Flora Lee of Sioux City, Iowa was a boundless African American female leader for her community, Woodbury County, and the State of Iowa. She passed away this past April but is fondly and accurately remembered for her activism.

Flora was born in the Southeast Bottoms of Sioux City where she lived with her parents and two brothers. She graduated from Central High, and attended and received a Bachelor’s and master’s degree in Sociology and Counseling from Wayne State College.

Her educational background served her well as a Licensed Practical Nurse, and a residential supervisor therapist for more than 15 years at St. Luke’s Gordon Recovery Center in Sioux City.

A glass ceiling breaker, Ms. Lee became the first Black woman elected to public office in Woodbury County. She was elected to serve on the Sioux City Community School Board in1991, a position she held for 12 years.

Amongst her additional accomplishments:

Chair of the local NAACP for more than a decade.

Northwest Area Education consultant for 20 years

Her longtime friend RoxAnn Smith shared, I always admired how Flora Lee dealt with all of life‘s trials. I asked her once how she managed so well. She responded by saying, “I rely on Faith, Family, and Friends.” Family was always at the heart of our talks. Her children, Treyla, Marissa, and Trenton, were a source of such joy and pride.

Flora Lee was also a diligent worker with both the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and the Sioux City Human Rights Commission.

RoxAnn describes advice she frequently received from Flora, “RoxAnn, it is not your circus.” That saying has helped me more than once.

We thank and recognize the assistance and guidance Flora Lee provided to move women in Iowa to a stronger position.