Iowa’s flag is 100 years old today.
The Iowa Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution held an event at the Capitol on Monday, March 29, 2021 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the Iowa flag.
Dixie Cornell Gephardt, who designed the flag, was a DAR member when she created it. She was Iowa’s 12th DAR State Regent, serving from 1915-1918.
Adam Gregg, the lieutenant governor, read a proclamation making this date the official Iowa flag day.
Dixie was born Nov. 18, 1866 to Dr. Norman Cornell and Mary Timmonds Cornell. They were one of the outstanding pioneer families of Knoxville.
Dixie died in Knoxville on Oct. 16, 1955 at 88 years, 10 months and 28 days.
She dedicated her life to God, home and country and served as a role model to all who came after her with a desire to serve others.
“…Iowa’s flag should embrace the history of its domain from the time of its occupation by the Indians to discovery by the French and purchase from Napoleon by Jefferson, to its admission into the Union, down to the present time.
“All this should be represented in a design so simple that school children and adults can recognize its symbolism and know that it meant Iowa.
“The blue stands for loyalty, justice and truth; the white for purity; and the red for courage. On the white center stripe is an eagle carrying in its beak blue streamers inscribed with the state motto, Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain. The word Iowa is in red letters just below the streamers…” – Dixie Cornell Gebhardt
