-
-
-
A sisterhood of dedicated and professional women in the arts with a passion for sharing their artistic gifts with the wider community
Founded in 1897, the National League of American Pen Women, Inc. (NLAPW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports and promotes professional women in arts, letters, music, and allied professions.
-What’s New-
-
Vinnie Ream Competitions Submissions Are Now Open
Learn moreThe League is accepting entries into the 2026-27 Vinnie Ream Competition through March 30, 2027. The aim is to challenge participants to follow Ream’s sterling example of elevating one’s art work to the highest level.
-
The 2026-2027 Cross-Genre Competition for Members Now Open
Learn moreThe second annual NLAPW Cross-Genre Competition is designed to encourage Pen Women across genres and branches to collaborate creatively with each other. The League hopes to inspire new creative and collaborative projects showcasing members’ talents.
-
Letters Members Invited to Fall Writers' Retreat
Learn moreNLAPW will once again host a Pen Women exclusive writers’ retreat at Pen Arts in the fall. The retreat includes free room and board at Pen Arts, instruction with professional editing, group tutorials, evening readings, walking tours, and more.
Why Become a Pen Woman?
Cape Canaveral Branch member Donna Puglisi shares brief insights into how the prestigious NLAPW helps professional women in all aspects of the arts to network with fellow artists and expand their horizons. “The National League of American Pen Women, Inc. is a foundation, a bridge, providing building blocks to achieve success in your field. … Sharing our ideas and creative talents, there is no limit to what we can do,” she says.
-
Featured Member: Marcia Zina Mager, Honolulu Branch
Read moreMarcia Zina Mager is an international author, book coach, and performer. Her 40-plus years of publishing credits include novels, nonfiction books, articles, essays, awardwinning poetry, and plays. Inspired by Vincent van Gogh, she writes about the power of writing badly.
-
1,200+ members strong
-
58 branches across country
-
35 disciplines represented
