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's Janine DeBaise as Governance Chair.

Theme for the Biennial was "100 Reasons to Celebrate" and, indeed, it was a celebratory mood with excellent attendance from members around the country, incredible panel discussions and workshop offerings, with awards aplenty.

NOW C.E.O. Kim Villanueva gave the inspiring keynote address at the Vinnie Ream banquet on Friday evening. Atlanta Branch member Lori B. Duff entertained and enlightened Letters members with her Letters luncheon address, and Lyn Loewi gave an inspirational presentation at the Art awards luncheon.

Workshops by esteemed poets Megha Sood and Nancy Dafoe and outstanding musician Grace Reid were well attended and engendered new work. Artist Neha Dadhich, Ph.D., offered a workshop on creating mystical art, and Wilma Davidson, Ed.D., led a discussion on involving the community through art displays. A panel of Pen Women from around the country led a discussion on how the cross-genre competition led to exciting new work and friendships.

Janine DeBaise and Georgia Popoff arranged the sight-seeing Tour of Her Own Bus ride around Washington, D.C. for Pen Women. The Jacksonville Branch added to the celebratory mood by sponsoring coffee and tea in the boutique in honor of the 100th anniversary of their Branch.

Once again, the CNY Branch took home with them great memories of the event, new friendships, and a host of awards, Janine DeBaise winning 8 awards; Nancy Dafoe winning 7 awards; Stacey Murphy winning 2 awards; Mary Gardner and Railey Savage each winning an award. Priscilla Berggren-Thomas and Dafoe were each listed as Letters honorable mentions in the Vinnie Ream competition.