On September 16, 2023 I will be at the Woodland Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa and delivering information about the Ankeny family at the Living History event. I will profile only seven Ankeny members, interred in Woodland Cemetery. I am determined to tell their story. As a presenter, I will wear 1890 era clothing and be stationed at the burial site of the Ankeny family members. My DAR colleagues will assist me. John Fletcher Ankeny will also "be there".
On October 9, 2023 I will be giving a presentation about the Ankeny Family to the Ankeny Women's Club at the Ankeny Kirkendall Library. I can't wait to share Ankeny family stories with interested Ankeny, Iowa citizens!
Presentation - Mary Bonnet Ankeny Hunter -- an Iowa Suffragist Ankeny Area Historical Society Museum
On March 20, 2022 I shared the story of Mary Bonnet Ankeny Hunter, a dedicated documenter and historian of the Iowa Suffrage movement. It was a receptive crowd at the Ankeny Area Historical Society Museum. I shared with them the book I wrote and published about Hunter and the extensive appendix that includes the letters shared between Hunter and her friend, Carrie Chapman Catt. The book "Mary Bonnet Ankeny Hunter -- the Life and Contributions of an Iowa Suffragist" is on sale on Amazon. I also shared with them the children's book I wrote and Nathan illustrated titled "Harriet Wants To Vote". A reporter from Channel 5 News (ABC) interviewed me and the interview aired on TV that evening.
Ankeny Family Talk in Centerville, Iowa
I totally enjoyed sharing insights about the remarkable Ankeny family women and specifically about Mary Bonnet Ankeny Hunter -- an important Iowa suffragist -- to the "Striving for Justice" Club in Centerville, Iowa on November 20. What a great group of women dedicated to education.
Karla at DAR Meeting
Totally enjoyed being hosted by the DAR Chapter of Ames, Iowa on November 4th. I shared my journey of finding genealogy information about the Ankeny family, researching the archives of the Iowa Historical Museum to find their family bibles, portraits and hand-written letters, imagining their lives -- heartaches and triumphs -- and writing my historical fiction book "Iowa's Devoted Daughter". I emphasized the outstanding women of the family and especially paid tribute to one DAR member -- Mary Bonnet Ankeny Hunter -- an early and important Iowa suffragist. Since this is the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, Mary's amazing story must be told. I WILL tell her story. I wrote her biography and is available on Amazon "Mary Bonnet Ankeny Hunter -- the Life and Contributions of an Iowa Suffragist".
MEDAL OF HONOR
The Iowa State Society of the Daughters of the American Colonists presented their Medal of Honor certificate and medal to me at their September 27th meeting. The Medal can be awarded to someone in the community for meritorious service in historical, patriot or educational endeavors. I felt very honored and appreciated so much their recognition of my research and writing about the Ankeny family. My recent research and documentation about the "lost" Enterprise Cemetery near Ankeny, Iowa and about the life and contributions of a forgotten Iowa suffragist - Mary Bonnet Ankeny Hunter - are capstones in my ongoing curiosity and admiration for our ancestors. We stand of their shoulders. For more information about DAC, please visit www.nsdac.org
On August 23, 2019 a group of DAR members assembled at the State of Iowa Capitol and saw the Iowa Suffrage Memorial. The memorial has a special place in my heart because Mary Bonnet Ankeny Hunter (daughter of Rollin Valentine Ankeny) was the leader in getting the funding, artist and ceremony organized. Mary Hunter with her friend, Carrie Chapman Catt, unveiled the artwork in 1936. Details about this memorial can be found in the book "Mary Bonnet Ankeny Hunter -- Remembering the Life and Contributions of an Iowa Suffragist" by Karla Wright and for sale on Amazon. It was a very special day to tell Mary's story and the story of the memorial to my DAR colleagues.
May 11, 2019! I presented at the Abigail Adams Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. I emphasized the many Ankeny women who were early DAR members within the Abigail Adams Chapter of Des Moines. Harriet Louise Ankeny was a delegate from the chapter to the DAR Continental Congress in Washington, D.C.! Mary Ankeny Hunter played a major role in the suffrage movement.
Returned to another Iowa Author Book Fair at the Ankeny, Iowa Kirkendall Library in April 13, 2019. A beautiful but chilly spring day brought many book and history lovers out. Talked about the Ankeny family to many current Ankeny residents! Loved it!
