History Fort Lauderdale presents “Visions of Women,” its first ever fine art exhibition from the National League of American Pen Women Fort Lauderdale Branch (NLAPW). This new exhibition will feature art from NLAPW award-winning artists/members Claudia Hafner, Judy Nunno, Phoenix, Donna Sallee, and Tammy Seymour from April 4 – 30.

“Visions of Women” will feature a collection of artworks joined by the theme of “empowering women” and the subjects and causes that inspire them to motivate others. According to Phoenix, president of NLAPW, the conceptual basis for this exhibition was the 100th anniversary of the formal adoption of the 19th Amendment into the U.S. Constitution. This landmark victory granted women the constitutional right to vote. For Pen Women this has extra significance. Its organization was founded in 1897 by Marian Longfellow Donoghue (niece of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) to empower professional women journalists who were discriminated against and excluded by major publications. The original intent of Pen Women founders to find “mutual aid, advice, future development” for professional women artists still resonates.

History Fort Lauderdale, proud steward of our community’s past by making our heritage accessible and engaging to residents and visitors, hosts a variety of engaging multicultural experiences, year-round. It seeks to bring awareness to the community through both traveling exhibits and multiple permanent exhibits including “Women Trailblazers,” “Fort Lauderdale – the Early Years,” “The African American Experience,” “Fashion & Musical Theatre,” “From Dugouts to Dream Yachts: the story of boatbuilding along the New River,” Seminole Arts & Culture,” “New River Archaeology,”  “Viva Fort Lauderdale: Celebrating Hispanic Art & Culture,” and,  “Take PRIDE, a retrospective on LGBTQ life in South Florida.” The nonprofit museum also hosts an artists’ collective collaborative space.

“Visions of Women” is sponsored by the following funds at the Community Foundation of Broward: Jan and Ed Crocker Unrestricted Fund, Leo M. and Alice J. Rutten Fund and The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Broward Community Fund. Additional funding is provided, in part, by Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward County Cultural Council, and Visit Lauderdale. This organization is also sponsored by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts & Culture.

History Fort Lauderdale is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. with docent guided tours, daily, at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Group walking tours are available upon special request. Admission is $15 for adults; $12 for seniors and $7 for students (through age 22 with a valid student ID). Admission is free for members, military and children ages six and under. Tickets are available online at HistoryFortLauderdaleTickets.

For more information about History Fort Lauderdale, please call (954) 463-4431 or visit us online at historyfortlauderdale.org. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ftlhistory, on Instagram @ftlhistory and on Twitter @FTLHistory. Subscribe to us on YouTube at youtube.com/user/FTLhistory.