December 15, 1968 – African-American civil rights advocate Helen Lemme – who lived most of her life in Iowa City – dies at age 64.
In the 1930’s, a proud black woman from Grinnell, Iowa, who was denied an 8th grade gold-medal in scholarship because of skin color, came to Iowa City and helped transform it by opening doors for people of color. When prejudice closed SUI dorms to African Americans, Helen and Allyn Lemme freely opened their home, setting in place an example of servanthood that touches people’s hearts even to today.
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Correction: In the Lemme story there is a photo identified as Capitol St. In fact, it is Washington St.
Good eyes, David. Corrected!