Coya Knutson
Kathy Ray
UMC to Host One-Woman Show About Coya Knutson March 6
Coya Knutson is arguably one of the most famous congresswomen in United States history. In 1955 she became Minnesota’s very first full-term congresswoman, beating four other men, including the DFL endorsed candidate.
Her story, which has been called a political soap opera, is the topic of a one-woman show called “Coya Come Back,” written and performed by Kathy Ray. The show will be performed on Wednesday, March 6, at 8 p.m. in Bede Ballroom on the campus of the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC). Admission to the performance is free, and the public is invited to attend.
Described as a maverick politician, Knutson was popular with her constituency, but not with the political power elite. When Knutson didn't fall in line with party leaders, the attacks turned personal and played on the fact that she was a woman.
Political repercussions came in 1958, when leaders within her own party urged the writing of a notorious letter from her alcoholic husband. That letter implied Coya Knutson was ignoring her family in favor of her career. The letter was introduced at the DFL district convention in Crookston and became known as the “Coya Come Home” letter.
The next morning regional newspapers featured the letter prominently, and the story quickly became a national sensation. The publicity from the letter is widely regarded as the main reason she subsequently lost a close election to Republican Odin Langen, ending her political career.
Playwright and actress Kathy Ray has been spreading the word about the courage of Coya Knutson since the fall 2001. Ray’s one-woman show about Knutson is set in a 1950s vintage dining room and living room. In this setting Ray decided to have Knutson tell her story to Betty McCollom, who recently became just the second woman elected to represent Minnesota in Congress.
"One of the strongest motives I have for [doing] this is to honor Coya Knutson," says Ray. "I feel a very deep responsibility to her as an actress and playwright.“ Ray is the co-founder of the Grant County Prairie Wind Players Community Theater in Barrett, Minnesota.
The performance is sponsored by UMC’s Concerts and Lectures Committee in observance of Women’s History Month. Disability accommodations are available upon request by calling 218-8506.Posted 02/25/2002
Contact: Andrew Svec,
218-281-8435