the westbeth playwrights' feminist collective (wpfc) — named for its headquarters in the westbeth artists' housing (in the historic bell telephone laboratories complex at 445-465 west street, manhattan) — was one of the earliest feminist theater groups in the united states. incorporated on 19 october 1972, its founding members included the multi-talented playwrights helen duberstein, hélène dworzan, patricia horan, gwendolyn gunn, christina (a.k.a. chryse) maile, sally ordway, dolores deane walker, and susan yankowitz. its board of sponsors, a who's who of american feminism of the day, included theater critic margaret croyden, activist florynce kennedy, poet muriel rukeyser, and ms. magazine co-founder gloria steinem.