New London Nugen Library introduces Ann Hanigan Kotz

A marvelous program was held at the Nugen Public Library. Brittney and Taelor invited author Ann Hanigan Kotz to present her program “Iowa’s Suffrage and World War I.” Ann has written 4 novels using her family history to

Ann Hanigan Kotz was raised on a farm outside Denison, Iowa. She attended UNI and began teaching English in 1988. She taught for 33 years. As teaching grew to be more difficult, she decided to try something new. In the winter of 2021, she began her first book The Longest Journey. There was no thought in her mind about what she should do with this first effort. Friends finally talked her into printing 100 books. She did not believe that she would sell any but after selling 400 on her own, she began to believe in herself as an author. After signing with BookPress Publishing, The Longest Journey become The Journey of Caroline Olsen.

Ann loves her new career as she writes more books, visits libraries and pursues history across Iowa by stopping in at local historical societies. In “retirement” she and her husband ride motorcycles take their boat out on the lake. She is back Waukee Schools as a supervisor for Para-to-Teacher program. As is true with all teachers, she misses most the connection to students.

As described in the HJ Nugen Library flyer, Ann began her program with the history of Iowa’s Suffrage movement including both support and opposition to women getting the vote. The next section of her program transitioned to WWI with particular emphasis on the overall impact on Iowans. Many prominent Iowa people were introduced and recalled. It is amazing how little Iowa history is taught in schools or even known outside little niches in Historical Society archives. Her diligent research is included in her novels tying her family to the events of the time in which they lived.

One of the most interesting parts of her presentation occurred when she discussed “Free Love”. Free love was a subject of much discussion during the suffrage movement. That may not sound amazing but it brought forward how the meaning of words change throughout time. Ann said “When I ran across these words, it seemed things were a bit more racy during those times than I thought .” Her research soon uncovered that “Free Love” during that era meant divorce. In addition to not being allowed to vote, women were basically property. Only husbands had the right to divorce.

To date, she has published four books: The Journey of Caroline Olsen, Sons and Daughters, Moonshine by Moonlight, and Wayward Son. A treat is in store for you in each one. As she uses memories from her ancestors to study history, it makes one think about recording one’s own family history as week as events in one’s own everyday life.

Next on Virginia’s list is Ann Hanigan Kotz’s website to read her blogs and try a reading guide for one of her books. It looks like a fine winter is in store.

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