Branch News, Fall 2025
Santa Clara County Hosts Three Successful Events
Art Exhibit
The Santa Clara County Branch Art Exhibition at the Saratoga Library drew the attention of library personnel, the public, and friends. Dorothy Atkins, Luanna Leisure, Claudia Gray, Kay Duffy, Pat Fisher, Louise Webb, Elvira Rascov, Catherine Bohrman, Lorraine Gabbert, and Carol Woodard displayed a lovely assortment of their creative works. The show hung in the study room for two months.
Pop-Up Book Signing
Atkins, Leisure, and Gabbert, along with Jo Ann Blum, also took part in two weekends of pop-up book signing. Beyond Text, a local, independently owned bookstore in Los Gatos, California, provided the perfect spot at the store for the women to showcase and sell their books and cards. It was also the right time to promote Pen Women, and there was much interest from morning foot traffic. The branch is looking to duplicate this event in the future.
Salon Talks at the San Jose Women’s Club
On a lovely Sunday afternoon in June, Atkins, NorCal president and Santa Clara County outreach chair, was guest speaker at the San Jose Women’s Club. She was selected from the community, along with six other creatives, to speak during the Sunday Salon Talks, a program that lasts for six months and is open to the public.
Atkins shared her journey as an artist, writer, storyteller, and published author with a full audience that included branch members. She shared stories of the experiences that shaped her life as an artist, the people who influenced her, and her life as a creative. Coming full circle, she now devotes her time immersed in paintings with a message of “One Love,” which she proudly shares with the world.
SoCal Members Renew Friendships
By Elizabeth Yahn Williams, Member-at-Large
Missing collegial engagements with past and present NLAPW members, former Palomar Branch President Nancy Canfield has been active in renewing friendships. A well-known realtor and socialite in Rancho Bernardo, she suggested their Historical Society feature an exhibit on the creative ladies of that area and include the works of former members of that branch. So they did, with the help of Mary Quigley — a local poet and memoir writer — and this reporter, who entered the picture (literally) too.
La Jolla’s present members joined the trio, visiting the exhibit and touring the nostalgic San Bernardino Winery that houses the museum. Penguin Bob, who enables our at-large monthly Zoom, recorded the event to feature in his PowerPoint at our September meeting.
In July, Canfield and Quigley delivered their exhibit to the La Jolla Library’s librarian, who’d agreed it should continue its artistic life. This has inspired the La Jolla Branch to join the exhibiting fun. They are in the process of adding to the exhibit, led by President Anne Hoiberg and with help from visual artists, playwrights, musicians, mystery novelists, chroniclers, etc.
Diamond State Turns 75
The Diamond State Branch was founded in 1951 by Margaret DuPont Boden, a former member of the Chevy Chase Branch. Beginning with only six members, the branch has expanded over the years and continues to welcome talented women into the organization, promoting and showcasing their creations with shows and special projects. The branch is turning 75 this year, and we are celebrating!
Spring and summer have been busy for art and letters members. The Diamond State Branch Grand Challenge Project travelled from the Grand Opera House in Wilmington to the Kennett Library in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. The art and writing collaboration project was the featured exhibit in June at the library.
Letters and art member Cyndy Falcoff did a wonderful job explaining the project at the opening reception. She and letters member Taralee Morgan gave insights into their creative process by talking about what part of the visual piece each used to inspire their new written work.
Branch art members continued to showcase their talents in July and August at the Diamond State Biennial Art Show, hosted by Blue Streak Gallery in Trolley Square, Wilmington. It was a judged show with prizes awarded. Anna Bellenger, Betsy Greer, and Falcoff received the top honors for their pieces. Writers Sandra Seaton Michel, Iris Gray Dowling, and Linda Patton made their books available for purchase at the gallery during the exhibit.
Branch meetings began again in September, with Michel as the program speaker. She spoke about her plot development process in writing her novel, “Chasing the Wind.” The meeting also included planning for another year of outreach work facilitating the Scholastic Student Writing Competition for students in the Delaware region.
Long Island Showcases Work at Exhibit
Ten of the 14 members of the Long Island Branch exhibited their paintings in June at The Barnes Gallery in Garden City, New York. The reception was on Saturday, June 7. This exhibition reflected the professional quality of the branch’s membership.
From top left clockwise, Min Myar, Audrey McHugh, Kay Ray, Theodora Zavola, Dolores Caporale, Christine Greene, and Selma Stern.
