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Welcome to the Boca Raton Branch of the National League of American Pen Women. The National League of American Pen Women was founded in 1897 to promote the development of creative women in the arts. Our Boca Raton Branch is the largest branch in Florida, and one of the largest in the nation. In April 2005, we celebrated our 30th birthday!

Our branch, whose proud history originated with a modest “baker’s dozen” in 1975, now boasts nearly 100 members. They bring diverse talents in all areas of the arts not only to our monthly program luncheons, but to the entire community. Among our members you’ll find newspaper and magazine writers, screenplay and book authors, sculptors and painters in all media, photographers, public relations and advertising experts, musicians and composers.

Our branch has long been active in the community, routinely reaching out with writing programs and contests, as well as public art shows. However, we also develop programs with longer and more involved goals. In fiscal year 2004-2005, for instance, the branch developed an outreach program with the Gateways Book Program to aid those incarcerated in the Girls Juvenile Detention Center in West Palm Beach. The branch presents monthly workshops with the girls and collects books, which helped to establish a library at the center. Another outreach program was designed to help Palm Beach County teachers by offering members’ talents and expertise in the arts for use in the classroom. These outreach programs are important not only in serving the community, but because they help the organization maintain its not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) status.

The Boca Raton Branch is an active member of the Florida State Association and the National League. Jean Holmes, as past president of the Boca branch who served two terms as the Florida State Association president, has been elected as First Vice President of the National League of American Pen Women, which puts her in line to advance to the national presidency in 2010. Branch Music Member Sheila Firestone is serving a 2-year-term as recording secretary of the Florida State Association.

The branch holds program luncheon meetings the 3rd Thursday of the month, from October through May, at the Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel. (See the Contact Us page for location details.)

To get specific information about becoming a member of the Boca Raton Branch, please see our Membership page.

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Boca Raton Branch of the National League of American Pen Women, Inc.