Elaine Graham Estes named Iowan of the Day

DES MOINES, IA (08/01/2024) (readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are pleased to present Elaine Graham Estes of Des Moines as an Iowan of the Day for the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Elaine is described as a groundbreaker and pacesetter for all Iowans. She has been a civil and women's rights pioneer since she was young and has continued to be a leader in her community.

Elaine helped to integrate the dorms at Drake when she began her college education there in 1949. She graduated from Drake in 1953 with a degree in Business Administration, but an advertisement for a job at the Des Moines Public Library changed her career path. Elaine got her Master's in Library Science from the University of Illinois and spent 39 years with the Des Moines Public Library. She was promoted to library director, where she broke through the glass ceiling as the first African American Des Moines Public Library Director and one of the first female directors nationally. As the director, she innovated various library materials, automated the library, fought to protect privacy rights, and against censorship.

Outside of her work at the library, Elaine has served her community, her state, and her country on a variety of boards and organizations, including the American Library Association Literary Landmarks, the Des Moines Playhouse, the Des Moines Art Center, the State Historical Society, the Des Moines Historic Preservation Commission, the Des Moines Rotary as the first woman inductee, and was the Iowa Advisor to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Elaine's day of recognition will be Friday, August 16th at the 2024 Iowa State Fair. She will be recognized with a presentation on the Anne & Bill Riley stage at 12:00 PM. Along with accommodations at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown, she will receive a gift bag, Grandstand Concert tickets, use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart, a cash prize, Iowa State Fair admission tickets, and VIP parking.

Founded in 1997, the Iowan of the Day program allows the Blue Ribbon Foundation to recognize Iowa's most outstanding individuals. The program continues to honor Iowans across the state who have made a difference in the lives of others, while upholding the characteristics associated with Iowa- dependability, integrity, hard work and sense of community.

The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $200 million for renovation and preservation of the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. For more information, please contact the Blue Ribbon Foundation at 1-800-450-3732 or Info@BlueRibbonFoundation.org.

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