Judy Graves
Judy Graves recounts joining ACORN in the late 1970s as a VISTA volunteer and learning organizing practices while working in Davenport, Iowa. She describes ACORN’s presence in the city, early neighborhood campaigns related to housing and infrastructure, and interactions with local elected officials and the media. Graves explains how her experiences in Davenport shifted her understanding of community work from individual support to collective action. She also details her role in housing advocacy, including accompanying HUD officials during site visits, and her involvement in Iowa caucus activities and Democratic Party representation efforts. The interview continues through her later organizing work in Grand Rapids, where she contributed to delegate wins and local issue campaigns.