The National League of American Penwomen, Inc., was founded in 1897, although the
"National" Designation was not added until 1921, and legally attached in 1926.
In 1886, the need for an organization that would include women of the press impelled newspaper woman, Marion Longfellow O'Donohue, to resolve to found one. She met with Margaret Sullivan Burke, who was the first woman admitted to the Press Gallery, and a regularly accredited telegraphic correspondent; and Anna Sanborne Hamilton, Social Editor of The Washington Post and a special proofreader for the United States Government. The three discussed plans "for bringing together women journalists, authors and illustrators for mutual benefits and the strength that comes from union".
On June 26, 1897, at a gathering of 20 charter members, Mrs. O'Donohue defined the purpose of the organization as promoting "more concentrated action on such matters as the libel law, better copyright laws, plagiarism, and for inspiration and mutual aid".
By the end of the first year, The League was incorporated with a membership of 50 professional women
writers, composers and artists from throughout the country.
By 1921, membership had reached 1,350. Present membership is almost 5,000 in 200 branches, with 32 State Associations.
Napa Branch
The Napa Branch of the League was started by artist Zelma Stevens in 1982 and Ms. Stevens became the first president. In 1986, Ms. Stevens and the Napa Pen Women founded the Bernice Dunn Fine Arts Scholarship Fund in honor of local arts columnist Bernice Dunn, one of the Napa Branch founders, who had died shortly after the branch was begun.
Membership in Pen Women is by invitation.
Present membership is twenty-five: 8 letters members, 16 artists, and one music member.
For more information contact:
| Helene Le Blanc, President 280 Crystal Springs Road St. Helena, CA (707) 963-5182 |
