A bagel brunch in October, hosted by president Brenda Dressler, was a tasty and fun opening event. From November to April, members gathered once a month at Mariposa restaurant at Neiman Marcus in Boca Raton for a delicious lunch, lively discussions, and educational programs.

In December, Evan Bennett, PhD presented a fascinating audio visual program about two Black women artists – Mary Ann Carroll and Zora Neal Hurston – who influenced life in Florida. In January, Terryl Lawrence, Palm Beach State College professor, educated us about the colorful life and work of Art Deco artist Tamara de Lempica.

The local police department volunteer team joined us in February to provide valuable tips on avoiding scams and staying safe. In March Dr. Ellen Kamhi, a holistic health nurse, educator and author presented an audio-visual program about foods and natural botanicals that promote health.

Our closing luncheon in April featured Jennifer Wilson, Palm Beach Opera Education Manager and Studio Director, who shared clips from famous operas where card games played a dramatic role. Following her program, the Boca Pen Women presented Mallory Goddard, a student at the Palm Beach Opera Studio Program, with a Music Achievement Award for her outstanding accomplishments, and to assist her in continuing her music studies. Jennifer and Mallory, both talented sopranos, sang an aria for us.

The branch’s student achievement awards are funded by monthly luncheon raffles. Members bid on donated one-of-a-kind items, including jewelry, accessories, decorative items and gift cards. Achievement awards support exceptional students pursuing careers in art, music and letters.

In April branch artists showcased their art work at the Delray Beach Public Library art gallery. The show’s theme – Reflections – was discussed at an opening art reception where authors read poetry and prose, and artists discussed how their work reflected their interpretations of the world.

Boca Pen Women gathered in May for a final fundraising event of the season at Alice’s Teapot Café in Delray Beach, where everyone enjoyed tasty sandwiches, pastries, tea, and camaraderie in an Alice-in-wonderland setting.

Free community enrichment programs were an important part of the branch’s yearly activities. Boca Pen Women presented a flash fiction writing workshop in September and a publishing workshop in February at the Delray Beach Public Library in collaboration with the South Florida Women’s National Book Association.

The success of the season’s fundraising was made possible through donations from local friends and branch members; from generous contributions from Publix Super Markets, Inc.; Siperstein Dermatology, and branch member Phyllis Elrich.

Giving back to the local community that supports us is a vital part of the Boca Raton branch’s agenda. We were pleased to offer monetary donations to the Delray Beach Public Library’s cultural programs and to the Boca Raton Helping Hand Foodbank.

Photographs by Carol White.

The post Boca Raton Pen Women Reflect on the 2025 – 2026 Season 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.