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National League of American Pen Women, Fargo Branch Photographs

 Collection
Identifier: Photo 509

Scope and Contents

This collection contains 12 photographs that were removed from MSS 180. These includes photographs of local members, national convention photographs, art work, and events.

Dates

  • Majority of material found within 1938-1960

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection is held by the NDSU Archives

Biography

The National League of American Pen Women was formed on June 26, 1897, in Washington, D.C., by Marian Longfellow O'Donaghue, niece of the poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; Margaret Sullivan Burke, the first woman admitted in the capital press gallery; and Anna Sanborn Hamilton, social editor of the Washington Post. The Fargo Branch of the National League of American Pen Women was formed in 1938 with the writing of the bylaws for the Fargo Branch. The formal organizing of the branch did not occur, however, until February 14, 1942.



The Fargo Branch of the NLAPW was in existence from 1938 until the 1960s. The main goals and objectives of the Branch were, "mutual benefit in creative work of women of pen, pencil, and brush; stimulation of literary and artistic production; promotion of acquaintance and good fellowship among members; and an active interest in such projects as are for the best literary and artistic interest of the State of North Dakota."



Membership in the League was open to any woman who was an artist, author, or composer. Women would receive active membership after being sponsored by a member in good standing of the branch, and after providing "proof of sale" for a piece of their work. Associate members went through the same procedure as active members, but did not have to provide "proof of sale."



During the existence of the Fargo Branch, some members had their work recognized by state and national agencies. Prudence Geary Sand, onetime president of the Fargo Branch, along with Richard Lyons, published a book entitled Stackers of Wheat in 1951. She is also recognized in the 1955 edition of Who's Who for North Dakota as one of the founders of North Dakota Poetry Day, which began in 1950. Another member of the Branch, Stella Halsten Hohncke, published a book of poems in 1952 entitled We Humbly Pray, which included poems from other members of the Fargo Branch. Her poem "We Humbly Pray," was recognized and read on the floor of the United States Senate on Wednesday, April 15, 1953, by Senator Langer of North Dakota. (Small Collection 570). The Fargo Branch appears to have become inactive sometime during the 1960s.

Extent

12 Items (Twelve photographic prints.)

Language of Materials

English

Overview

This collection contains 12 photographs that were removed from MSS 180. These includes photographs of local members, national convention photographs, art work, and events.

Provenance

Donated by Cynthia Selland, 1994 (Acc. 2364).

Property Rights

The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
Title
Finding Aid to the National League of American Pen Women, Fargo Branch Photographs
Description rules
Appm
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository

Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States