Evening star., 1946-05-12
Biennial Convention

One Of the most brilliant of thi
years postwar functions was the
Authors breakfast given by the
National League of American Pen
Women yesterday at the Willard
Hotel.
The affair, the first of it's kind
in six years, served as the opening
of the leagues biennial convention
which will continue through Friday
with sessions at the Willard and a
variety of interesting luncheon and
dinner programs each day of the
convention.
Approximately so persons were
seated at the head table with honor
guests including many distinguished
members of the diplomatic corps and
outstanding author members of the
league.
The function was opened by a
signal from two attractive young
heralds, with golden trumpets, Miss
Barbara Kingsbury and Miss Polly
Byrd. They led the procession, in
cluding color bearers and large
stuffed owl, up and Up the Off
cial mascot of the National League
of American Pen Women, borne by
two pages, Gwendolyn Parker and
Elizabeth Tilton into the large ball
room where the breakfast was held.
Massing of Colors.
After massing the colors, sent by
Governors of the different States
included in the national league
behind the speakers table, the
guests and members took their seats
at the head table and at smaller
tables placed throughout the room.
Every State branch had given spe-
cial effort to the decorations of its
table with flowers and ornaments
characteristic of the State used in
the decorations.
The affair served as medium
for a dramatic presentation of some
of the successful publications of
the Pen Women authors with char
acters from their books brought
to life in a colorful pageant accom-
panied by a running narrative.
The pageant, entitled Parade of
Fiction Heroines," was presented
during the luncheon and proved
one of the most successful enter
tainments ever given by the Gre
ative and original members of the
league.
One by one, attractively costumed
heroines stepped from out the pages
of the authors books and passed in
review
First to appear was Heroine
"Sally Stuart from the novel,
"Who Killed Aunt Maggie" by
League Author Medora Field Per-
kerson and impersonated by Edythe
Minor.
Following Sally Stuart" came
Marie de Gonzagu," from the story,
Soul of a Queen by Tryphosa
Bates -Batcheller, with Anne Rams
dell Harman impersonating the
queen.
A stir of enthusiasm passed over
the audience at the entrance Of the
third heroine, from Trooper, United
States Army Dog" by Helen Orr
Watson, when Trooper herself, ca
nine pet of the author, appeared.
with Caroline Weant speaking the
lines
"Sacagawea,' the Indian heroine
who participated in the Lewis and
Clark expedition of over 100 years
ago and was fctionized by league
member, nationally famous Author
Ethel Hueston in Star of the West, -
followed, impersonated by Mary
Louise Hurley, supported by Louise
Winslow
Anya Seton's work, The Tur-
quoise," was next represented, with
the part of it's heroine, "Sante Fe
Cameron" played by Hilda Kohn.
This Side of Innocence" by Tay-
lor Caldwell, gave the next heroine,
"Amalie Lindsay" impersonated by
Georgette Windsor. For this book
Miss Caldwell WIS awarded first
prize for the best published novel of
1856 made annually by the League
of American Pen Women to the
most successful writer of the year.
Blanche Smith Ferguson, national
president of the league, is the
author of the story, "Boxwood,' u
whose heroine, Judith Goodloe, y
assumed life in the person Of Anne
Harmon, previously appearing as
Marie de Gonzagu.
The pageant concluded with a
skit from The Yellow Witch" by
Clyde Robertson, with Pony Nelson,
the picturesque heroine, imperson-
ated by Mary Jane Swami.
The parade of heroines was di-
rected by Florence Lloyd Holman,
assisted by Mrs. David K. Miller
The theme was narrated by Hester
Beall Provenson and the colorful
costumes were designed by Paul
Edel of Baltimore.
Prizes Distributed.
Over $1,000 in prizes were dis
tributed to winners of the different
league contests, with announce
ments of winners made by Marel
Brown, chairman of the National
Contests Committee.
The 1rst-prize- winning song, by
Grace Bush of the Los Angeles
branch, was sung during the pro-
gram by Lillian Maran Halbert, So
prano, with Katherine E. Lucke at
the piano.
The famous nellie Richmond Eb-