Branch News, Summer 2025
Boca Raton Program Features One Moment in Time
By Elaine Bossik
Artists and writers from the Boca Raton Branch presented original art and literary creations that depicted one moment in time at the Delray Beach Public Library in Delray Beach, Florida, in April.
The program attracted an enthusiastic local audience eager to meet the Pen Women whose work was on exhibit in the library gallery. Visitors mingled with the artists, who discussed the inspiration for their art.
A reception with refreshments followed the gallery exhibit. Art Chair Roslyn Ross-Hoffman introduced the Pen Women artists, who answered questions from the audience and explained their painting and drawing techniques.
A presentation by the branch’s authors followed. Vera Ripp-Hirschhorn and Marlene Klotz introduced the authors, who read original poetry, flash fiction, essays and novel excerpts that captured a unique moment in time. A lively question-andanswer session followed.
The program ended on a high note, with requests for future programs by Pen Women.
Honolulu Selects Competition Winners
By Luanna Meyer, Competition Chair
Honolulu Branch is excited to announce the winners of the 2025 Lorin Tarr Gill Writing Competition. This biannual literary competition sponsored by our branch has been supported for many years through generous donations made by members of the Gill family in honor of the late Lorin Johnston Tarr Gill, a prolific author of numerous publications on Hawai‘i and the Pacific.
The competition operated entirely online, inviting authors to submit writing in the categories of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Six independent judges — two in each category — reviewed 68 entries anonymously.
Certificates and cash prizes were awarded to:
• Poetry: Joy Au, “My Father’s Hands: Hukilau,” first place; Michelle Shin, “Possibilities,” second place; Shawnee GreeneDuarte, “What Faith is Like,” third place; and Elsha Travis, “Family Tree,” honorable mention.
• Fiction: Kristin McAndrews, “Speaking of Tongues,” first place; Marcia Zina Mager, “Ruthie and the Witch Doctor,” second place; Jeffery Ryan Long, “Nausea,” third place; and Patrice Wilson, “Calla’s Story,” honorable mention.
• Nonfiction: Marcia Zina Mager, “Belonging,” first place; Tamara Moan, “Ka Ipu,” second place; Sabra Rae Feldstein, “Hanging Bear,” third place; and Elsha Travis, “America,” honorable mention.
All entrants were notified individually regarding the results, which were subsequently announced at the Honolulu Branch meeting in early May, posted on our branch website (penwomenhonolulu.org), and shared with local media throughout the state.
Diamond State Presents The Grand Challenge Project
Members of the Diamond State Branch have been busy challenging themselves with a new project. Art and letters Pen Women worked in pairs to produce newly created pieces inspired by an existing piece from the other member. The Grand Challenge project culminated in an exhibition in May at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington, Delaware.
There was a lot of planning and preparation over this past year to get this project completed and hung: 30 pairs of artwork and writing. It was gratifying to see it all come together in such a “grand” space.
Theatergoers got to experience this unique presentation combining art with writing. This project will also become a “traveling exhibit” at the Kennett Library and other venues around the state, showcasing the talents of our members.
Modesto Celebrates Youth Poetry Contest Winners
By Lynn M. Hansen, Modesto Branch Letters Chair
The Modesto Branch, in collaboration with Modesto/Stanislaus Poetry Center (MoSt), hosted the celebratory reading by the winners of the Aileen Jaffa Memorial Youth Poetry Contest at the Carnegie Center for the Arts in Turlock, California, in May. This yearly contest is conducted in memory of Aileen Jaffa, poet, artist, sculptor, former agricultural reference librarian at UC Berkeley, and past president of the NLAPW Piedmont/Oakland Branch.
The branch received 103 entries from students enrolled in kindergarten through high school in Stanislaus County. Twenty student winners read their poems to an audience of admiring parents, friends, and teachers. MoSt Poetry Center provided cash awards for first-, second-, and third-prize certificates as well as honorable mention certificates and a booklet of student winning poems; the Modesto Branch provided two grand-prize cash awards.
This year, Stanislaus County Youth Poet Laureate Zoe Byron and city of Modesto Poet Laureate Angela Drew assisted in handing out certificates to the contest winners. Grand-prize winner for grades 7-12 was Eliana Tambua for “Hidden Beauty,” and grand-prize winner for grades K-6 was Isaac Doub for “Forest Walk.” Modesto Branch President Louise Kantro presented them with certificates and cash prizes.
