President
1st Vice President, Programs
Dr. Brenda Dressler
Letters
Brenda Dressler, PhD, a Human Sexuality and HIV/AIDs Prevention educator, is a visiting professor/consultant at Touro College in New York City during the summer months. In addition to writing seven HIV/AIDS Prevention Education curricula for grades K-6, that were published and used in schools in 48 states, she was awarded ten research grants and continues to present at conferences. In the summer of 2010, Brenda taught a workshop on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education at the Hebrew University in Israel. She also taught HIV/AIDS Prevention in Uganda at Kampala University Treatment Centers and in primary and secondary schools. Currently, Brenda is writing a book, Sex Beyond 60: Myths and Facts.
Email: Dr_Brenda@aol.com
Co-Chair & Vice President, Programs
Linda Fisher
Letters
Linda Susan Fisher writes poems, essays and short stories. Her book, A Soul Grown Bold, is an illustrated poetry book documenting her journey of healing from a relationship. An essay, A Magical Christmas, was published in Tales2Inspire, The Jade Collection, and her essay, Senior, appears in The Writers’ Journal, Live and Learn. Senior was presented on stage at the Arts Garage as part of ‘Delray Stories.’
Linda is from Philadelphia, PA and lives in Delray Beach, where she writes, dances, volunteers, and savors the sun, sand and sea. She is a certified meditation instructor and a Reiki master.
Email: lindasusanpoet@gmail.com
Membership Chair
2nd Vice President
Louise Parente, PhD, LCSW, CEDS
Letters
Dr. Louise Parente is a certified eating disorder specialist, psychotherapist, educator, supervisor and personal coach. She was an Assistant Professor at New York University School of Social Work. In 2020, Dr. Parente was awarded the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. She is the author of Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow: Saying goodbye to an eating problem.
Louise conducts presentations on her specialty topics at conferences, symposiums, hospitals and other venues. She is a native of Staten Island and now resides in Florida and New Jersey. Visit her website to read an excerpt of her book.
Email: lparentephd@yahoo.com
Treasurer
3rd Vice President
Website Administration
Elaine Bossik
Letters
Elaine Bossik is a novelist and screenwriter. Her debut novel, The Last Victim, is a literary romance about a family dominated by a mother obsessed with hoarding money. As a staff writer for Scriptologist.com, Elaine wrote articles for aspiring screenwriters. After receiving BA and MS degrees from Brooklyn College in NY, Elaine pursued multiple careers – teacher, advertising copywriter, magazine editor, and medical writer.
Elaine conducts book talks, book club and panel discussions, and writing workshops.
Email: elainebossik@yahoo.com
Newsletter Editor
Carol White
Letters
Carol White has been a member of the Boca Raton Branch for over 20 years. She is an award-winning novelist, playwright, photographer, and freelance writer. Carol is the official photographer for the Boca Raton Branch as well as for two other organizations. Her essays and columns have been published by The Sun Sentinel, Writers Journal, Insight for Playwrights, Working Writers, Woman’s World, The Florida Writer, and Senior Scene.
Her organizations: South Florida Theatre League, Florida Writers Association, Florida Mystery Writers, and National Women’s Book Association. She was the former Executive Producer for the Boca Raton Theatre Guild.
Email: polowhite@aol.com
Recording Secretary
Dayle Herstik
Letters
Dayle Herstik has been writing since her teens. Her collection of poems, When We Were Perfect, reflects her thoughts and feelings which evolved over the years. Her collection of flash fiction, Life Happens, is based on her true life experiences. She is presently working on her next publication, based on her philosophy of life as it relates to nature. It can be said that she was influenced by her mother, Ruth Grande Halle, who was a member of the Boca Raton Branch of Pen Women.
Email: Dayle227@aol.com
Corresponding Secretary
Dr. Barbara Lunde
Letters
As founder and director of the Center for Spiritual Living, Boca Raton, Dr. Barbara Lunde has been a spiritual leader in South Florida since 1981. She is best known for her inspiring, uplifting and life-changing lectures. She is a gifted orator and teacher. Her recognizable voice from her frequent radio broadcasts on spirituality and positive living have been heard throughout the country. Dr. Barbara has delivered thousands of lectures and inspirational messages over the years and continues to this day, empowering everyone lucky enough to hear her speak.
Email: sombl@aol.com
COMMITTEES
Chaplain: Dr. Barbara Lunde
Art Chair: Roslyn Ross-Hoffman
Fundraising: Carol White, Phyllis Elrich, Elaine Bossik
Letters Chair: Carol White
Poetry Chair: Marlene Klotz
Music Chair: Sheila Firestone
Newsletter Editor-in-Chief: Carol White
Website Editor: Elaine Bossik
PAST PRESIDENTS BOCA RATON BRANCH, NLAPW (* deceased)
1975-1976 Bea Erwe*
1976-1978 Gay Diss*
1978-1980 Athea Duron*
1980-1982 Julie Malear
1982-1984 Mildred Reid*
1984-1986 Katherine Sisson*
1986-1988 Edith Mize Louis*
1988-1990 Joyce Stedelbauer
1990-1992 Rozanna LeWinter*
1992-1994 Betty Feder*
1994-1996 Jean E. Holmes
1996-1998 Jean E. Holmes
1998-2000 Bea Doone Merena
2000-2002 Dori Popenoe*
2002-2004 Phoebe Marner
2004-2006 Pat Wilson
2006-2008 Pat Wilson
2008-2010 Myra F. Levick, PhD and Diane-Brenda Bryan (co-presidents)
2010-2012 Diane-Brenda Bryan
2012-2014 Mary F. Twitty
2014-Oct. 2014 Cora Lee Palma-Hayden
2014 -2018 Sheila Firestone
2018-2020 Elaine Bossik and Prue Carrico (co-presidents)
2020-2021 Alexandra Goodwin (co-president)
2020-2022 Dayle Herstik
2022- 2023 Michelle Putnik
2023-2024 Sheila Firestone
2024-2025 Sheila Firestone, Brenda Dressler, PhD
2025 -2026 Brenda Dressler, PhD