Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
HALLIBURTON, Louise Herron
HALLIBURTON, Louise Herron. (Dubuque, IA, 1897--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 7, 1991). Pioneer social activist and well-known local artist. Halliburton was described in a 1970 New York Times article about Dubuque as a "pacifist" since before WORLD WAR I. The article went on to describe her activities as fasting for peace, picketing for civil rights, and befriending conscientious objectors. She is best remembered as an organizer and regular participant in the seven-year-old SILENT VIGIL FOR PEACE demonstrations at WASHINGTON PARK during the VIETNAM WAR. A picture of the vigil appeared in the New York Times.
Halliburton's life as an agent for social change began early. She successfully petitioned the school superintendent to allow her to take a manual training class only open for boys at that time. In later years, she joined the War Resisters' League and was the only protester to march with conscientious objectors during WORLD WAR II. She was associated with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (N.A.A.C.P.), American Friends Service Committee, and the Dubuque Quaker meetings.
Recognized as one of the area's finest watercolorists, Halliburton studied at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C. before returning to Dubuque in 1939. A past officer of the DUBUQUE ART ASSOCIATION, she had works exhibited at the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE, CLARKE COLLEGE, and the CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY. Her paintings are held in private collections across the United States.