This is your last chance to give to PEN America in 2020

Dear Friend,

This year, rather than shutting off the lights and locking the door at our office to mark the year's end, I’m powering down my laptop and getting ready to watch the ball drop over a battered, darkened New York City.

And as we turn the page on this year and look ahead to the next, I’m asking you one more time for your support.

SUPPORT PEN AMERICA BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR

You joined us to pay tribute to Darnella Frazier, Barack Obama, and Marie Yovanovitch at our virtual gala. You downloaded our World Voices Festival podcasts, and tuned in on Fridays for my “Tough Questions” conversations about free speech. You signed petitions to free dissident writers in Belarus and Iran and Hong Kong. You joined John Lithgow and Anita Hill and Alan Cumming in calling on all Americans to spot, check, and stop disinformation.

There’s still so much work to do. Our information ecosystems are in need of repair. Online platforms are still a wild west of hate and distortion. The powerful still seek to silence dissenters.

So please, as we draw together at year’s end, make the most generous gift you can. Next year will be a test of whether we can remake our country, our society. We’re up for the challenge.

Happy new year from all of us at PEN America.

Suzanne Nossel
CEO, PEN America

Dear Friend,

“Use the difficulty; make it your own.”

A beloved college mentor used to repeat this, like a mantra, and though the idea is simple, it took me some time to understand just how useful difficulty could be. She was right: Our toughest moments, our most challenging times, shape our power.

This year has been such a crucible. It’s made us committed to shape a better world. Your support has made that possible. And I’m asking you one more time this year to support PEN America.

Why? As PEN America’s newly-named president, I’ve watched our organization come up against challenge after challenge, only to emerge with new resolve. That is thanks to you.

When protesters were getting attacked in the streets, PEN America rallied for reform. When writers struggled, PEN America’s supporters raised money to support them. When disinformation threatened to derail democracy, PEN America deployed writers and experts to defend truth and shield the public from poisonous lies. You made all of this possible.

So, as you settle down for a muted celebration of the new year, please give what you can. Support the freedom to write and help us transform the trials of 2020 into the victories of 2021.

All the best,

Ayad Akhtar
President, PEN America

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