Adel author Ann Hanigan Kotz will present a program entitled, “Beyond the Parlor Walls: Iowa Women Who Shaped their Communities,” at the Woodard Public Library on Friday, Oct. 16 at 1:30 p.m.
This 45-minute program will explore the women who championed education, built public libraries, improved civic life and transformed their towns. From club meetings held in parlors to statewide movements for progress, these women demonstrated the power of cooperation and the belief that every community could be made stronger.
These Iowa women were not governors, lawmakers or business leaders, but they changed their communities in powerful ways. Through women’s clubs, educational organizations and reform movements, they worked behind the scenes to solve problems, expand opportunities and create institutions that continue to serve Iowans today.
Their stories reveal a forgotten chapter of Iowa history: how determined women, often without formal power, helped build the foundation of the communities we know today.
Hanigan Kotz’ program is free and open to the public. The retired high school teacher turned author has published several books, including “The Journal of Karoline Olsen,” “Sons and Daughters,” “Wayward Son” and “Moonshine by Moonlight.” All are historical fictions based on real events and much research and will be available for purchase.
This is the second program is the series of history programs the library is offering this fall.