Branch News, Spring 2023
Modesto Members Participate in Ekphrastic ‘Collision’
Four members of the Modesto Branch, California, participated in a recent ekphrastic exhibit at the local Mistlin Art Gallery. This event, which first started in 2008, is called “Collision” and pairs photographers and poets to collaborate and complement each other’s works. A reception took place in February, providing poets the opportunity to share their poetry aloud as the photographs were displayed on a large screen.
Lynn Hansen collaborated with photographer Karla Burns. Hansen’s three poems were “La Catrina,” “Cempasúchil, Marigolds,” and “Photobomb Debut.”
Nancy Haskett paired with photographer Rebecca Harvey. Her three poems were titled “Questions for Ai-Da,” “The Immigrant in 1900,” and “The House.”
Linda Prather Nelson worked with photographer Yulia Nemenova. Nelson’s poems were “Red Apple with Cutlery,” “Thoughts,” and “More than a Cheese Grater.”
Linda Scheller’s poems were “The Black Hole of the Past,” “Fire Season,” and “Father’s Day,” and her photographer was David Schroeder.
Pensacola Brings an Evening of Modern Poetry
By Terry Henry, Pensacola Branch
In February, at the invitation of Artel Gallery to complement its exhibit, “Word,” the Pensacola Branch presented a reading of contemporary American poetry titled “The Art of Words.” Seven members read poems by seven modern poets and then shared poems of their own.
Temple, Claire Massey, Lori Zavada, and Andrea Walker.
Photography by Anne Baehr
Realizing that poetry may be seen as lofty and intimidating to some, the organizers selected some especially descriptive poetry of Ada Limón, Ted Kooser, Mary Oliver, Louise Glück, Natasha Trethewey, Rita Dove, and Billy Collins. Readers were Andrea Walker, Claire Massey, Lori Zavada, Jessica Temple, Karen Morris, guest Debra Stogner, and myself. Branch President Nancy Nesvik extended her “sincerest thanks for having put forward such a positive impression of our organization to all those who attended.”
Even though it was a cold and rainy evening, over 60 people from all age ranges attended and were enthralled with the readings at Pensacola’s beautiful gallery.
As I was leaving, a woman approached me and said that she thoroughly enjoyed our readings and that while she had not read the works of the poets shared that evening, she could not wait to get started. The intention of making modern poetry less intimidating was met by branch members, and a new audience for poetry was born through “The Art of Words.”
Santa Clara County Honors Black History
By Luanna K. Leisure, Santa Clara County Branch President
Dorothy Atkins and Tina Jones Williams, members of the Santa Clara County Branch, honored the unique story and accomplishments of two well-renowned women, Madam C.J. Walker and Nikki Giovanni. The presentations were hosted on Zoom with at least 43 friends, family, and Pen Women in attendance, including National President Sheila M. Byrnes, and Executive Director and Treasurer Evelyn Wofford.
“Went from the cotton field to the wash house to the mansion.” — Madam C.J. Walker
Walker, born Sarah Breedlove (Dec. 23, 1867 – May 25, 1919) was an African American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and social activist. She is recorded as the first female self-made millionaire in America in the “Guinness Book of World Records.” Atkins wove a beautiful and educational history together in her presentation of Walker.
“I am so perfect so divine so ethereal so surreal, I cannot be comprehended except by my permission.” — Nikki Giovanni
Yolande Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni, born June 7, 1943, is an American poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. One of the world’s most well known African-American poets, she has won numerous awards, including the Langston Hughes Medal and NAACP Image Award, and was nominated for a Grammy Award. Williams’ presentation was enlightening, educational, and so interesting. Most in attendance had never heard of Giovanni. It was a delight to learn about such a fascinating and interesting woman.
Holly Reaches Out to The Community
By Joan Applebaum
The Holly Branch is taking the NLAPW mission statement regarding outreach activities very seriously. The branch, located in Central and Southern Delaware, started its year by reaching out into the larger community. In January, members invited four visual artists and one writer from the community to join them in their “Pen Women and Friends” exhibit at Dover Public Library. The well-attended reception was open to the public, and a poetry reading by our writers provided entertainment to all who had gathered to see the artwork.
