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Letter from the National President Sheila M. Byrnes, Winter 2026
Preparing for ‘100 Reasons to Celebrate’
The National League of American Pen Women, Inc. continues to grow and thrive! New online membership applications arrive weekly. f you are not aware of our simple online form, visit the “How to Join” page. You will also find Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for all classifications.
The 52nd NLAPW Biennial will take place in D.C. on April 24-26. The Central New York Branch, host of the conference, celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The Biennial theme, “100 Reasons to Celebrate,” will honor the League, the branches, and Pen Women across the country. The Jacksonville Branch also celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, and will sponsor coffee at the boutique on opening day.
The Biennial will offer many opportunities for networking and sharing of creative ideas with other Pen Women. Special features include great speakers, interesting sessions, the Vinnie Ream banquet, two luncheons, a bus tour of our capital’s landmarks, guided walking tour options, a boutique at The Darcy to sell creative works of members, an art exhibit featuring Biennial art winners, a music awards performance, a letters reading, and more. The evening before the Biennial begins, April 23, a special jazz concert for Pen Women will be hosted at the Pen Arts building and is open to the public. Additional information concerning the Biennial can be found in this issue of The Pen Woman, along with the registration form and proposed schedule of events. The bus tour, which accommodates 50 passengers, has proven to be very popular. If you are interested in the tour, register soon to save a spot on the bus.
The Embassy of Peru’s deputy chief of missions gave me a tour of the embassy. During my visit, I remarked about the recently installed LED lights on the front of the embassy and asked if he would consider installing LED lights in the alley connecting our two buildings. He thought this a good suggestion. Lights have been installed, illuminating the back parking area and the alley, making them safer for residents and Pen Arts visitors.
A generous anonymous donor has offered the League a grant of $5,000, but the first $1,500 must be in the form of a matching grant. The funds will go toward the performance of the winning compositions from the Biennial music and Vinnie Ream competitions and other programming in the spring. Show your support by sending a donation of $20 or more so we can meet the matching grant challenge. Send your donation to National, marked Music Matching Grant.
The League continues to welcome guests for First Fridays at Pen Arts and for special events.
My goals for the rest of my term include creating new networking and educational opportunities for members, creating new avenues of revenue growth, recording the history of the League and Pen Women, and organizing a successful 2026 Biennial as we celebrate Pen Women and their accomplishments across the country. Thank you for your continued support!