Obituary – Death – Cause of death News :

Legendary Civil Rights Icon Anna Mae Weems Passes Away at Age 98

Legendary civil rights advocate Anna Mae Weems, a Waterloo native, has passed away at the age of 98. Her daughter, Frieda Weems, confirmed that Anna Mae died of natural causes on September 22 in Waterloo. Despite her passing, the family has just now made this information public.

Anna Mae was born and raised in Waterloo, becoming one of the city’s most prominent civil rights activists for social justice. She dedicated her life to fighting against racial discrimination in various aspects of society, including education, employment, and housing.

One of Anna Mae’s notable achievements was convincing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King, to visit Waterloo in 1959. Dr. King spoke at the Iowa Teachers College and made several stops in both Waterloo and Cedar Falls during his visit.

Throughout her life, Anna Mae faced challenges and risks, including beatings during protests and struggles with maintaining non-violence in the face of injustice. Despite the hardships, she continued to fight passionately for civil rights, earning recognition from organizations like the African American Museum of Iowa.

In addition to her activism, Anna Mae made history as the first African American woman to be employed as the Director of the Iowa Workforce Center for the State of Iowa. She also brought Dr. King’s close friend, C.T. Vivian, to Iowa to start the Urban Potential Program, focusing on race relations education.

Anna Mae’s legacy as a troubleshooter, not a troublemaker, lives on in the hearts of those who knew her and the community she tirelessly served. Her impact on the civil rights movement in Waterloo and the Midwest will never be forgotten.

Who was Anna Mae Weems and what was her impact on civil rights?

Anna Mae Weems was a legendary civil rights icon from Waterloo, Iowa, who passed away at the age of 98. She was born in Waterloo on February 6, 1926, and spent her entire life in the city, becoming one of the most vocal and active advocates for social justice. Anna Mae worked tirelessly against racial discrimination in various aspects of life, including education, employment, and housing.

Source: KWWL

How did Anna Mae Weems contribute to the civil rights movement?

Anna Mae played a crucial role in bringing national civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his wife, Coretta Scott King, to Waterloo in 1959. She also joined Dr. King on the picket line during the 1968 Sanitation Workers’ strike in Memphis. Despite facing beatings and arrests during protests, Anna Mae remained dedicated to fighting against racial discrimination.

Source: KWWL

What were some of the challenges Anna Mae Weems faced in her activism?

Anna Mae often struggled to reconcile Dr. King’s philosophy of non-violence with her own desire for immediate change. She found it difficult to remain quiet during demonstrations and faced personal safety risks due to her outspoken nature. Despite these challenges, Anna Mae continued to advocate for justice and equality.

Source: KWWL

How was Anna Mae Weems recognized for her contributions to civil rights?

Anna Mae received honors from various organizations, including the African American Museum of Iowa, which paid tribute to her as an Iowa civil rights pioneer in 2007. She was also the first African American woman to be employed as Director of the Iowa Workforce Center for the State of Iowa. Anna Mae’s dedication to fighting against racial discrimination left a lasting impact on the civil rights movement in Waterloo and the Midwest.

Source: KWWL