Central New York (CNY) Branch Celebrates Centennial Anniversary
Marking their 100th anniversary as a branch of the National League of American Pen Women, the Central New York (CNY) Branch gathered at the Springside Inn in Auburn, NY for the special event on October 18, 2026. Co-Chairs Karen Hempson and Mary Gardner and their committee worked for nearly a year to plan the event which included a brunch, an original short play by member Coni Koepfinger, an exhibit of Pen Women art, and sensational guests. New York State Senator Rachel May pr
Playwright Coni Koepfinger New Play "Paulie & Me"
Coni Koepfinger, resident playwright and Creative Director of the New Play Exchange, has written a play that will premiere in NYC this coming January 13-24, 2027. Titled "Paulie & Me," Coni's new work grew out of her friendship and working relationship with Paul Eisemann. Koepfinger says that this new play is "the best thing I have ever written." Theatre friends Koepfinger and Eisemann had started working on the play together when a terrible explosion compromised Paul's life.
Artist Susan Murphy's Work Featured in Multiple Shows
Susan Murphy has been a very busy artist with two prints featured in the New Woodstock Library with the Cazenovia Watercolor Society. She currently has three paintings in the Buffalo & Erie County Botanial Gardens exhibition that runs through September 2026. In addition, Susan has artwork juried into the Niagara Falls Watercolor Society Show at the Western Artist Group Gallery, the exhibition running from October 9 through November 13, 2026. This amazing artist also has three
Lisa Harris and Nancy Dafoe with New Books Released
Lisa Harris has written a new book of poetry titled Learning to Pray. Reviewed, book is a "lovely and startling collection of poetry that excavates our natural world and our frightening contrived one. How to love and connect, to find holiness amid nature and with each other." It is available in multiple formats, including Kindle. Nancy Dafoe's new novel The Woman Who Talked After Death was released from the publisher Pen Women Press on September 1, 2026. The literary novel, D
Vanessa Johnson Presents at the Emancipation Day Festival in Peterboro
Vanessa Johnson shown above at far left. Griot writer, and artist Vanessa Johnson presented at the annual Emancipation Day Festival at the Gerrit Smith Estate and the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum in Peterboro, NY on August 1, 2026. Post-Standard (7/28/26) carried a beautiful photo of our colleague Vanessa Johnson, announcing her presentation at the annual Emancipation Day Festival at the Gerrit Smith Estate and National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum in Pete
Nancy Dafoe elected NLAPW President. Sheila M. Byrnes and Janine DeBaise Hold National Offices
Nancy Dafoe has assumed the responsibilities of the NLPAW President beginning on April 26, 2026. Immediate Past President Sheila M. Byrnes continues to serve on the National Board of Directors as Historian and has been named as the League's Chief Negotiator. Janine DeBaise has been named to the National Board as Governance Chair and continues in her role as National Credentials Chair for Letters. The Central New York Branch currently has three members on the NLAPW Board of Di
Mary L. Garder's New Book and Review
Mary L. Gardner recently held a reading and launch of Second Looks: Memoir in Essay and Poetry at the Skaneateles Library in Skaneateles, NY. Her new collection of poetry and essay published by Clare Songbirds Publishing House is available from the author, from Skaneateles Artisans, The Book She Reads, and will soon be available online through Amazon for a retail price of $14.95. Following her book launch, Gardner was featured in The Eagle News' The Press Observer in an artic
CNY Branch Hosts League's Celebratory 52nd Biennial in Washington, D.C.
The Central New York Branch hosted the NLAPW's 52nd Biennial in Washington, D.C. on the weekend of April 24-26, 2026. The celebratory Biennial, in recognition of the Branch's 100th anniversary, was held at both the Darcy boutique hotel on Rhode Island Ave. and at the League's home in Pen Arts on 17th Street in DuPont Circle. Sheila M. Byrnes presided over the Biennial and graciously inducted the new President Nancy Avery Dafoe and new Board officers and Chairs, including CNY'
Lifted as We Climb
Central New York (CNY) Branch Pen Women shared in the immersive experience of Pen Woman Vanessa Johnson’s mixed media fiber art exhibition staged at the Matilda Joslyn Gage Center in Fayetteville, New York on Saturday, April 18 th , 2026. Johnson’s show, “Lifting As We Climb,” is an expansive tribute to the hard-fought battles and sacrifices of women of color who contributed to women’s access to voting, combined with the attention they brought to gender and racial barriers in
CNY Branch Centennial Year Makes the News
The Syracuse Post Standard ran a lovely story on the CNY Branch and its history in this, the 100th year of our anniversary (October 2026). Here is a link to the news story. Enjoy! https://www.syracuse.com/living/2026/03/recognize-these-names-cny-womens-group-searches-for-long-lost-relatives-for-its-centennial.html
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