Iowa Quakers (Conviction & Courage)

Iowa Civil Rights History

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In this episode; I sat down with Pastor Robert Radcliff from Riverside friends church in Mason City, Iowa. Riverside is a Quaker church. Pastor Robert discusses Quaker's history, faith, past, and where the organization stands today in the fight for civil rights.

As Iowa joined the Union as a free state in 1846 it also attracted people with anti-slavery views to the state, none were more vocal and radical about their detest for the institution of slavery than the Religious Society of Friends(Quakers).

Quakers were among the first white people to denounce the institution of slavery in the American colonies, and they became the first religious organization to take a collective stand against both slavery and the slave trade.

As slaves were running away from Missouri and sometimes Kansas, Iowa became either their destination or the path to their destination, which was anywhere that they could find freedom. Iowa Quakers either provided food, shelter, direction, or transportation. You could find these people called “FRIENDS” from the small town of Salem to Springdale Iowa.

Iowa Quakers played a major role as the safe haven for runaway slaves during the underground railroad time.

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