NLAPW National News

NLAPW has launched a new poetry competition for the public and encourages all women non-members to enter. Prizes will be awarded at branch and national levels.

National Membership Chair Laura Walth writes about her goal to strengthen the connection between our members and National through the three Cs: communication, connection, and compassion.

Scottsdale Branch Immediate Past President Jan Thompson shares ideas for recruiting new members and maintaining membership.

Vinnie Ream Chair Karen McAferty Morris shares the inspiration behind the League’s bi-annual competition and invites Pen Women to enter into the 2026-2027 contest.

National 5th Vice President Janie Owens shares ideas for how to make the League more accessible and appealing to a younger generation of women who are working and have other commitments.

The League’s board approved a policy on the use of AI for art, letters, and music work submitted for NLAPW competitions and publication.

Keynote speaker Kim Villanueva, the CEO of the National Organization for Women (NOW), talks about the legacy of Vinnie Ream, National League of American Pen Women, and NOW.

NLAPW President Nancy Dafoe takes a look at the ethical and professional dilemmas surround artificial intelligence, and explains why Pen Women should meet the issue head on.

Letters members are once again invited to the Pen Woman exclusive writers’ Retreat, hosted on October 27-30 at Pen Arts. The retreat includes free room and board at Pen Arts, instruction with professional editing, group tutorials, evening readings, walking tours, and more.

The 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.

NLAPW’s monthly virtual meetings, hosted on Zoom, are an opportunity for Pen Women from across the country to meet and learn about each other, network, and listen to guest presenters. Nonmembers interested in finding out more about NLAPW are also welcome to join the meetings.

NLAPW recently awarded $1,000 grants each to three outstanding women pursuing careers in art, letters, and music. Cogratulations to Paula Fontana (art), Nina C. Peláez (letters), and Nancy Jo Hinsen (music) for their awards.

Modesto Branch member Nancy Haskett recently took the helm of the poetry section, which features members’ poems in The Pen Woman in the NLAPW blog. A member since 2012, Haskett is an accomplished poet with many accolades.

Three Pen Women were recently honored with the Vinnie Ream medal for their outstanding works: Mary Ann Miller, art (“Joie des Pommes,” watercolor and mixed media); Pat Underwood, letters “Trimming Poison Ivy,” poetry); and Mary Fineman, music (“Suite from the Faraway Pavilion,” scored for flute, B flat clarinet, violin, cello, piano).