After the reading, student poets, their teachers, and their families enjoyed a reception with refreshments provided by MoSt Poetry Center.
Sarasota Recognizes Talented Students
By Wilma Davidson, Branch President
For the 38th year in a row, the Sarasota Branch hosted its yearly Launching Leaders in the Arts Performance Award Luncheon in April. Thirteen students talented in visual art, letters, and music composition received ribbons, recognition — and checks. These students entered our annual competition open to 17 high schools in Sarasota and Manatee counties and came out on top.
The branch’s art, letters, and music chairs begin working in the fall with teachers and guidance staff to spread the word. We didn’t relent! Nor did the teachers who encouraged their students, giving the judges plenty to choose from. This year, a phenomenal group of young people presented their music compositions, read their original writing, and shared their art with us. Teachers and parents joined us for lunch and the accompanying performances, bringing a diverse community of arts lovers together.
For the branch, the day represents the joy of art, the fun of creation, and hope for future generations. Our gratitude for the parents is on display, as is our deep respect for everything teachers do. Together with our student winners, we all celebrate their creativity and their future dreams. So much work goes into this community outreach — and so much wonder comes out of it!
Diablo/Alameda Hears from Author Evelyn LaTorre
By Winnie Thompson, Diablo/Alameda Branch President
Our East Bay Branch of San Francisco had a fine time listening to Evelyn LaTorre, PhD, express the need for more memoirs written by women. The California resident, who has traveled to 105-plus countries and lived in Peru and Italy, extolled the virtues of learning about oneself through travel and the process of writing a memoir.
“Memories bubble up from the unconscious,” she said. Everyone was very happy to see artist member Margaret Davis receive her music credential. The branch currently has a big art exhibit through August 5 at the Kenneth Aitken Senior Center in Castro Valley.
Birmingham Raises a Toast to 100 Years
The Birmingham Branch celebrated 100 years of formation in April. The branch was organized on February 21, 1925, by Katherine Hopkins Chapman. The celebration was a luncheon meeting at The Club atop Red Mountain in Birmingham. Branch President Jan Harris presided and welcomed guests, among whom was Huntsville Branch President Lynda Lamite and Pen Women’s friends and family members.
The members’ art works, which included paintings and artistic quilts along with published works, were on display in an adjoining room. Music composed by Vinnie Ream award winner Mimi Jackson played softly in the background.
After lunch, candles reading “100” were blown out after those present sang “Happy birthday, Birmingham NLAPW.”
The highlight of the celebration was a presentation by master storyteller Dolores Hydock, “The Extraordinary Journeys of Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland,” about two ladies from the turn of the 20th century who would have made excellent Pen Women.
After 100 years of being Pen Women, having endured many challenges, most recently the COVID virus, branch members are very happy to say they’re still here. They continue to enjoy and inspire each other at every meeting. Their goal is to continue to grow and to inspire women in the arts in their community.
Santa Clara Selects Limerick Contest Winners
The Santa Clara County Branch received 38 entries from Pen Women for this year’s contest. Enjoy the winning poems.
| By Karen Zimmerman, first place
There once was a groundhog named Phil, Awakened against his free will. They held him up high, He let out a sigh And ordered a long winter’s chill. By Patricia Doyne, third place A poet walks into a bar, Sports a black eye-patch and scar, He says, “Give me booze or I’ll light this here fuse and smoke you like this big cigar!” The bartender said to the poet, “You’re sloshed to the gills, and you know it. Don’t give me no crap Find someplace to nap.” That table? The poet’s below it. At daybreak, when poet awoke, His head ached. His voice was a croak.
By Sheralee Iglehart, honorable mention There once was a fat little mouse who would scamper over the house. eating cheese from each platter This mouse got much fatter, The cat snarled, “My dinner’s this louse!” |
By Carol White, second place
A young Irish lassie from Gent Met a wealthy old codger named Kent. He took her to lunch She said, “Thanks a bunch Now how about dinner and rent?”
He warbled his woe in metrical flow And called it, “Hung-over and Broke.” But when the sun set in the west, the poet, he pounded his chest: “I’m ready for ale and I’ll drink like a whale, Spout verses! They’ll all be impressed.” So, poet walks into a bar, Unpacks his acoustic guitar, Ballads and chat Then passes the hat. This roughneck is now a rock star! By Martha Mae McCool, honorable mention Alison lost her home in the fire, But she escaped, though her heart was dire. With courage in hand, She’ll rebuild and withstand, And rise higher than she’d ever aspire.
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