Dr. Lulu Merle Johnson Bronze Statue to Rise in Iowa
A 7-foot bronze statue honoring Dr. Lulu Merle Johnson, the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa, will be erected.
Iowa City, Iowa – A 7-foot bronze statue honoring Dr. Lulu Merle Johnson is set to be unveiled in September 2026. Johnson achieved a significant milestone in 1941, becoming the first African American woman to earn a doctoral degree from the University of Iowa.
Despite her academic achievement, Johnson faced discriminatory hiring practices and was unable to pursue her career in Iowa. She subsequently built a successful career in education in the segregated Southern United States. Her contributions are now being recognized decades later, as per a press release.
The statue will be installed in the county named after Johnson, marking a belated acknowledgment of her accomplishments. The erection of the monument over 80 years after her graduation highlights historical inequities while celebrating her impact on education and science.
Dr. Johnson's legacy is significant, and her story serves as an inspiration. The statue aims to remind future generations of her perseverance and intellectual contributions during a time of pervasive racial and gender discrimination.