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Narges Mohammadi: The Iranian Writer Speaking Out From Behind Bars

InterviewMay 15, 2023

By Rachel Powers From a prison on the outskirts of Tehran, Narges Mohammadi interviewed fellow prisoners about the abusive treatment and inhumane conditions they have endured and shared letters to… More

Oklahoma teacher is still fighting book bans, now from Brooklyn

Advocacy

Summer Boismier lost her job after she gave students a QR code to the Brooklyn Public Library’s Books Unbanned project. Now she’s helping teens fight book bans. More

featured image for Vladyslav Yesypenko

2022 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award Honoree: Vladyslav Yesypenko

Profile

Vladyslav Yesypenko is PEN America's 2022 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Honoree for the 2022 Literary Awards. More

Gail Newel and Mimi Hall headshots

2021 PEN/Benenson Courage Award: Gail Newel and Mimi Hall

ProfileSeptember 22, 2021

PEN America bestows its 2021 PEN/Benenson Courage Award on Gail Newel and Mimi Hall. More

“2020 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award” on top; below, headshots and names of Keyvan Bajan, Baktash Abtin, and Reza Khandan Mahabadi

2021 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award: Baktash Abtin, Keyvan Bajan, and Reza Khandan Mahabadi

ProfileSeptember 16, 2021

PEN America bestows its 2021 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award on Iranian writers Baktash Abtin, Keyvan Bajan, and Reza Khandan Mahabadi. More

Text on a black background that reads: “Tom Blackburn, 1934–2021”

Journalism and COVID-19: Remembering Tom Blackburn

Profile

“He was beloved among the staff because he was a marshmallow. He was a brilliant man. For all his brilliance, he could crack you up.” More

Eric Spinato’s headshot on left; on right: “Eric Spinato, 1968–2021”

Journalism and COVID-19: Remembering Eric Spinato

Profile

“Filled with boundless energy, Eric made us laugh, never stopped, and was always creatively thinking of the next big and bold ideas. He was loyal and selfless.” More

David Castellon’s headshot on left; on right: “David Castellon, 1965–2020”

Journalism and COVID-19: Remembering David Castellon

Profile

“He was one of the most dogged reporters I ever worked with. You don’t find many reporters like him anymore.” More

David Ibata’s headshot on left; on right: “David Ibata”

Journalism and COVID-19: Remembering David Ibata

Profile

“A calmer, kinder man never walked the earth (let alone a newsroom).” More

Sekou Smith’s headshot on left; on right: “Sekou Smith, 1972–2021”

Journalism and COVID-19: Remembering Sekou Smith

Profile

“May we all be as kind, as talented, as hardworking, as in love with the game [of basketball] and the craft as much as Sekou Smith.” More

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