On Feb. 8, the branch presented a guided painting class to the residents of Luther Village and Luther Towers of Dover. Both of these facilities provide low-income housing for seniors. The class was the brainchild of Pen Woman Kari Ann Ebert. She is an awardwinning poet and writer whose day job is fulfilling the duties of front desk security supervisor. She supervises two 24-hour security desks, with 11 employees working to ensure the safety and security of residents. Believing in the transformative power of the arts, Ebert worked with Patricia Robinson, director of social services, to develop an activity that the residents wouldn’t normally be able to afford. She submitted a proposal for an Arts Access Grant through Delaware Division of the Arts (pending approval). This grant would pay for all materials, making the guided painting class completely free of charge for residents.
At each facility, we had close to 20 eager participants; three Pen Women art instructors, Cade Gibson, Rosetta Roach, and myself; Ebert and another Pen Woman helper, Dorene Petrosky. Each participant had a good time creating her own personal masterpiece while chatting with friends and enjoying snacks provided by the facility.
The Holly Branch enjoyed the opportunity to present a fun, creative event for the residents. We must have been a hit, because we’ve been invited back.
Do we have more plans for reaching out into the community? You bet we do! In the spring, the Holly Branch will reach out toward the younger generation, discussing careers for artists and writers with a group of teens in an afterschool program. Community projects like these not only raise the public’s awareness of our mission, but also serve to inspire participants to experience authentic connections to the arts.
Chesapeake Bay Members Win Literary Awards
The Chesapeake Bay Branch won seven awards in the 2022 Soul-Making Keats literary competition in San Francisco, an outreach program by NLAPW. Sarah “Sally” Honenberger, the fiction and nonfiction editor for The Pen Woman, won first in the Short Story and received two honorable mentions in Flash Fiction and Novel Excerpt. Mary Ann Carr, the branch’s membership chair, won second in Short Story. Ilona Duncan won third place in both the Religious Essay and Memoir Vignette, and an honorable mention in Humor.
Since 2021, due to the pandemic and closure of the San Francisco Civic Center library, the annual awards ceremony has taken place on Zoom. On March 19, Honenberger, Carr, and Duncan gave three-minute readings. Branch member Gail Wilson Kenna, the competition’s creative nonfiction judge, also participated in the event. Congrats to all four of these members from Virginia.
Breaking Barriers: Pen Woman Presents Art Show and Class at Blind Conference
By Laura Jo Brunson, Jacksonville Branch
Vicky Lennon, a member of the Jacksonville Branch of Pen Women, is a visual artist whose use of color and texture leaps from the canvas. It’s a passion that can be challenging to share with her husband, John, because he is visually impaired. The couple is active in the visual arts and the visually impaired communities. So, when the National Federation of the Blind of Florida asked Lennon to curate an art exhibit fundraiser for the federation’s fall 2022 convention, she immediately said yes.
Because conferencegoers include both blind and sighted attendees, the pieces needed to be touched as well as seen. With the help of Pen Woman Cookie Davis working through The Art Center Cooperative, Inc., Lennon sent out a call for entries of 12-by-12 tactile squares, artist’s choice of wood or canvas. Attendees ranged in age from high school to retirement. The subject matter was the artist’s choice. The Braille Sisterhood of the Congregation Ahavath Chesed provided braille labels for the artwork.
Thirty percent of sales were earmarked for the federation while many artists donated more. In all, the show featured 30 pieces from Pen Women and other visual artists from Florida. Ten pieces sold, netting the National Federation of the Blind Florida $575.
Pen Women participating in the art exhibit were Mary Atwood, Mary McAllister, MaryAnn Miller, Mimi Piece, Stephanie Pyren-Fortel, Diane Rabideau-Wise, Susanne Schuenke, and Pat Setser, in addition to Lennon and Davis.
“It felt really rewarding to find a way to share my love of the visual arts with my blind and low-vision friends,” Lennon said. “The support from the Jacksonville Branch shows how Pen Women help build the creative community.”
And if the art show wasn’t daunting enough, Vicky also agreed to teach an art class for blind federation members. The class filled quickly with students of various ages, and the success is long-lasting.
“During the class, which lasted two hours, about 15 blind students created masterpieces on 8-by-10 canvases, which they could take home and hang,” she said. “It was exciting to see the premise of the federation in action – that blindness isn’t the defining characteristic of a person, and that blindness doesn’t limit a person’s creativity.
