Washington, D.C. women decided to organize the group “for bringing together women journalists, authors, and illustrators for mutual benefits and the strength that comes of union". First named as the League of American Pen Women , the word “national” was added in 1926.
The leaders of this group included noted newspaper woman, press, telegraph and social correspondents. These women met to develop detailed plans for creating such an organization.
Under their leadership, a group of seventeen women met on June 26, 1897, at the home of novelist Mary A. Denison at 1403 Rhode Island to organize and promote “our concentrated action on such matters as the libel law, better copyright laws, plagiarism, and for inspiration and mutual aid.”
The three women started this history not far from the present headquarters, the Pen Arts Building. Within a year the group grew to 50 and applied for incorporation in 1898. They were not daunted by handicaps, although women would not be allowed to vote in national elections for another 23 years.
At the suggestion of Marian Longfellow the women choose as their motto, “All for one-one for all,” a quote from The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. It remains our motto today.
HOLLY BRANCH History
In March of 1972 a small group of writers and artists initiated the Holly Branch: Eugenia Gray, Isabel Kast, Barbara Miller, Elaine Mitchell, Harriet Myer and Ann Sparklin.
During the 1970's other artists became ,embers such as Coreyelle Ayers, Alice Purvis, Delores Sapienza, Helen Duff-Thompson, Martha Smith and Kitty Hammond. Since that time the Holly Branch has continued on as a group of professional female artists in Kent and Sussex Counties Delaware dedicated to bringing art related opportunities and events to members, invited guests and the community.