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Edna Griffin biographical information, 1998
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Edna M. Griffin [photo] Edna M. Griffin has been called the Rosa Parks of Des Moines. In 1948, after being refused service at the Katz Drug Store lunch counter that did not serve African Americans, she helped organize protests and sit-ins and waged a legal campaign that ultimately opened Iowa's public accommodations to serve people of color. Griffin was involved in many other peace and human rights efforts. Born in Kentucky in 1909 she grew up on a New Hampshire farm and moved to Des Moines in 1947. In 1998, on the 50th anniversary of her successful desegration efforts, Griffin was honored by Urban Dreams for her leadership and bravery. A dedication of a commemorative plaque was also held at the site that once housed Katz, followed by an evening reception/reunion/reenactment at the State Historical Building. Griffin was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1998, the Flynn Building, which housed Katz, was renamed the Edna Griffin Building. She was honored with the Cristine Wilson Medal in 1998. Griffin died in 2000. Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice-- 2000 Edition/14
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Edna M. Griffin [photo] Edna M. Griffin has been called the Rosa Parks of Des Moines. In 1948, after being refused service at the Katz Drug Store lunch counter that did not serve African Americans, she helped organize protests and sit-ins and waged a legal campaign that ultimately opened Iowa's public accommodations to serve people of color. Griffin was involved in many other peace and human rights efforts. Born in Kentucky in 1909 she grew up on a New Hampshire farm and moved to Des Moines in 1947. In 1998, on the 50th anniversary of her successful desegration efforts, Griffin was honored by Urban Dreams for her leadership and bravery. A dedication of a commemorative plaque was also held at the site that once housed Katz, followed by an evening reception/reunion/reenactment at the State Historical Building. Griffin was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1998, the Flynn Building, which housed Katz, was renamed the Edna Griffin Building. She was honored with the Cristine Wilson Medal in 1998. Griffin died in 2000. Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice-- 2000 Edition/14
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