Branch News, Winter 2023
Golden Gate-Marin Celebrates 50 Years
By Lucy Arnold, Branch Vice President
Founded in 1972, our branch turned 50 years old in 2022. A celebration was in order!
On a beautiful day in September, we met under the trees by a creek in lovely Miwok Park in Novato. This was only our second in-person meeting since February 2020, so it was a very special event. I presented a poster listing all 99 branch members and 22 branch presidents from our founding in 1972 to present day.
One of our members, Joan Booséy, has been a branch member for 48 years. We thought it would be great to have her perspective of our branch’s history, and she graciously agreed to be interviewed by our historian, Anita Nelson.
Interview Excerpts with Joan Booséy by Anita Nelson
Q: What was your experience when you joined the Golden Gate-Marin Branch?
A: I first joined in 1974 and my first assignment, surprisingly, was show chair. Golden Gate-Marin has been quite active with staging exhibits, which is not a simple task. In early shows, a member wrote poetry in calligraphy form to complement our paintings.
At UCLA, my degree was in art, interior design, and textile arts. My special fascination has always been color and abstract landscapes, which I have named “Abscapes.” I also applied for membership in the then photographic category, and one of my photos graced The Pen Woman cover in 1984.
Q: How active was our branch with other NorCal Branches and what role did NorCal play?
A: NorCal at one time had 16 branches, but by 2010 there were only eight. Now, in 2022, we have five: DiabloAlameda, Santa Clara County, Golden Gate-Marin County, Modesto, and Stockton-Lodi.
When I was branch president, Helene Minelli from Santa Rosa, Zelma Stevens from Napa, and I organized annual social meetings (1987-2001) with our branches and the Nob-Hill/San Francisco Branch. We also had several three-day Asilomar retreats in Pacific Grove. It was lots of work to organize, but it was a special time to spend with other members. It was affordable, a bit rustic, but lots of fun.
NorCal had a very competitive annual juried art show that was a prerequisite to entry into any National show. In the early days, NorCal was the bridge connecting us to National.
Q: What venues did our branch use for exhibits?
A: We showed at Livingston’s Gallery in San Francisco, wineries in Sonoma and Napa, and banks in Marin as well as at department stores, the Commonwealth Club, Marin Civic Center, libraries, and private galleries.
In 2004, Anna Di Bella, National president, requested help dismantling the Biennial show at the Charles Sumner School of the Arts. I was sponsored by our branch to travel to Washington, D.C., and Ann Bausino of the Nob Hill Branch also came to help. With a great deal of effort, we packed and shipped 240 paintings back around the country. We stayed in the historic Pen Arts Building, NLAPW’s Victorian mansion headquarters.
Q: When did our branch newsletter, “Creative Connections” (CC), begin?
A: Around 2008, Melissa Woodburn created and edited the CC, primarily a newsletter with meeting minutes and announcements. Later, Linda Larsen redid the format and emphasized members’ accomplishments. We typed, stuffed envelopes, and used the U.S. Postal Service or telephone to communicate. About 2010 we began using the internet. Catherine Moreno and Lucy Arnold have co-edited the CC since 2015, and we have continued to evolve.
NorCal Introduces New Members
By Dorothy Atkins, NorCal President
On a lovely fall-like morning, the Santa Clara County Branch hosted a “show and tell” with the theme of “I’ll Show You What a Woman Can Do,” highlighting new members on Zoom. Eight new Pen Women from the NorCal branches (Diablo/Alameda, Golden Gate-Marin, Modesto, and Santa Clara County) graced us with their stories and creativeness. The well-attended meeting was both inspiring and motivational as we listened to Azar Vaghefi, Anika Yadav, Lucinda Watson, Sarah Stevenson, Rita Barbano, Lolly Owens, Gerri Forté, and prospective member Piayli Sumanta.
As the outreach chair and NorCal president, I used this opportunity to bridge branches and introduce our newest members. The goal was to keep vibrant healthy branches moving forward as we find creative professional women in all disciplines.
Omaha Hosts Special Luncheon
In August, the Omaha Branch hosted a special Celebration of Women’s Creativity Luncheon. The varied table settings each featured a different theme and highlighted a variety of books in all genres. The guest speaker came from a local tea shop, The Tea Smith. She brought four different carafes of tea for guests to sample as she gave a history of teas from around the world. The branch hopes to make this celebration an annual event and expand the luncheon to include more women artists from across the city.
