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. The Boca Raton Branch is one of the largest branches in Florida, and one of the largest in the nation. In April 2024, we celebrated our 46th birthday!
Our Branch, whose history started in 1975 with twelve members, now has thirty-five national members and three patron members who support our efforts. Members bring diverse talents in all areas of the arts to our programs in the community. Among our members you’ll find newspaper and magazine writers, screenplay and book authors, sculptors and painters, photographers, public relations and advertising experts, composers and allied professionals. Allied professional membership is open to gallery/museum curators; video, television, theater and film producers and directors; music conductors, and performing artists in opera, ballet, symphonic orchestras, contemporary music, drama, film, dance, choral and theater.
Our mission as a 501(c)3 organization is to serve our communities through the arts. We offer many varied programs for the local community, including writing workshops, art exhibits, book talks and panel discussions. Our outreach programs assist specific local groups with special needs. We developed an outreach program with the Gateways Book Program to aid the Girls Juvenile Detention Center in West Palm Beach. Another program offered Palm Beach County teachers our members’ talents and expertise in the arts for use in the classroom. In 2015 we initiated an annual holiday Party of the Arts Program at the Milagro Teen Center for the Expressive Arts in Delray Beach. Many of our members have conducted small group instructional workshops in writing, art and music for the teens.
Our Achievement Awards Program provides monetary awards to outstanding high school seniors and Palm Beach County college students to promote their careers in art, writing and music. Candidates for awards are selected every two years. In 2018, the Branch provided additional awards to students with financial need who demonstrated talent in the arts. In 2019, one high school student and two college students received $1,000 each for achievement in letters, music and art. In 2020, a college student studying music composition was awarded $1,000. In 2024 two art students received $1250 each for achievements in art.
The Boca Raton Branch is an active member of the Florida State Association and the NLAPW. Several of our members have served on the Executive Boards of the Florida State Association and the National League of American Pen Women.
The Boca Raton Branch holds program luncheon meetings once a month. Our luncheons are held from November through April at local venues. (See the Luncheon page for location details.)
For specific information about becoming a member of the Boca Raton Branch, please visit our Membership page.