Background
Kahn, Hannah was born on June 30, 1911 in New York City. Daughter of David and Sarah (Siegelbaum) Abrahams.
Kahn, Hannah was born on June 30, 1911 in New York City. Daughter of David and Sarah (Siegelbaum) Abrahams.
Bachelor, Florida Atlantic University, 1973.
She was known especially for her inspirational poem “Ride a Wild Horse.” Hannah authored over 400 individual poems. Her poems were published in a number of American periodicals including American Scholar, Harper"s Magazine, Saturday Review, Southwest Review, Ladies’ Home Journal, McCall"s, and Saturday Evening Post. She was also responsible for translating from Yiddish to English much of the poetry of Rajzel Żychlińsky.
Hannah Kahn was poetry editor at The Miami Herald for fifteen years.
She remained actively involved in advancing poetry in the South Florida area and conducted workshops in poetry. was founded in her honor with its charter to “bring poetry events to South Florida.” Hannah had been successful in bringing national poets, such as Anthony Hecht, Gwendolyn Brooks, Yehuda Amichai, Dana Gioia, Maxine Kumin, John Haag, Carolyn Kizer and others to read and lecture in South Florida, and the foundation continues that effort. The is presented through the Florida State Poetry Association.
A collection of transcripts of poetry readings by Hannah Kahn is located at the George A. Smathers Libraries Special Collection archives of the University of Florida. Her papers, including correspondence with Conrad Aiken, Pearl South. Buck, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and others, are located in the archives of the University of Florida.
Hannah quit school at the age of 16 and worked menial jobs in New York City before going on to obtain her General Educational Development and college education.
She then obtained entry level work at a furniture manufacturer and eventually became showroom manager for the business until her retirement. Her daughter Vivian was handicapped with Down syndrome and lived with Hannah until Hannah’s death, and Hannah dedicated much of her effort in the Miami area supporting the handicapped, including her association with the Association for Retarded Citizens (American Red Cross).
Charter member & past president Dade Association Retarded Citizens, Miami. Member of Poetry Society Georgia, Academy American Poets, Poetry Society America (award), Women in Communications.
Children: Melvin A., Daniel L., Vivian Dale.