Edna and Stan were both amazing fighters, though she was the one out front and he was her rock. Great people I got to know when I lived in Des Moines long ago. Thank you for keeping their memory alive!
Great writing, powerful story of truth and justice seekers. Thanks for continuing to carry your family's torch for justice forward Dr. Bob. It was great to meet you at Grinnell Saturday!
So very interesting. As a young girl we went to the Katz Store with my mom and Grandmother but I am sorry to say I never heard that told. Thank you and your late Mother for sharing.
A great story.. I recently noted that today's protestors can learn from the civil rights movement which thrived on strategic persistence despite setbacks. MLK united diverse coalitions through a shared moral vision, training activists in nonviolence. It applied targeted pressure—boycotts, protests, and alternative institutions—while documenting abuses to shape public opinion. Most importantly, it sustained hope and determination, recognizing that real change demands ongoing, strategic struggle.
Instead of a single MLK or Mrs. Edna Griffin, right now we are relying upon multiple leaders, like Sen. Booker today on the Senate Floor, or AOC and Sen. Sanders. But we can still push current leaders to speak out louder. Today's leaders with the biggest megaphones, including current politicians and aspirants, can do more.
PS. Bob, I was director of the Civil Rights Commission under Vilsack and Culver. Around the 40th anniversary of the federal Civil Rights laws, we renamed our first floor offices in Grimes Office Building, as the Edna Griffin Offices. We also made sure other leaders were recognized by the Gov. and other offices were named in honor of leaders in the women's, Latino, Asia and disability communities.
Powerful writing as always. Sad to hear you witnessed such tragic events and abuse, but thx for sharing. Btw I bought your book from Steve @ the Book fest!
You made the correct decision to talk about your mother and Edna Griffin. Thank you for sharing the story of Griffin. How incredible for you to meet her son! We must continue to focus on every bit of positivity we can which allows us the energy to "fight" against the unbelievable situations occurring in the US. Thank you and thank you!
Robert, this is just the right time to remind us of our Iowa Legacy. We can build on the work of Marilyn Leonard and Edna Griffin. We have roots that nourish us, everywhere. My hometown was the earth for Susan Clark and Jeremiah Clark. All over Iowa are other gardens of liberty and justice. Our liberties we prize, promote, defend, and, dammit!, our rights we will maintain!
Thank you for relating not only the Edna Griffin story once again, but for relating the story of your family's dealing with physical abuse of women. Your mother and your father showed compassion, mercy, and courage. They obviously passed these qualities to the next generation.
Thank you for this story, Bob. I was watching your live feed of the Book Festival and I heard you tell the story of Ms. Griffin sitting at the counter at the Katz drug store and how your mom would tell the story every single time your family drove passed the store when you were a child. My immediate thought was if people did not know one other thing about you listening to you tell that story would give everyone a glimpse at who you are, what matters to you, and how you live your life. You are a good one, Dr. Bob.
Thanks for the stories, Bob, and the candid memories. I grew up in Highland Park. Katz Drug must have moved to Park Fair Mall because when I attended Harding Junior High, it was an after-school hangout then.
Given who you seem to be Bob, I’m not surprised by your mother’s courage and her fight for justice. Sometimes when I look around and can’t believe the place we are in, in our state and country, I remember stories like your mother’s, Edna Griffin, John Lewis, and others, and know that people have always had to fight for justice and for what is right. May we draw strength from these stories. We aren’t alone. It is our turn.
Edna and Stan were both amazing fighters, though she was the one out front and he was her rock. Great people I got to know when I lived in Des Moines long ago. Thank you for keeping their memory alive!
Great writing, powerful story of truth and justice seekers. Thanks for continuing to carry your family's torch for justice forward Dr. Bob. It was great to meet you at Grinnell Saturday!
So very interesting. As a young girl we went to the Katz Store with my mom and Grandmother but I am sorry to say I never heard that told. Thank you and your late Mother for sharing.
A great story.. I recently noted that today's protestors can learn from the civil rights movement which thrived on strategic persistence despite setbacks. MLK united diverse coalitions through a shared moral vision, training activists in nonviolence. It applied targeted pressure—boycotts, protests, and alternative institutions—while documenting abuses to shape public opinion. Most importantly, it sustained hope and determination, recognizing that real change demands ongoing, strategic struggle.
Instead of a single MLK or Mrs. Edna Griffin, right now we are relying upon multiple leaders, like Sen. Booker today on the Senate Floor, or AOC and Sen. Sanders. But we can still push current leaders to speak out louder. Today's leaders with the biggest megaphones, including current politicians and aspirants, can do more.
PS. Bob, I was director of the Civil Rights Commission under Vilsack and Culver. Around the 40th anniversary of the federal Civil Rights laws, we renamed our first floor offices in Grimes Office Building, as the Edna Griffin Offices. We also made sure other leaders were recognized by the Gov. and other offices were named in honor of leaders in the women's, Latino, Asia and disability communities.
I think Reynolds has erased those names.
PS what a mom.
Thanks, Ralph. As civil rights erode, we need to relearn those lessons. Thanks for your contributions.
This is very moving, Bob, and I learned so much. I will visit that lunch counter. Sincerely, Susan.
Powerful writing as always. Sad to hear you witnessed such tragic events and abuse, but thx for sharing. Btw I bought your book from Steve @ the Book fest!
Thanks!
You made the correct decision to talk about your mother and Edna Griffin. Thank you for sharing the story of Griffin. How incredible for you to meet her son! We must continue to focus on every bit of positivity we can which allows us the energy to "fight" against the unbelievable situations occurring in the US. Thank you and thank you!
Robert, this is just the right time to remind us of our Iowa Legacy. We can build on the work of Marilyn Leonard and Edna Griffin. We have roots that nourish us, everywhere. My hometown was the earth for Susan Clark and Jeremiah Clark. All over Iowa are other gardens of liberty and justice. Our liberties we prize, promote, defend, and, dammit!, our rights we will maintain!
Thank you, Bob. A powerful post.
Thank you for relating not only the Edna Griffin story once again, but for relating the story of your family's dealing with physical abuse of women. Your mother and your father showed compassion, mercy, and courage. They obviously passed these qualities to the next generation.
Thank you for this story, Bob. I was watching your live feed of the Book Festival and I heard you tell the story of Ms. Griffin sitting at the counter at the Katz drug store and how your mom would tell the story every single time your family drove passed the store when you were a child. My immediate thought was if people did not know one other thing about you listening to you tell that story would give everyone a glimpse at who you are, what matters to you, and how you live your life. You are a good one, Dr. Bob.
Thanks for the stories, Bob, and the candid memories. I grew up in Highland Park. Katz Drug must have moved to Park Fair Mall because when I attended Harding Junior High, it was an after-school hangout then.
This is so inspiring! Thanks for sharing all of this!!
Wow! You've got serious Justice DNA! Thank you.
Given who you seem to be Bob, I’m not surprised by your mother’s courage and her fight for justice. Sometimes when I look around and can’t believe the place we are in, in our state and country, I remember stories like your mother’s, Edna Griffin, John Lewis, and others, and know that people have always had to fight for justice and for what is right. May we draw strength from these stories. We aren’t alone. It is our turn.