Produced in association with the National Willa Cather Center, the Ames Writers Collective and the Ames Public Library will host a sesquicentennial celebration of Willa Cather, one of the most significant and treasured American writers of the 20th century. Cather crystallized the spirit of the American West with a singular voice in her body of poems, essays, short stories, and the critically acclaimed novels One of Ours, O Pioneers!, The Song of the Lark, and My Ántonia.
Featuring Rachel Olsen, Director of Education & Engagement at the National Willa Cather Center, Olsen will discuss the importance of Cather’s work in today’s world. Additionally, Olsen and Ana McCracken, founder of the Ames Writers Collective, will read excerpts from Cather’s books and short stories to reacquaint Cather enthusiasts and introduce new readers to Cather’s body of work.
Birthday goodies will be served as well as a book drawing. Willa Cather’s 150th birthday was celebrated on December 7th, 2023.
For more information about the National Willa Cather Center located in Red Cloud, NE, visit their website here.
About Rachel Olsen, Director of Education & Engagement
Rachel Olsen joined the Willa Cather Foundation as a tour guide in October 2017 and has since worked in a variety of educational roles before becoming the Director of Education and Engagement in 2022. A former college English teacher, she enjoys developing activities and content designed to preserve Cather’s rich literary history.
In addition to supervising a team of programming and visitor services staff, Rachel organizes the Teacher Institute and Author Series programs, oversees Opera House seasons of events, plans conferences and seminars, and fosters relationships with educators from area schools, colleges, and universities. Rachel has a Master’s degree in English from Kansas State University with a certificate in Women’s Studies and was a full-time faculty member and writing center director at Oklahoma City Community College before moving to Red Cloud. When she is not getting to know visitors or working on educator resources, Rachel serves on The Valley Child Development Center Board of Directors as secretary. Rachel loves cooking and going to the movies, but she is happiest spending time with her husband and daughter.
Thank you, Ames Public Library
for partnering with the Ames Writers Collective.
