Georgia Election Workers Remarks at the 2024 PEN America Literary Gala
“Everyone working on behalf of our democracy seems to be absorbing hate from those who can’t abide the will of the voters. But they will not win." More
Phạm Đoan Trang Acceptance Speech | 2024 Freedom to Write Award
“I don’t want freedom for just myself; that’s too easy, I want something greater: freedom for Vietnam.” More
Jenny Finney Boylan’s Remarks at the 2024 PEN America Literary Gala
"All I have, other than the ability to tell a joke, are the tools of love and forgiveness. But is that enough to heal the world?" More
Almar Latour’s Remarks at the 2024 PEN America Literary Gala
"Russia may be an ocean and a continent away; but the distance between authoritarianism and a free society is measured by the strength of free speech." More
Ayad Akhtar’s Remarks at the 2022 PEN America Literary Gala
"Yes, speaking is at the root of it all, but we cannot only be speakers. We must be those listening, as well." More
2022 PEN America Literary Gala
Monday, May 23, 2022 American Museum of Natural History The Rose Center for Earth and Space, W81st St. (Gala Entrance) 6 pm: VIP Reception | 6:30pm: Cocktail Reception | 7:30pm: Dinner &… More
Ayad Akhtar’s Remarks at the 2021 PEN America Literary Gala
“Reading, of course, is an individual act, but a culture that fosters reading and one that supports writers, invariably compels us to presence, to protest, to celebration.” More
2021 PEN America Corporate Honoree: Robert A. Iger
Robert A. Iger, executive chairman, chairman of the board of directors, and former CEO of The Walt Disney Company, is the 2021 PEN America Corporate Honoree. More
2021 PEN/Audible Literary Service Award: Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Henry Louis Gates Jr., the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center at Harvard University, is the 2021 PEN/Audible Literary Service Awardee. More
2020 PEN/Benenson Freedom of Expression Courage Award: Marie Yovanovitch
Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch is the 2020 PEN/Benenson Freedom of Expression Courage Award honoree. More