Branch News, Winter 2026
Palm Springs Inspires Students to Journal
Members of the Palm Springs Branch generously donated journals to 185 seventh-grade students at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Indio, California. Branch President Kathy Bjork and board member Victoria Castillo presented the journals to Principal Joshua Alvarez and the students, who were given an opportunity to select their journal from a display.
The Pen Women discussed the benefits of journaling to express the students’ feelings, reduce stress, and enhance self-awareness, reflection, and emotional intelligence. Bjork said, “We wanted to give the students a chance to express themselves and realize their writing is important. Journals have been seen as chroniclers of history, and what the students write will be a historical record of this time.”
Principal Alvarez expressed gratitude for the journals and said, “Journaling is an essential part of our English Language Arts program and our journalism class. It is through writing that our students learn to reflect, to process, and to discover their unique voices. These journals will not only be kept with care but will serve as a safe space for our students to grow as thinkers, storytellers, and leaders. We believe wholeheartedly that the practice of journaling will empower them as the leaders of tomorrow, helping them build confidence in their ability to communicate, to express, and to inspire.”
Students have been invited to share their writings at future branch meetings.
Greenwich Branch Joins Author Showcase
By Catherine T. Horn
In September, several Greenwich Pen Women participated in the Perrot Memorial Library Local Author Showcase, the first of what is hoped to be an annual event. A total of 16 authors who live, work, or have a connection to Greenwich (including through the NLAPW Greenwich Branch) were invited to be a part of this special event. Registrants included children’s, young adult, and adult authors. Each author was given the space to display books and related materials.
The showcase began with a meet-and-greet to allow time for the authors to get to know each other. A presentation by Christine Barker, author of “Third Girl from the Left: A Memoir,” followed the networking. Barker shared the inspiration for her book and discussed her process for finding an agent and getting published. After her presentation, the event was open to the public for browsing and buying books.
Pensacola Hosts Members’ Salon
In October, the Pensacola Branch hosted its first salon, where members shared their work and the personal journeys that inspired it. The event took place in the garden of letters member and branch Vice President Terry Henry, with wine and appetizers adding to the evening’s ambiance. The idea was for members to get to know each other better in a peaceful setting that allowed time for presenters to tell their own stories through their works.
The concept of the salon originated during the Renaissance, when academies wanted to foster all aspects of French culture. In 1667, the French monarchy hosted an inaugural event at the Louvre Museum in Paris to showcase artistic endeavors for the cultural elite. In 1903, the Salon d’Automobile took place, and now pop-up salons continue to be hosted during October in Paris.
During the monthly meetings, members discuss business related to the local and national branches, and offer programs to educate and entertain members. The timeframe allows members little time to get to know each other and their artistic work. The salon was a magical evening of art, poetry, and prose that provided just that opportunity.
Those who attended asked for the salon to become a regular event, and the branch intends to host another one in the spring.
Boca Raton Kicks Off New Season
By Elaine Bossik
Boca Raton Branch President Brenda Dressler, PhD, played hostess to NLAPW members and guests at a fabulous bagel brunch at her home in October. It was a fun way to launch the new Pen Women event season, catch up with friends after the summer hiatus, meet new friends, and enjoy her culinary specialties.
Bagels of every variety filled baskets set out on a table, waiting to be chosen. There were beautifully decorated platters with toppings for the bagels, including Brenda’s delicious, homemade, cured salmon. She shared her recipe for curing salmon with unique spices and a multiday process that required special ingredients — patience and loving care. The result was an outstanding delicacy and the star of the buffet. Traditional cream cheese, salads, herring, pastry, fresh fruit, cheese, and coffee completed the sumptuous spread.
Guests filled their plates and gathered around small tables to enjoy the offerings, the camaraderie, and the ambiance in Brenda’s welcoming home.
This event also launched the branch’s yearly fundraising program for achievement awards that will go to young women pursuing careers in the arts. Generous contributions from guests at the brunch will help fund the Boca Raton 2026 achievement awards for deserving high school graduates.
Diablo/Alameda Shares Good Times
By Winifred Thompson, Branch President
Diablo/Alameda members at the November luncheon. Left to right, seated: Charlotte Severin, Winnie Thompson, Parivash Canani, Connie Rusk. Standing: Kate Hardwig, Ann Maloney-Mason, Debra Collins, Deborah Gallegos, Margaret Davis. Photography by Mark Liu
Our Garden Party and Potluck Lunch in August was lots of fun. Together, eight members and five guests raised $69 at our white elephant sale arranged by Jo Ann Frisch. We then viewed “How to Be a Professional Artist,” presented by Sukanya Mani and Eepi Chaad. The presentation was streamed via Zoom to the nearby Adobe Art Center in Castro Valley. This unique joint venture between Pen Women and A.R.T., Inc. enabled members from all over the United States to participate in the virtual event.
Thanks to Laura Walth for attending and promoting the event at her monthly Pen Women Zoom meetings. Her husband, Don Walth, a professional artist, appreciated attending this event and said he was impressed by what he learned.
In November, we had a delightful luncheon with our excellent speaker, Parivash Canani. Our fun auction raised $83!
I met Parivash, an artist from Iran, as a student in my “Fast Forward to Phonics – Learn to Read English” class at the Hayward Library. She has begun studies at the University of California, Berkeley.
“I came to the U.S. because of its vibrant artistic spirit. I am polishing my English, so I can explain the quiet stories hidden in my line art and study entrepreneurship. In Iran, I studied fine arts, was a landscape artist and teacher, opened an ad agency, and pursued a degree in music,” she shared.
Delaware Holly Goes on Arts and Letters Field Trip
By Kari Ann Ebert
In November, Delaware Holly Branch members took an arts and letters field trip to visit the Earnest Archives and Library for a presentation on Pennsylvania German Broadsides by one of their members, Patricia Earnest Suter. She is the daughter of Russ and Corrine Earnest, who established the archives and library in 1971. She carries on the work of her late mother alongside her father, who added his extensive knowledge to the presentation.
The group was treated with a tour of the library and filing system begun by Corrine Earnest, who loved genealogy. Since its inception, the Earnest Archives and Library has recorded more than 40,000 fraktur and Bible records.
Patricia began her presentation with a description of who Pennsylvania Germans were: immigrants from German speaking countries pre-1800s. She also defined a broadside: a manuscript only printed on one side, often announcing an event such as a sale or trial. Poems or songs handed out at a church service were also considered broadsides. They marked fleeting events, therefore, were often discarded. This makes them very collectible. A subcategory of broadsides was fraktur/taufschein (birth and baptism records). These were often preserved, as they were family documents.
The group was presented with a chronological sampling of broadsides ranging from print-only manuscripts to those with vibrant folk art embellishments. There was much discussion about the colorful elements and the distinct style of individual artists. The illuminating field trip ended with refreshments as members discussed the fascinating history and art of the manuscripts.