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Letter from the National President Sheila M. Byrnes, Summer 2024
A Celebration!
The NLAPW 51st Biennial took place at The Westin Great Southern Columbus Hotel in Columbus on April 26-28. The event could not have gone smoother. Georgia O’Keefe’s “To Create Takes Courage” was the Biennial theme. O’Keefe dedicated her life to art, and she made no apologies about the art she created. She loved what she created. Like many Pen Women, O’Keefe lived into her 90s and painted every day.
Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to gather in person, make new friends, renew friendships, and network with likeminded Pen Women across the country while attending stimulating art, letters, and music presentations. Seventeen branches were represented, and 16 members attended their first Biennial.
Angela Meleca, past executive director of CreativeOhio and gallery owner, was the keynote speaker at the Vinnie Ream Banquet. She shared her insights, strategies, and wisdom to inspire new advocacy avenues for all arts and arts organizations.
NLAPW fourth vice president, Jan Schaberg, created a seven-minute video of Vinnie Ream that was shown for the first time at the Vinnie Ream Banquet. Visit the 51st Biennial page to view the inspiring video.
Nannette Maciejunes, emeritus executive director and CEO of the Columbus Museum of Art, was the keynote speaker for the Music and Art Luncheon. She was also the juror for the Biennial Art Competition. Historical novelist and IPPY gold medal winner Linda Kass was the Letters Luncheon speaker. Kass donated 70 of her books for the attendees. She has been given an honorary one-year membership to NLAPW by the Central Ohio Branch.
The beautiful Priscilla R. Tyson Cultural Arts Center was the setting for the Music Awards Performance Saturday afternoon. Because of the generosity of the Johnstone Fund for New Music, the award-winning compositions were performed by Ohio professional musicians. The arts center also served as the site for the Biennial Arts Exhibit and lovely reception. Karin Dahl was the recipient of the onetime Jeny Reynolds Art Award for Creativity ($1,000).
Sunday featured the memorial for 2022-24 Pen Women, officiated by the Rev. Robin J. Moscati. Following the memorial service, she installed the 2024-26 League officers.
At the business meeting, the Central New York Branch extended an invitation to host the 2026 NLAPW Biennial in Washington, D.C. The invitation was accepted unanimously. The branch will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026, and will kick off the celebration by hosting the national conference. Be sure to mark your calendars for our 52nd Biennial in April 2026.
In addition to the successful Biennial, another successful writers retreat led by Second Vice President Nancy Dafoe was hosted recently at our Pen Arts headquarters. The attendees enjoyed the retreat and the opportunity to stay at the Pen Arts Building. Another retreat is planned for the fall.
The details of the new cross-genre competition for all NLAPW members were unveiled at the Biennial. This exciting competition (in the off years from the Biennial) will help foster new friendships and relationships between members working in different genres and, in many cases, in different parts of the country, in other branches.
The League and our Pen Arts Building continue to establish a presence in D.C. On May 22, NLAPW cosponsored a Salute to DC Women Journalists with the National Women’s Foundation and the Ethel Payne Empowerment Foundation. During the program, the Payne Foundation awarded scholarships to several young women who are pursing a degree in journalism. Considering that our League was founded by 17 female journalists, this was certainly a fitting endeavor. It was also very nice that the writers workshop attendees could help with hosting duties.
The League also continues to participate in the Dupont Circle First Friday Art Walks, which are always well attended.
See President’s Letters Archive for past letters.