HONOLULU PEN WOMEN FEBRUARY 2013 MEETING

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF AMERICAN PEN WOMEN
HONOLULU BRANCH MEETING

Date: Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Location: Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room

(Macy’s at Ala Moana Shopping Center)

Featured speaker: Pat Clough

Topic: The Prison Writing Project

 Our Minister of Happiness disguised as Groucho Marx

Our Minister of New Beginnings (right) welcoming a new Friend

Norma introducing our speaker Pat Clough and her Prison Writing Project

NOTE FROM PAT CLOUGH 

In response to my inquiry about posting 
the photos of her students on my blog

"We do not allow photos by students at schools for fear of them winding up on Facebook or someone's webpage.  It's a matter of protecting the women's privacy in the future.  I do have written permission from each of them to be filmed, interviewed and photographed by the media as a way to promote our message. I see you (Honolulu Pen Women and Friends) as a safe advocate for us so I think using the photos is OK.  I appreciate that you asked and are sensitive to the use of the photos."

The photos below are for your private viewing only.

Do NOT post on, or forward to, any social media!

 

Pat Clough (back row on left) with Guard (front left) and five students

Pat Clough (middle) with retired Judge Radius and Guard

The Prison Writing Project began nine years ago as a small creative writing class at the Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua, Hawaii. Pat Clough, a new resident of O`ahu and former teacher was looking for a small group interested in using writing as a tool for self-discovery. Publishing a book was always in the back of her mind, a book of writings from prison that would encourage the students to become the authors of their own stories. Eight books have been published to date. The title of the series is Hulihia, a Hawaiian word that means “to transform.” Pat has been holding classes twice a week for both beginning writers and advanced students since 2003. Using literature, poetry, biography, film, and music, the students learn to write about themes in their own lives addressing their fears, longings, anger and shame discovering who they really are and the healing power of their own words.

In 2008, the creative writing classes hosted its first book dedication in the prison facility courtyard. Governor Linda Lingle was present and celebrated with the women writers who read their best work. She then challenged them to keep writing, keep learning, to become role models for their children. A board member from LaPietra School for Girls was in the audience that day and offered the writing program the next step in its development. Eight inmates from the creative writing class gave a dramatic presentation of their writings at a La Pietra school assembly. Acclaimed by TV and print media at the debut event, one reporter suggested that all Oahu`’s high schools should see the production. “Prison Monologues” was born.

Chosen by their teacher for a place in the monologues cast, each inmate must meet rigorous criteria. They must do well in the creative writing class, maintain good behavior in the facility, work hard on their presentation skills, and earn the status that allows them to leave the prison for performances. The group of five inmates changes as women are released to furlough programs and students from the writing classes are selected. Nearing the end of 2012, “Prison Monologues” has presented 30 programs at high schools and universities, and more recently at conferences on O`ahu for youth services, parole officers, probation officers, mental health case workers, a coalition against domestic violence, and `Aha Wahine— a gathering of Native Hawaiian Women. Next destination— youth groups on Maui.

THE PRISON MONOLOGUES 

Performing a skit about the arrival of a new inmate

Time for Q/A

NOTE FROM PAT:

Thank you Ladies for an outstanding day.   

We chattered like mina birds all the way back to WCCC. 

Each of us felt honored and deeply respected.   

Thank you.

   

PRAISE FOR PAT CLOUGH AND THE PRISON WRITING PROJECT:

Pat: What a wonderful thing happened at the Pineapple Room yesterday!  The whole room and all the people in it were inspired by truth told by women who have faced themselves and could "tell it like it is." The opening video was powerful, let us see what it must feel like to be "incarcerated." That is a great addition to the program.  Thank you so much for bringing the women to us and going through the process of putting on a show.  It takes a lot of effort, I'm sure.  We'll never forget you or them.

Pat, thank you so much for a deeply touching presentation that will stay with us forever!

You have no idea how well you have blessed us.  We fell in love with you and your students and wished we could adopt all of them.

What a powerful program that was yesterday.  It would be interesting to follow those women as they progress through the system.  Unfortunately they still have a tough road ahead.  Good job!!
 
Fabulous meeting - what amazing women, too bad we can't adopt them all, they fit right in!! 

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