*JUST ANNOUNCED: President Barack Obama to receive PEN America Voice of Influence Award, discuss new book and free expression with historian and former PEN America president Ron Chernow as part of the Dec. 8 ceremony!*

The PEN America Gala will merge our annual New York Literary Gala and Los Angeles LitFest Gala into one national, virtual celebration on December 8. Our digital program will be a crucial moment for our community to stand together in recognition of our deserving Honorees and to fortify our mission at a time of extraordinary needs and demands. The fight for creative expression is so important, now more than ever, and we hope you can join us for a unique, one-night-only event to toast to human rights and the power of words.

Honorees include former ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch; Darnella Frazier, the young woman who filmed George Floyd's murder; Hearst's Frank Bennack Jr.; and Chinese dissident writer Xu Zhiyong. Presenters and featured guests include Joan Baez, Bono, Spike Lee, Soledad O'Brien, Madeleine Albright, Steve Swartz, Ron Chernow, Cory Booker, Gabrielle Union, and more.

While this event is free of charge, please consider making a donation to PEN America today. Your contribution helps us defend the freedom to write.