In 1957 Alice Adams, our "founding mother" and first President, together with four other talented women, formed a nucleus and obtained from Washington headquarters, the Charter for an NLAPW Fort Lauderdale Branch. Charter #216 was granted and the first meeting was held in July at the Adams' home. Officers were: Alice Adams, President; Georgiana Worthley, VP; Anne Wendt, Secretary; Helen Vieth, Treasurer; Bessie Additon, Corresponding Secretary.
Artists Marquerite Geyer, Ethel Canfield, Edith Davis, Mary Ventura; jewelry craftsman Leona Goldstine; writers Frances Guthrie and Alice Richards qualified and were accepted as members during the first year.
Monthly meetings were held in private homes until increased membership indicated a necessary change. At that time restaurants, hotels and private clubs eagerly sought our patronage for luncheons and meetings.
Growing financial obligations made it apparent that fund-raising projects must be pursued. Many were tried ( some still used) including white elephant, arts and crafts sales, Chinese and silent auctions, even a few raffles, book review luncheons, teas, breakfasts and coffees. Our most lucrative was the popular annual book reviews given so generously by Alice Henderson.
The events were held, to name a few, some no longer existent, in the Governor's Club Hotel, Yankee Clipper, Sheraton, Coral Ridge Country Club, Schrafts, Heilman's, Jarvis Hall and what now has been and seems to be our permanent meeting place, Anacapri Inn. The annual "Dollars for Scholars" Christmas party has been held at the homes of members and good friends.
Excerpts from Alice D. Richards, Historian NLAPW FT Lauderdale Branch April 13, 1986
Content copyright 2017. NLAPW Fort Lauderdale Branch. All rights reserved.
Leona (Mickey) Gore : A Tribute
by Lois Perdue, 1st Vice President
Fort Lauderdale Branch
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Who, among us, especially women artists wouldn’t like to leave a legacy for others following behind to treasure and emulate. Mickey Gore did all that and more in her 89 years here on earth. Ahead of her time, Mickey graduated Marymount College during the war years in 1943 after receiving a four-year scholarship. Her major was music. She married and continued studying music theory at the Conservatory of Music in South Bend, Indiana. Upon her husband’s return from overseas, they relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1950 where she began her journey as a leader, an educator, a concert artist, composer, pianist and a mother to four children. Then at the age of 53 she returned to Florida International University for another degree.
Although Mickey performed locally, statewide and nationally and earned accolades for her talent, she felt she wanted to give something back to the community she had grown to love. During these years Mickey became involved in many groups. One group brought Mickey great joy and that was becoming a member of the National League of American Pen Women’s Fort Lauderdale Branch. She would later serve as the Branch’s President from 1988-1990.
“So many of these women from earlier times paved the way for the rest of us to meet, participate and enjoy art,” said Marcia Hirschy, a noted Fort Lauderdale artist and member of the Fort Lauderdale Branch. “We owe them so much respect.”
Another member, artist Barbara Walker, recalls their families growing up together during the 1950s and has fond memories of Mickey. Years later Walker would become a member of Pen Women and work alongside Mickey in the organization.
“We also shared a fondness for writing Haiku,” said Walker. “Mickey privately published a book of her Haiku poems. She was an inspiration, a lovely bright spirit who was an advocate for Pen Women.”
Mickey Gore passed way in October 2015.