Iowa has reasons to be proud.

QUOTE from a bumper sticker: "Kind words make good echoes."

Some CIVIL RIGHTS history in Iowa. This morning I was reading what I wrote two years ago in my Gratitude Journal. On April 9. 2009, I wrote about why Iowa can be proud of its civil rights history. On April 3rd, 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court had passed by a 7-0 vote to allow same-sex marriage in Iowa. We were the first midwestern state and only the third in the nation to do so. Opponents of same-sex marriage will say that is not much to be proud of but if they learn what else Iowa has done in the area of civil rights they will change their minds.

 1868, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that "separate but equal" schools by race were wrong - 85 years before the U.S. Supreme Court came to the same decision.

In 1873, Iowa's court struck down discrimination in public accommodations -91 years ahead of the nation's Supreme Court.

In 1869, Iowa became the first state to admit women to the practice of law.

In the 1890s Iowa and Iowa State had African-Americans playing on their football teams.

Yes Iowa, we can be proud - we have been a leader.

HUMOR for today: Did you ever notice? The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are XL.