Political Activism, Civil Rights Activism, and Community Leadership

Helen was a member of the Democratic Party. From 1943 to 1944 she was president of her precinct committee.  She served as a precinct committeewoman.  She was a delegate at state and county conventions.  She was a member of the Democratic Black Caucus.  Helen was a delegate to state and county conventions.  In 1944 she attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago where she advocated for more African American representation.

In 1946 she was elected President of the Iowa City League of Women Voters.   She cared about local government issues as well as national issues.  From 1963-1966 she was an active member of the Iowa City Human Relations Commission.   Helen advocated for and helped bring about the council-manager form of government in Iowa City.  She served as secretary of the Johnson County Advisory Board of the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program.  She was a member of the board’s housing committee.

In 1955 she was selected to be Iowa City Woman of the Year.  Helen was also the first African American women to be named Best Citizen of Iowa City.  

Helen served as president of the Henry Sabin School PTA.  She was elected to seats on the boards of the YMCA, the Girl Scouts and the Civic Music Association.

Helen was president of the Iowa City Council of Church Women.  She represented her church, First Baptist Church, on the United Campus of Christian Ministry.   She was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church in Iowa City.