Rena Rosenwasser

Rena Rosenwasser’s (she/her) publications include the chapbook Queer Registry: The Body & Film (Kelsey Street, 2024), Elevators (Kelsey Street Press, 2011), Dittany (Taking Flight) (Mayacamas Press, 1993), Unplace. Place (Leave Books, 1992), and three collaborations with artist Kate Delos: Isle (Kelsey Street Press, 1992), Aviary (Limestone Press, 1988), and Simulacra (Kelsey Street Press, 1986).

Rosenwasser cofounded Kelsey Street Press along with Patricia Dienstfrey in 1974. As one of the primary driving forces behind the press, Rosenwasser has been deeply committed to creating a platform for women’s voices, especially those often marginalized or ignored by mainstream publishing houses. Her background in literature and her passion for feminist ideals were central to the press’s mission.

Rosenwasser’s work with Kelsey Street Press was not just about publishing, but also about fostering a community of women writers and thinkers who could support one another in their creative endeavors. The press became known for its collaborative approach, often working closely with authors to bring their visions to life in print. Between 1987 and 2017, Rosenwasser initiated a series of collaborations between poets and artists that further established the press as a significant independent publisher of poetry by women. She retired in 2020, and the press continues with an enlarged vision of including LGBTQ+ authors.

Rosenwasser was born in New York City, where she cultivated her passion for literature, film, and the visual arts. After graduating from Sarah Lawrence College in 1971, she moved to Berkeley, California, where, in 1976, she earned an MA in literature from Mills College. Together with her spouse, Penny Cooper, Rosenwasser supports and collects the work of women artists. She serves on the film council of the UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive.