2010 Scholarship

The Roanoke Valley Pen Women will grant a scholarship of a minimum $100 to a woman age thirty or older who has either returned to college or entered college for the first time, and who is taking one or more classes for credit in the arts, letters, or music at a college or university within 75 miles of Roanoke.

The money is to be used either for supplies (textbooks, art supplies, paper, software, etc.) or for other expenses related to college attendance.

Women interested in receiving the grant for fall 2010 must apply to the Roanoke Valley Pen Women on or before May 1, 2010. The application should include the following:

•Statement of interest:
Contact information at top of page: name, address, phone, email.
A paragraph explaining the recipient’s reason for taking the class or returning to school.
A paragraph explaining the recipient’s career goals.

•A work sample in one of the following:
Letters: an example (2-10 pages) of either published or unpublished fiction (short story, novel excerpt), non-fiction (article, essay), poetry (three poems) or a combination thereof.
Arts: CD or DVD of jpegs of artwork (paintings, drawings, sculpture, pottery, fiber art, photographs, etc.).
Music (composer, performer, choreographer): CD or DVD of performance.
Applicants who want work samples returned should provide a self-addressed mailer with sufficient postage.

•Verification of class enrollment or college acceptance (a photocopy of acceptance letter, student ID, or receipt for payment of tuition).

The scholarship recipient is encouraged to report back to the Roanoke Valley Pen Women, either by mail/email or as a guest at a future Pen Women meeting to inform the membership how the scholarship helped her accomplish a goal.

Send applications to Peggy Shifflett, 700 Cherrywood Street, Salem, VA 24153 or to Becky Mushko, 8 Listening Hill Road, Penhook, VA, 24137

April 2010 Meeting

The Roanoke Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women met on Wednesday, April 7 at Mamma Maria's in Salem.

Guests were Diane Cayton-Hakey, Meg Hibbert and guest speaker Fred First.

Mr. First writes Fragments From Floyd, a popular blog, and has self-published several books about life in his community, sustainability, and related issues.

Below is a video, courtesy of Ms. Cayton-Hakey, with a little taste of the discussion during the meeting. That is followed by photos of various members who enjoyed the afternoon.




Author Fred First laughs with former Pen Women president Margaret Dubois and current President Peggy Shifflett.

Peggy Shifflett, Vice President Becky Musko, and guest Diane Cayton-Hakey.

From left: Diane Cayton Hakey, Meg Hibbert, Beth Ann Rossi, Pat Bijwaard, and Gail Lambert.

From left: Margaret DuBois and Peggy Shifflett

Guest speaker Fred First makes a point during his discussion of self-publishing.

Pat Bijwaard

Fred First

From left: Beth Ann Rossi and Pat Bijwaard

Becky Mushko

Gail Lambert

Margaret DuBois

Guest speaker Fred First.

Photos courtesy of Anita Firebaugh and Diane Cayton-Hakey.