Sarasota Pen Women

10/05/2026

05/14/2026

This spring, the Sarasota Branch of the National League of American Pen Women proudly hosted the 39th Annual Launching Leaders in the Arts Awards Luncheon at the TPC Prestancia Country Club.

Eleven outstanding high school seniors were recognized for their exceptional talents in visual art, music, and letters, joined by Pen Women members, teachers, family, and friends in a celebration of creativity and achievement.

It was a truly meaningful day to honor young creatives from Sarasota and Manatee counties and to reflect on the power of the arts in shaping future leaders.

A big thank you to our incredible sponsors, members, and donors who make this program possible year after year. Your support helps fuel young artists' dreams!

Special thanks to:
❤️ The Otto Group at Hightower Advisors
❤️ Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation
❤️ SRQ Pen Women Members
❤️ Family of Halide Smith
❤️ Gecko's Grill & Pub
❤️ Morton's Gourmet Market
❤️ Publix
❤️ The Toasted Mango Cafe
❤️ Venice Performing Arts Center
❤️ ...and so many more!

To see more photos, visit www.sarasotapenwomen.org/2026-launching-leaders-winners.

Thank you to our amazing photographer and member, Jojo Fusco, for photographing this Luncheon and many others!

04/16/2026

There's still time! ⏰ The 2026 Giving Challenge ends in THREE hours!

Your donation can make twice the impact in supporting young artists, writers, and musicians in our community. Through our Launching Leaders in the Arts program, your gift helps award talented, college-bound seniors as they take the next step in their creative journeys. 🎨📚🎶

💥 Donations from $25–$100 are matched by The Patterson Foundation
🗓️ Now through April 16 at noon
🔗 Give here: www.givingchallenge.org/organizations/sarasota-nlapw

Be the reason a student keeps creating.

Community Foundation of Sarasota County

04/15/2026

It’s GO time! ⏰ The 2026 Giving Challenge is officially live!

For the next 24 hours, your donation can make twice the impact in supporting young artists, writers, and musicians in our community. Through our Launching Leaders in the Arts program, your gift helps award talented, college-bound seniors as they take the next step in their creative journeys. 🎨📚🎶

💥 Donations from $25–$100 are matched by The Patterson Foundation
🗓️ Now through April 16 at noon
🔗 Give here: https://www.givingchallenge.org/organizations/sarasota-nlapw

Be the reason a student keeps creating.

Community Foundation of Sarasota County

04/14/2026

TOMORROW is your chance to empower the next generation of artists! ✨

During the 2026 Giving Challenge, your gift fuels our Launching Leaders in the Arts program, which awards college-bound seniors in Sarasota and Manatee counties to help them continue their journey in art, writing, and music. 🎨📚🎶

🗓️ April 15 at noon – April 16 at noon
🔗 Donate here: https://www.givingchallenge.org/organizations/sarasota-nlapw

Thanks to The Patterson Foundation, donations from $25–$100 will be MATCHED, doubling your impact.

Be the reason a young artist, writer, or musician keeps creating.

Community Foundation of Sarasota County

04/10/2026

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County Giving Challenge is back! ⏰ Just 24 hours to double your impact.

🗓️ April 15 at noon – April 16 at noon
🔗 Donate with this link: https://www.givingchallenge.org/organizations/sarasota-nlapw

Your gift helps fund our Launching Leaders in the Arts program, which supports talented, college-bound high school seniors in Sarasota and Manatee counties pursuing art, writing, and music. Through this annual competition, students receive awards ranging from $250–$2,000 to help them take the next step in their creative journeys. 🎨📚🎶

Thanks to The Patterson Foundation, donations from $25–$100 will be matched, doubling the difference you can make.

Be the reason a young artist, writer, or musician keeps creating.

To learn more about the Sarasota Branch of the National League of American Pen Women, visit www.sarasotapenwomen.org.

04/17/2025

This spring, the Sarasota Branch of the National League of American Pen Women proudly hosted the 38th Annual Launching Leaders in the Arts Awards Luncheon at the beautiful TPC Prestancia Country Club.

Thirteen outstanding high school seniors were recognized for their exceptional talents in visual art, music, and letters, joined by Pen Women members, teachers, family, and friends in a celebration of creativity and achievement. Art winners showcased their pieces in an inspiring gallery display, music winners performed their original compositions, and letters winners captivated the audience by reading their winning work aloud.

It was a truly meaningful day to honor young creatives from Sarasota and Manatee counties and to reflect on the power of the arts in shaping future leaders.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible sponsors, members, and donors who make this program possible year after year. Your support helps fuel young artists' dreams!

Special thanks to:
❤️ The Otto Group at Hightower Advisors
❤️ Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation
❤️ Linda Garden
❤️ Family of Halide Smith
❤️ Detwiler's Farm Market
❤️ Diamond Bay Jewelers
❤️ Sarasota Polo Club
❤️ Selby Gardens - Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
❤️ Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
❤️ ...and so many more!

Here’s to another unforgettable year—and we’re already looking forward to the next!

To see more photos, visit www.sarasotapenwomen.org/2025-launching-leaders-winners (link in bio). A huge thank you to Longboat Key Your Observer journalist Dana Kampa for the amazing article and photos. www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/apr/14/pen-women (link in bio)

04/16/2025

🎉 We’re Proud to Be Part of RemakeLearningDays 2025!
The Sarasota Branch of the National League of American Pen Women is thrilled to join this nationwide celebration of hands-on, innovative learning for youth and families.

📚 What’s Remake Learning Days?
It’s a national festival where kids, parents, and caregivers explore future-ready skills through FREE and low-cost events. From arts and storytelling to science and tech, it’s all about learning by doing—and having fun along the way!

✨ Our Contribution:
Our very own branch president, Wilma Davidson, Ed.D., is leading a featured free workshop:
Quick Start Your College Application Essay
📅 April 19 | 🕚 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
📍 LaunchPad4U, Sarasota
Rising seniors: beat writer’s block, craft an original story, and leave with a solid draft!
Parents: learn how to support without hovering.

🔗 RSVP now: https://remakelearningdays.org/event/suncoast/quick-start-your-college-application-essay/
🔍 Explore more Suncoast events: https://remakelearningdays.org/events/?fwp_proximity=27.336465%2C-82.5310117%2C10%2CSarasota%252C%2520FL%252C%2520USA

Let’s make learning unforgettable—together!