Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque Iowa 1989 (?) – 2000: Mentions to be made by Charlotte Solarz
Early Bahá’ís of Iowa
Race Unity Picnic a roaring, smashing success, led by the Mark & Mary McDowell in response to a publicized White Power Parade, needs to be in any report on Dubuque.
Kevin Locke appearing in his Bahá’í t- shirt doing his Hoop Dancing performance at Dubuque’s Clarke College, and 2 years later for the Kaleidoscope Festival… (same t-shirt). His Public professional Teaching Way of naming his faith that promotes the oneness of humankind as the theme of many of his dances.
Local TV took on interviews with Bahá’ís.
Jan Freese as Anchor for Dubuque–Daily teaching and service to the point of sacrifice by Jan Freese as caregiver for the ill and dying in both Stonehill Health Center and Sunnycrest Manor. She was an angel to the dying who asked for her presence when no one of family was there. Her services were especially appreciated by fellow aides who recognized her capacity to calm the agitated as well as finding ways to make them laugh. She “talked” to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as though One on one and the dreams she had were jaw dropping! One dream was of the Master walking her through the next world as she noted rooms that were filled with people who were unaware of their presence. “The different rooms held people who were at their level of understanding the purpose of their lives and each was comfortable where they were” was ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s explanation, as Jan told me. I learned from her, by this dream, more about life after death before hearing confirmation in wonderful talks on YouTube by Bahá’ís in a general way, many years later. Jan deserves a place in Dubuque’s Bahá’í history! She is buried near to Dubuque. Jan was told by Ruth Moffett (of Des Moines Iowa) to settle in Dubuque, Iowa because there were no Bahá’ís there and she needed to be there until her last days. This she fulfilled.
