Lambert Wins Honorable Mention

Pen Women member Gail Lambert has won Honorable Mention in the 2010 Leapfrog Fiction Contest.

Her story, “Aesop: The Storyteller” is set in the ancient Greek world of slaves, sailors, merchants, wars and gods; all of which contribute to the slave boy Aesop’s eventual fame as the most celebrated storyteller in all of history.

Lambert holds a Graduate Degree in Children’s Literature from Hollins University as well as a BA and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. She was a frequent reviewer for Best Sellers with a review included in Contemporary Literary Criticism, Vol. 30, as well asa Contributing Writer and Editor of Notable Women of Southwest Virginia, 1850 – 1950 published by the Historical Society of Western Virginia, 2007. She authored an essay for National Public Radio in 2009, teaches high school Latin, and is a regularly published freelance writer in Virginia.

Mary Tousman Open House

Mary Tousman, a member of the Roanoke Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women, will hold an open house to showcase her art at WVTF radio station on Friday, June 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The show is called called Feeling Fired: Masks. Oils, and Watercolors.

The event will be catered by Center Stage Catering and The Blue Ridge String Quartet will perform. The art will be on display from June 1st to June 30

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.

Member Reading

Roanoke Pen Women member Judy Light Ayyildiz on March 31, 2010 will be conducting a memoir workshop for Women's History Month at Radford University. She will read from her works of memoir in the Muse Student Center from 4:00 - 5:00. Reception to follow. Free. All welcome.