DES MOINES, Iowa — Educators are routinely seen teaching history lessons but rarely do they become one themselves.
“Harriette Curley Bruce is a really compelling story,” said Leo Landis who serves as curator for the State Historical Museum of Iowa. After graduating from Drake University in 1945 Harriette Curley Bruce, a Des Moines East High School alum applied for an opportunity to teach kindergarten at Perkins Elementary in 1946. Landis said, “The Black community in Des Moines had been trying to get a Black teacher for about 15 years.”
At a time when all other teachers in the district were white, a few dozen parents thought the potential of her in a classroom molding the minds of their white children was cause for protest. “It wasn’t like Des Moines’ school board saying we are ready to hire. It was Black Iowans in Des Moines advocating for someone like Harriette Curley who has been trained and be hired as a teacher in DMPS,” said Landis.
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The superintendent of the district at the time was N.D. McCombs who saw Harriette’s resume spoke louder than any skin tone. Landis said, “In early September of 1946 and the protesting of her hiring, he says the policy is we look for the best candidates. She has great recommendations from her teachers at Drake. She passed all the state licensing requirements. Why would we not hire the most qualified person?”