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MERRITT, Jacqueline: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:imp215.jpg|left|thumb|150px|The 1978 recipient of the First Citizen Award, Jacqueline Merritt led efforts in the arts and human services. ]]MERRITT, Jacqueline. (Dubuque, IA- ). Jacque, her four brothers and sisters, and their mother were "The Merritt Singers" who performed "The Sound of Music" and other musicals for local groups. She majored in music and communications in college and once sang for occasions including musicals and weddings. (1) | [[Image:imp215.jpg|left|thumb|150px|The 1978 recipient of the First Citizen Award, Jacqueline Merritt led efforts in the arts and human services. ]]MERRITT, Jacqueline. (Dubuque, IA- ). Jacque, her four brothers and sisters, and their mother were "The Merritt Singers" who performed "The Sound of Music" and other musicals for local groups. She majored in music and communications in college and once sang for occasions including musicals and weddings. (1) | ||
The birth of her daughter Amy influenced many of her future plans. Merritt's concern for her severely mentally handicapped and blind, brought them both to Dubuque's [[AREA RESIDENTIAL CARE]] | The birth of her daughter Amy influenced many of her future plans. Merritt's concern for her severely mentally handicapped and blind, brought them both to Dubuque's [[AREA RESIDENTIAL CARE, INC.]] When Jacque found ARC only accepted older children she found volunteers and the class was expanded to accept clients. Jacque eventually became a director on the ARC board and also vice-president. (2) In a 1992 interview she remembered that singing to her daughter was a way of teaching her to talk. That conviction that arts played an important role led her to establish Very Special Arts across Iowa. This later merged locally with Dubuquefest to form [[DUBUQUEFEST/VERY SPECIAL ARTS]]. (3) | ||
Merritt, the first woman to receive the First Citizen Award, joined with others in 1970 to form the Five Flags Civic Center Committee. She served as chairwoman of the Five Flags Building Committee and [[FIVE FLAGS CIVIC CENTER]] executive committee. Merritt also served on the governing boards of [[AREA RESIDENTIAL CARE, INC.]], [[UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE]], Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque-Jackson County Mental Health Center, [[DUBUQUE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA]], and [[FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF DUBUQUE]]. | Merritt, the first woman to receive the First Citizen Award, joined with others in 1970 to form the Five Flags Civic Center Committee. She served as chairwoman of the Five Flags Building Committee and [[FIVE FLAGS CIVIC CENTER]] executive committee. Merritt also served on the governing boards of [[AREA RESIDENTIAL CARE, INC.]], [[UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE]], Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque-Jackson County Mental Health Center, [[DUBUQUE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA]], and [[FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF DUBUQUE]]. | ||
Revision as of 02:42, 21 January 2019
MERRITT, Jacqueline. (Dubuque, IA- ). Jacque, her four brothers and sisters, and their mother were "The Merritt Singers" who performed "The Sound of Music" and other musicals for local groups. She majored in music and communications in college and once sang for occasions including musicals and weddings. (1)
The birth of her daughter Amy influenced many of her future plans. Merritt's concern for her severely mentally handicapped and blind, brought them both to Dubuque's AREA RESIDENTIAL CARE, INC. When Jacque found ARC only accepted older children she found volunteers and the class was expanded to accept clients. Jacque eventually became a director on the ARC board and also vice-president. (2) In a 1992 interview she remembered that singing to her daughter was a way of teaching her to talk. That conviction that arts played an important role led her to establish Very Special Arts across Iowa. This later merged locally with Dubuquefest to form DUBUQUEFEST/VERY SPECIAL ARTS. (3)
Merritt, the first woman to receive the First Citizen Award, joined with others in 1970 to form the Five Flags Civic Center Committee. She served as chairwoman of the Five Flags Building Committee and FIVE FLAGS CIVIC CENTER executive committee. Merritt also served on the governing boards of AREA RESIDENTIAL CARE, INC., UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE, Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque-Jackson County Mental Health Center, DUBUQUE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, and FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF DUBUQUE.
Merritt was responsible for beginning the Dubuque Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and was active with the United Way, Foster Grandparent Advisory Board, DUBUQUE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION and the Iowa Association of Retarded Citizens. In the fall of 1977, Merritt was named chairperson of the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education Committee of Arts for the Handicapped. The same year she received the Distinguished Service Award from the Dubuque JAYCEES. In 1978 she was presented the City Council Outstanding Service Award and was the recipient of the FIRST CITIZEN AWARD.
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Source:
1. Schwar, Kathy, " 'First Citizen' Jacque Merrit: Always Giving," Telegraph Herald, December 28, 1978, p. 14
2. Ibid.
3. Glindinning, Mary, "Award Honors Festival Founder," Telegraph Herald, May 7, 1995, p. 7