On Saturday, November 10, 2018, I was at the Waverly, Iowa Public Library and was part of a very large contingent of Iowa authors talking and hawking books! Had to be creative to get lookers attention. I used candy, posters, computer slide show and a friendly smile. I may have to set bear traps next time.
2018 September 15th was a full day of book selling, story telling and seeing old friends and making new friends! Beautiful venue at Capital Square in downtown Des Moines. Thank you Iowa Author Fest organizers for making this event happen each and every year. See you next year!
April 14, 2018 Participated in the annual Iowa Author Book Fair at Otter Creek Country Club from 9 to 12. Pouring down rain, snow, sleet, hail and snow thunder. But that did not keep me away from sharing the stories about the Ankeny family and showing a new supply of photos to history buffs.
April 7, 2018 I totally loved sharing my book writing experiences and Ankeny family history with my Jean Marie Cardinell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Along with the Ankeny family stories -- on this day I highlighted the MANY Ankeny women who were DAR members -- including Delegates to Continental Congress and Chapter Regents. I read three excerpts from Chapter 9 -- The Civil War Years -- that demonstrated the deep love and devotion within the Ankeny family.
March 22, 2018 Was invited to the Kirkendall Library to discuss my book "Iowa's Devoted Daughter" and to share the history of the Ankeny family to the Ankeny, Iowa community. It was a great evening, with an interested, attentive and large audience. Answered many questions and was especially happy to have my cousin, Jan, join me. Hope to repeat this "talk" soon to more history lovers and new lovers of "Iowa's Devoted Daughter".
Visited with history and genealogy lovers during our two day - four town whirlwind library book tour.
Have Books - Will Travel
November 2017
I teamed up with author Betty Brandt-Passick and presented our historical fiction books at libraries and venues in Iowa. We grew up in NE Iowa, moved to Minnesota, retired from busy careers, raised families, and now find ourselves writing historical fiction books.
I was at Plot Twist Bookstore in Ankeny, Iowa all afternoon from 1:00 to 4:00 signing books and jawing about the remarkable Ankeny family to anyone who would listen on a gorgeous fall afternoon.
On October 14, 2017 I participated in the Des Moines Historical Society local artists and history event at the Iowa Genealogical Society, 628 East Grand, Des Moines, which is just across the street from the Iowa Historical Museum. Interestingly enough, it was just down the street at 824 East Grand where John Fletcher and Sally Ankeny built their home. That home was then lived in by their daughters Florence Russell and also Mary Bird Israel. The Wallace Agriculture Building now sits where the Ankeny family once lived. It was raining and thundering outside but we had a great group inside, high and dry, and noisy too! Sold five books to interested Des Moines history buffs. Bought a cool T-shirt to support the Des Moines Historical Society.
Iowa Author Fest - September 23, 2017
I was at the Iowa Author Fest at Jasper Winery in Des Moines, Iowa, on September 23, 2017. Sparse crowd on a warm weekend. Although I did not sell any books myself, I did meet two Iowa authors who are now friends! Linda McCann and Jan Walters. Linda writes historical books for the publisher The Iowan Books. I purchased "Lost Blackhawk County" -- one of many books Linda has written. Jan writes historical fiction and her latest book is Red Sunset Drive: A Ghost and Cop Series.
Thank you Leo Landis, Curator, State of Iowa Archives and Historical Museum, for allowing us to borrow the shoes and parasol from the Iowa Museum Archives. They were used by the Ankeny women back in 1890! Very special!
Thank you Rosemary Taylor, Museum Director, for all you do for promoting Miss Harriet Louise Ankeny!!!
June 4, 2017
Presented at the Ankeny Area Historical Society museum. Met four wonderful ladies who are descendants of Henry Giese Ankeny. Had a great chat with them.
April 8, 2017
Ankeny Author Fair — Pinnacle Club — Otter Creek Golf Course — Ankeny, Iowa
February 27, 2017
Presented Ankeny family program — emphasizing the founders of Ankeny, Iowa to the Ankeny Genealogy Chapter at the Kirkendall Library in Ankeny, Iowa — it was a good night!
November 6, 2016 Presented information about the Ankeny family and their contributions to Ankeny and Des Moines, Iowa at the Ankeny Area Historical Society Museum in Ankeny, Iowa. Four descendants of John Fletcher Ankeny attended. It was a wonderful day!