Santa Clara County Stays Connected Socially
By Luanna K. Leisure, Santa Clara County Branch President
Some in our branch began to venture out in the public, attending events and going out to eat while we were still holding our meetings on Zoom. It became apparent we needed someone to organize strictly social events for our Pen Women who wanted to socialize in person. The idea was considered for the summer break only.
Patty Watkins Dick didn’t think long on the matter when she was asked to coordinate monthly luncheons at restaurants. She is a joyously happy and vivacious Pen Woman. It’s no surprise that vivacious means “full of life.”
Our luncheons have been a great success and Ms. Watkins Dick always delighted us with a new restaurant cuisine. At our last lunch, it was a unanimous cheer to continue the lunches throughout the year.
Diablo-Alameda Recognizes Members for Decades of Service
On Oct. 21, at the 4th Celebrate Women! NorCal Art Exhibition in Hayward City Hall, those who have been NLAPW members for more than 20 years received certificates recognizing their leadership. Using calligraphy, Pat Doyne crafted certificates; Margaret Davis created lovely hand-lettered name tags.
“As you get older, you become invisible,” said Melissa Woodburn, president of Golden Gate-Marin Branch. “I am extremely touched and surprised that anyone would think to recognize me for my decades of leadership.”
Debbie Patrick, show chair for Golden Gate-Marin, received the Eupha Thompson Award for her pastel, “Refugee,” given by Gerald Thompson.
Thompson with Patrick’s “Refugee” painting.
Debra Nimmer’s voice filled the rotunda with her original, heartwarming rendition of “Happy Birthday, Dear Charlotte.” Jo Ann Frisch and Ruey Syrop displayed books and memorabilia.
Hayward Arts Council (HAC) members helped to make this event memorable for the large, enthusiastic crowd. The exhibit was hung by Gerry Thompson; Ruey Syrop, curator of the John O’Lague Galleria; and Winda Shimizu, HAC executive director.
The Art Show Committee was chaired by Pat Doyne, Usha Shukla, Charlotte Severin, and Winifred Thompson.
Pensacola Enjoys Enchanting Performances
By Karen Morris
To our pleasure and delight, we were transported to the magical realms of music and dance at two recent meetings, thanks to presentations that reflected how our branch involves our interested future members and encourages them on their journey to National membership.
As an autumn treat, Carolyn Tokson reimagined Paris in the 1920s with her program, “Jazz at Brick Top’s in Paris.” In an animated narrative of the era, she focused on the career of Ada “Bricktop” Smith, an African-American singer living and performing in the same era as the famous Josephine Baker. Carolyn, a board member of Jazz Pensacola, regaled us with her own performance of jazz hits of that time — in French, of course — accompanied by Steve Douglas, bass player and guitarist, who added even more delight with his instructive facts about jazz rhythms as well as his skilled playing.
Last spring, we were all mesmerized as dancer Genevieve Fortner performed four short dance pieces choreographed as interpretations of members’ writings and art. Her elegant and passionate performances left us in awe. Trained at Princeton Ballet School, Genevieve now performs with Ballet Pensacola and teaches ballet, jazz, and modern. Her performance for us capped a “beautiful and enriching collaboration,” said President Nancy Nesvik. We will always remember the enchanted moments of these special performances.
Coral Gables reCovers Resources into Fashion
The Coral Gables Branch was asked to work on an exhibition together with the fashion department of the University of St. Thomas, the alma mater of branch President Marilyn Valiente. The goal of the exhibition, titled “reCover,” was to bring awareness to the challenges of consumerism. The artists were asked to create fashion from recycled materials, generating a new cycle of “reconfiguration and recycling.”
Valiente, who was one of the exhibiting artists, also curated the exhibit together with guest university curator Jean Font. Other branch members who participated included Mila Hajjar (treasurer) and Maruchi Carmona (membership chair), joined by invited guests Perla Gonzalez and Sal Sidner.
“These artists, all deeply concerned with the environmental sustainability, come together to create work that inspires the next generation of fashion designers and marketers,” the curators’ statement says. “Artists have an uncanny ability to dig deep into their resources, reusing materials and repurposing objects to make something new and exciting from what others would disregard.”
The exhibit was hosted at the Archbishop John C. Favalora Archives and Museum at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida.