Inspired by her upbringing at the turn of the 20th century and considered “Iowa’s first feminist writer¹,” Ruth Suckow’s work was largely forgotten until researchers rediscovered her story in the 1980s.

The Ruth Suckow Memorial Association, with the support of Humanities Iowa, has developed a traveling exhibition celebrating the life and work of Iowa novelist and short story writer Ruth Suckow, who lived from 1892 to 1960.

In the 1920s, H. L. Mencken wrote: 
I regard Ruth Suckow as the most promising young writer of fiction, man or woman, now visibly at work in America.

Suckow is Iowa’s “Willa Cather” but, sadly, not as well known.

In 9 novels and 43 short stories (most set in Iowa) Suckow captured the lives, passions, and struggles of ordinary people in their small towns and farms. Suckow’s works include Iowa Interiors (short stories) and the novels Country People, Odyssey of a Nice Girl, The Folks (a Literary Guild selection and bestseller in 1934), A Part of the Institution (based on Grinnell College), and The John Wood Case (which draws on an actual northwest Iowa embezzlement tragedy).

The Traveling Exhibit was launched on January 1, 2024 as part of the Centennial celebration of Suckow’s first novel, Country People. In 2026, we celebrate the Centennial celebration of Iowa Interiors (1926), a collection of short stories. 

This exhibition was made possible by Humanities Iowa.

¹ Mary Jane Sweet, “Ruth Suckow: Iowa’s First Feminist Author,” Cedar Falls Record, (June 15, 1982).

Additional Resources:

Ruth Suckow Memorial Association Website

The Papers of Ruth Suckow – Collection Guide University of Iowa

The Most Famous Iowa Writer You’ve Never Heard Of – Iowa Public Radio

Companion Events:

Sunday, Aug 23 Kaffee und Kuchen:
Exhibit opening address with Barbara Lounsberry, RSMA President

Monday, Sept 14 Davenport Public Library Fairmount Shorts & Sweets
“The Man of the Family”

Saturday, Sept 19 GAHC+M Book Discussion Group
“Midwestern Primitive” & “Auntie Bissel”

Sunday, Sept 27 Kaffee und Kuchen:
Readers Theater A Great Mollie 

Sunday, Oct 11 Kaffee und Kuchen: 
Rev. William Suckow’s Autobiography with Bill Roba