HAMMOND PRESENTED NOUN AWARD
Johnie Hammond of Ames was presented the Louise Noun Civil Liberties Award at the ACLUF of Iowa's 2009 Annual Dinner. This award has been presented annually for the past six years to a person or persons that excel in their work toward freedom and civil liberties advocacy. The Noun Award is named in honor of ACLU-IA matriarch Louise Noun of Des Moines – herself a champion of the equality and compassion that Senator Hammond worked hard for throughout her political career.
Senator Hammond served twenty years in the Iowa General Assembly – twelve years in the House and eight years in the Senate. During her two decades as a public servant at the Capitol, she maintained an average of voting with the ACLU position over 80% of the time [for the years 1984-88, her voting record with the ACLU-IA was a perfect 100%]. She jokingly claims that her average dropped off once Legislative Director Marty Ryan began his career at the Capitol.
While in the Iowa Senate, Johnie also spent six very active years on the ACLU of Iowa Board of Directors, participating on the Nominating, Legal, and Membership Committees. She was chair of the Nominating Committee for two years and brought balance and diversification to the board. Affirmative action is a way of life for Johnie, not just a policy.
In addition to serving on the ACLU-IA board, she has served on boards of directors for the League of Women Voters, Legal Services of Story County, Center for Creative Justice, the Iowa Board of Corrections (DOC) – just to name a few! While serving on the DOC board, she was simultaneously serving as a member of the National Advisory Council of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, when it sued the Dept. of Corrections in questioning the constitutionality of the Innerchange Freedom Initiative Program at the Newton Correctional Facility. It provided for an interesting conflict; one that Johnie handled with dignity and fairness to both parties.
Hammond was born in 1932 in Eupora, Mississippi. She is an active American Baptist (which historically has strongly supported church/state separation) and is deeply committed to her family including her husband, Earl, their four children and eleven grandchildren. Hammond was also inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 2005.
Johnie acknowledged she is grateful for this tribute; has known and admired both Louise Noun and the individuals who have previously been honored – and is equally grateful that her award was not given posthumously, as some have been!
The ACLU Foundation of Iowa, and co-sponsor Hawkeye Chapter, held its Annual Dinner on Saturday, May 2, at the University Athletic Club on the campus of the University of Iowa – a "change in venue" that didn't need a court order. Previous annual dinners have traditionally been held at the U of I Memorial Union (with the exception of Old Brick a couple years ago). And, some long-time members may remember the cramped quarters of the basement of the Unitarian Church back in the 1980s and early 1990s.
The featured speaker for the evening was Iowa Supreme Court Justice David Wiggins, who spoke on "Judicial independence." In keeping with the Court's rules, Wiggins was not able to talk about the recent Varmum v. Brien case, in which the court ruled that Iowa's Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was unconstitutional. This case gained national attention, as Iowa became one of six states to legalize the marriage between same-sex couples – either by statute or, in Iowa's case, by judicial decree. 
It appeared as though everyone enjoyed themselves and left with a memorable experience and a well-satisfied tummy. As always, the ACLUF of Iowa extends a BIG thank you to Sondra Smith, IMU Catering & Event Coordinator, for her planning expertise of the event. And, we thank everyone for their attendance and participation and look forward to celebrating the next Annual Dinner scheduled to be held in Iowa City on May 1, 2010 – during our 75th Anniversary Year!