Officers

President
Sheila Firestone
Music

Sheila Firestone is a composer, holds a M.S. Ed degree, is the Music Chair of the Boca Raton NLAPW since 2003, and was Branch President from 2014  to 2018.  As a Delian Society member, Sheila’s orchestral works were performed in Seattle WA, France, England, and Japan. Sheila’s Trio and Dance was performed in Washington DC. Her choral work, Abraham Lincoln, was published in the NLAPW, Happy Birthday, Mr. Lincoln Commemorative Collage.

In 2016 Sheila won 2nd Place in the National Vinnie Ream Music Competition. Sheila was Patroness President of the University of Miami Music Fraternity (1996-2005), which dedicated annual concerts to her works. She founded Songs for a New Day, publishing whole-language songs and activities.  Web site: www.sheilafirestone.com

Email: sheilasong@mac.com

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.

2nd Co-Vice President, Membership

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

Co-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

Co-TREASURER

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.

COMMITTEES

Chaplain: Dr. Barbara Lunde
Art Chair: Phyllis Elrich
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