Memoir author Romola Hodos, the featured speaker, presented a fascinating talk about how she grew up as the daughter of the notorious porn king of Times Square. Romola related shocking details about her childhood journey through abuse and trauma. Her published book, The Princess of 42nd Street: Surviving My Childhood as the Daughter of Times Square’s King of Porn, is an inspirational story of how she overcame incredible odds and became a successful businesswoman.

Romola appears in a new Netflix documentary series, The Times Square Killer, in which she tells part of her personal story. The series dramatizes the seedy crime-ridden scene in and around Times Square in the 1970s. It will air on December 29, 2021.

A raffle to support our student achievement program followed the program. Members and guests bid on one-of-a-kind donated items, including jewelry and a gift card donated by Publix Super Markets. Raffle proceeds will fund awards for talented students who need financial assistance to pursue careers in the arts.

An annual community outreach event for teens at the Milagro Center in Delray Beach is also supported through our fundraising raffles. Boca Pen Women were pleased to offer a contribution to the Milagro Teen Center this season.
The success of the raffle at this program was made possible through generous gifts from many individual contributors who donated items and from Publix Super Markets, Inc.

Pen Women and Guests

The post Boca Raton Pen Women Enjoy First In-Person Luncheon of the Season appeared first on Boca Pen Women.

The Boca Raton Branch National League of American Pen Women celebrated the creative writing talent of three Florida High School seniors in an award ceremony on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at the Delray Beach Golf Club.

From Left: Krystal Bogle, Alexandra J. Monte, Arielle Matthews

Kyrstal Bogle and Arielle Matthews, who attend after school programs at the Milagro Center in Delray Beach, Florida, won an essay competition sponsored by the Boca Raton Pen Women. Both young women will attend college in the Fall and plan to use their award grants for their education.

From Left: Sheila Firestone (President), Alexandra J. Monte, Marlene Klotz

Alexandra J. Monte won The Marlene Klotz Achievement Award for her essay, If Dreams Come True. This special grant was generously sponsored by Boca Raton Pen Woman Marlene Klotz and the Boca Raton Pen Women. Ms. Monte plans to major in creative writing at college.

Following a celebratory luncheon with the Boca Pen women and guests, the students read their winning essays and accepted their awards.

The post Three Students Received Achievement Awards From Boca Raton Pen Women appeared first on Boca Pen Women.

The lively party, held at the Milagro Center in Delray Beach, Florida, featured singing, dancing, drumming, storytelling and kazoo playing. Sheila Firestone, Danya Firestone (a visiting college student), Marlene Klotz, Meryle Davids Landau, Etta Schaeffer and Carol White were on hand to help with party activities.

The teens enjoyed tasty refreshments, provided by Fresh Market of Delray Beach, that included a platter of sandwiches, a cheese/fruit tray and cookies. Many holiday gifts were distributed to the teens — gift cards, packets of Sharpie pens for art projects, and 2017 Top Dog Model Calendars donated by Jo Jo Harder.

Sheila Firestone, President of the Boca Raton Branch NLAPW, planned the event to benefit students who attend the many after school enrichment activities offered at the Milagro Teen Center, under the direction of Mr. Anthony and Ms. Jeaneen.

This special event was made possible through generous contributions from members of the Boca Raton Branch NLAPW and Fresh Market of Delray Beach.

The post Boca Raton Pen Women Host a Holiday Party for Milagro Center Teens appeared first on Boca Pen Women.

In a special event – Portraits of Our Sages – on February 29, 2016, at the Center for Spiritual Living in Boca Raton, Florida, Pen members, families, friends and admirers came together to honor these seven outstanding sages and hear the personal stories of their lives and accomplishments.

Sheila Firestone, President of the Boca Raton NLAPW, first introduced the idea for this event when she said, “If we don’t hear their stories now, no one will know who these wonderful women are.” Sheila’s inspiration for planning this event were these seven special sages: Diane Brenda Bryan, Connie Lefkowitz, Dr. Myra Levick, Bea Doone-Merena, Helen Regenstreif, Virginia Snyder and Mary Twitty.

Diane Brenda Bryan (left), Helen Regenstreif (seated), Etta Schaeffer (right)

Diane Brenda Bryan is the author of four novels. As a former actor, she appeared in off-Broadway theater in NY. She continued her love for acting by establishing and directing Theaterama, a regional theater in Bethpage, NY. Diane is at work on a new book.

Connie Lefkowitz is a talented sculptor whose award-winning creations, in alabaster and other mediums, were exhibited

Myra Levick and Connie Leftkowitz

in the Boca Raton Artists’ Guild Gallery in Delray Beach, FL and other venues. Her sculpture, Soldier in the Field, was transported to a rehabilitation facility in Jerusalem where it stands in tribute to those who served in the Israeli armed forces. After retiring from her early career as a guidance counselor in Newark, NJ, Connie studied sculpting in NYC and Florida. Her strikingly beautiful sculptures continue to delight viewers.

Dr. Myra Levick is an artist, art psychotherapist, and author of five books and numerous published articles.

She established the first graduate art therapy program at Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia and started the American Art Therapy Association. As a professor at Hahnemann, Myra directed three graduate training programs in art, dance/movement, and music therapy. She continues to paint and contribute to the field of art therapy.

Bea Doone-Merena is an accomplished artist who has mastered the art of classical realism. Her award-winning oil paintings are reminiscent of Renaissance masters. Bea’s portraits and figure paintings have been exhibited in numerous Florida galleries and museums. Bea’s creativity also extends to clothing design. She continues to study the old masters and create outstanding paintings.

Helen Regenstreif is a skilled watercolor artist and enamel on copper artist. During her early career as a high school teacher, Helen became interested in enamel on copper art and studied the techniques necessary to master this specialty. She later traveled to China where she had a traditional Chinese seal, called a chop, designed for her unique signature. She now signs all her art work with her inked chop.

Virginia Snyder

Virginia Snyder is an author, the first female private investigator in Florida, and a human rights activist. Her career as an investigative reporter, covering murders, corruption and the judicial system, inspired her book, And Justice For All. It is believed that Virginia’s work influenced the TV show, Murder She Wrote. Virginia earned numerous awards, including a 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Mary Twitty

Mary F. Twitty is a prolific author of eight novels that weave history with fiction. She also writes children’s books. Hallelujah, What A Ride is Mary’s most recent novel. Her ninth book is in the publishing pipeline, and she is at work penning a tenth novel. Mary’s early career took her to Washington, DC where she served as Special Assistant to two members of the U. S. Congress.

Musical accompaniment for the program was provided by concert pianist and fellow Pen woman, Fedora Horowitz, and composer and Pen President, Sheila Firestone. Marlene Klotz, Pen Poetry Chairman, introduced the sages and presented each honoree with a rose and a copy of Spirit, Peace and Joy, an anthology of poems by Pen Women, published by Pen Women Press.

A lively reception, organized by fellow Pen Women, Prue Carrico and Dayle Herstik, followed the program. Pen members and guests mingled with the sages and admired some of their creative art and books on exhibit. Refreshments added a delicious finishing touch to a very special day.

This memorable event was featured in a Sun Sentinel article – Honoring Sages: Pen women make their mark.

The post Seven Pen Women Sages Are Honored in a Celebration Event appeared first on Boca Pen Women.