play of children in linn county
TRANSCRIPT
The play of young children in Linn Countyhas literally changed the course of human history, and made major contributions to human culture.
In the 300 Block of 14th Street NE In the 300 Block of 14th Street NE (near Coe College) a child from a single (near Coe College) a child from a single
parent family...parent family...
A Cedar Rapids girl (whose father is a cook at the Roosevelt Hotel) loves books and reading from
an early age.
She goes on to college at a time when this opportunity is denied
most women...
And later becomes the partner to W.E.B. DuBois, one of the most influential thinkers
of the 20th Century-
sharing in his life and important work.
A young child living 845 Second Avenue S.E. is drawn to
the arts. He loves reading, playing the piano, putting on
plays and taking pictures.
He grows up to write for the New York Times, chronicle the Harlem Renaissance (through extensive photographs) and become close friends with
Langston Hughes and Gertrude Stein.
Here’s what “Choice Literary Journal” said about a child who grew up at 1602 5th Avenue SE:
“A child of little means was nurtured and cared for in ways that would allow him to pursue
an education and live a life defined by its creative spirit.”
He was instrumental in establishing the “Writers’ Workshop” at the University of Iowa which nurtured the talents of 28 Pulitzer Prize winners including:
• Phillip Roth
• Jane Smiley
• Kurt Vonnegut
• Flannery O’Connor
• Marilyn Robinson
• Robert Bly
• W.P. Kinsella
• John Irving
• Rita Dove
• Jorie Graham
A 3 year old’s A 3 year old’s family moves into family moves into Cedar Rapids from Cedar Rapids from their rural farm...their rural farm...