Iowa Famous

adjective
describes a person of note who was born in, died in, lived in, went to school in, or was otherwise impacted by the state of Iowa.

In this Talk of Iowa series, host Charity Nebbe discusses Iowans of past and present who made an impact in arts, politics, social justice, education, sports and more. Whatever their connection is to the state, we claim Iowans of all types.

Mike Draper has dressed the Midwest in RAYGUN t-shirts

Natalie Dunlap

This Iowan moved back home after graduating college and opened a t-shirt store in Des Moines. 20 years later, RAYGUN has 10 locations across the Midwest.
Miss Piggy is a feminist icon — and she's from Iowa

Natalie Dunlap

The most glamourous pig in show business had a humble start and is really “a truck driver underneath.”
James Hearst captured deep observations in poetry about farm life

Natalie Dunlap

This Iowan became famous for his writing about farm life and was the first to receive an honorary degree from the University of Northern Iowa.
Jane Elliott took a bold approach to understanding discrimination in her Iowa classroom

Natalie Dunlap

This Iowa teacher became famous for her blue eyes/brown eyes exercise that had children experience prejudice on a personal level.

Iowa Famous

Iowa Famous

Subscribe to the Daily Digest for bite-sized news from IPR and NPR, plus a bit of good news, delivered fresh to your inbox every weekday.