National League of American Pen Women

National League of American Pen Women

Spring River Branch

 

Grants

 

 

Text Box: Mature Woman's Grant Members of the Spring River Branch at Cherokee Village, Arkansas have discovered a need in their area. A number of talented women live there and in surrounding counties. These women have the incentive and have already begun developing those talents, but they need financial assistance in order to continue. In the Spring of 2005, the branch provided a mature woman's grant of $500.00 to one such deserving woman. Information was distributed in an 18 county area of Northeast Arkansas. Writers, artists, and musicians were encouraged to apply. A committee looked at the applications and chose three finalists, one from each of the three arts (music, art, writing). Narrowing the applicants to one presented a challenge. The mature woman's grant will become an annual event. Already donations are coming in to help with this endeavor. Applications are now being accepted for the year 2006 anyone wanting information regarding their qualifications and the rules, please contact Pat Oplinger at oplinger@centurytel.net   Grant finalists for 2005 The National League of American PEN Women, Spring River Branch, is proud to share the accomplishments of the three winners of the Mature Women Grant competition:  Elizabeth Reed in music, Dana Eppes in letters, and Jami Pierson in art.   $500.00 Grant recipient for 2005 Elizabeth Reed, who resides in Mammoth Spring,  AR, began her study in music at an early age.  She is currently continuing her studies in voice.  Elizabeth is a stay-at-home mom, home schooling her six children.  In the past she has worked at the Bonanza in Hardy and the shirt factory.    She shares her music with various churches in her area.  She performed for the George D. Hay Association in Mammoth Spring.  Elizabeth won the talent show at the Old Soldiers Reunion with a song she wrote herself. The recipient  Elizabeth Reed of Mammoth Spring, a small town nestled in the Ozark Mountains. She is a musician who writes lyrics, composes the music and sings her songs. She is the wife of a carpenter and a mother of six children, whom she home schools. She is using the grant money for piano and voice lessons. Her songs have a Christian theme, and she regards this as an opportunity to minister and witness. Elizabeth received the award at the May meeting 2005 where she played and sang a number of her songs. She said, "I feel like this grant will open doors for what God has called me to do." She, as well as her children,  performed in the Christmas program for the Spring River Branch.