History
Watch this video for the Iowa and national history of Juneteenth.
On April 11, 2002, Legislation was signed into law by former Governor Tom Vilsack, currently the United States Secretary of Agriculture, establishing Juneteenth as an official day of recognition in Iowa to be annually observed on the third Saturday in June. February 26, 2015 The Iowa House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 11(HR11) that included the following language: "BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the House of Representatives acknowledges the 25th Anniversary of the Iowa Juneteenth Observance and recognizes the significant role of the Iowa Juneteenth Observance in serving as cultural and historical asset to Iowa's citizens." March 23, 2015 The State Historical Society (Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs) received deeded artifacts from the Iowa Juneteenth Observance for inclusion in the permanent records of the museum collection. The artifacts help make up the Juneteenth in Iowa museum exhibit prepared by the State Historical Museum of Iowa. June 19, 2015, Iowa Public Television aired a program, "2015 Juneteenth Jamboree", that was produced by PBS station KRLU TV out of Austin, Texas and included information on the Iowa Juneteenth Observance. |
Past Iowa Juneteenth General Chairpersons
Past Iowa Juneteenth King and Queens:
1993-1994 - Paul & Dorris Wilson 1994-1996 - R.A. & Mable Jackson
1996-1997 - Harry & Dorthy Taylor 1997-1998 - Orsel & Nellie Morrow
1998-1999 - William & Venita Wells 1999-2000 - Robert & Hessie Jenkins
2000-2001 - Peter & Frances Hawthorne 2001-2002 - Edward & Barbara Robinson
2002-2003 - Thomas & Oreatha Shears 2003-2004 - Willie & Janie Zanders
2004-2005 - Frank & Bertie Hogan 2005-2006 - William & Edith Sharp
2006-2007 - Robert & Geraldine Daniels 2007-2008 - Robert & Rebecca King
2008-2009 - Robert & Bernice Wright 2009-2010 - Johnny & Barbara Long
2010-2011 - Rev. Alex & Vera Crawford 2012-2013 - Rev. George & Marji Shade
2014-2015 - Walt & Donna Henderson 2016-2017 - Elder Jerald & Phyllis Woods
2018-2020 - Art & Marci Rabon 2021-2023 - Marion & Sandra Eppright
1993-1994 - Paul & Dorris Wilson 1994-1996 - R.A. & Mable Jackson
1996-1997 - Harry & Dorthy Taylor 1997-1998 - Orsel & Nellie Morrow
1998-1999 - William & Venita Wells 1999-2000 - Robert & Hessie Jenkins
2000-2001 - Peter & Frances Hawthorne 2001-2002 - Edward & Barbara Robinson
2002-2003 - Thomas & Oreatha Shears 2003-2004 - Willie & Janie Zanders
2004-2005 - Frank & Bertie Hogan 2005-2006 - William & Edith Sharp
2006-2007 - Robert & Geraldine Daniels 2007-2008 - Robert & Rebecca King
2008-2009 - Robert & Bernice Wright 2009-2010 - Johnny & Barbara Long
2010-2011 - Rev. Alex & Vera Crawford 2012-2013 - Rev. George & Marji Shade
2014-2015 - Walt & Donna Henderson 2016-2017 - Elder Jerald & Phyllis Woods
2018-2020 - Art & Marci Rabon 2021-2023 - Marion & Sandra Eppright