station … Raining! I think I never saw it rain harder, and mud! How the struggling horses ever managed to get us through it, up to our rental home, on ‘Sunnyside’ … … » More …

Marble bust of a woman in a library
Fall 2025

A long history of Pullman women’s literary clubs

Women’s clubs gained momentum in America from the 1870s to the 1920s. Back then, smart, curious, and ambitious women found few other places to shape and display their talents outside of their own homes. Education and career opportunities were few and far between. For many, charitable work, particularly through church, was the only other outlet.

The format and formality of women’s club boosted their association with like-minded ladies. Some groups focused on studies: literature, history, geography. Others worked on service and reform, supporting the Red Cross and troops during World War I and II, launching scholarships for girls, organizing free milk clinics … » More …

closeup of an older woman with short gray hair and black shirt
Summer 2025

A pursuit of answers: Q&A with author Joan Burbick

Joan Burbick spent 30 years searching for her mother-in-law. The result is a spellbinding fictional memoir about sifting through family secrets and lies, unearthing the truth, and seeking justice. Erased is her second novel. Here, the retired Washington State University professor of English and American studies discusses her relentless and perhaps obsessive pursuit for answers.

When did you decide to turn your search for answers about your mother-in-law into a book—and a fictionalized version at that? What made you want to share the story?

At first, all I wanted was answers. What happened to Katherine Lin? It wasn’t until I sensed that the search … » More …