Representative Crokin recounts Davenport couple's 1945 stand against segregation during Black History Month remarks
Summary
On the House floor for Black History Month, Representative Crokin told the story of Davenport residents Charles and Anne Toney, who refused service at a Colonial Fountain ice cream shop in 1945 and filed charges; Crokin cited the Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1884 in recounting the couple's actions.
Representative Crokin, recognized for the Iowa House Black History Month presentation, told the story of Charles and Anne Toney of Davenport and their protest against segregation in the mid-1940s.
"I speak this morning of a story of 2 Davenport residents and their stand against segregation," Crokin said on the House floor. Crokin said Charles Toney moved to Davenport in 1932 to attend Saint Ambrose University, later trained as a welder at John Deere Plow Works, and retired in 1983 as director of affirmative action. Anne Toney was described as born in Des Moines and moving to Davenport in 1942; the couple published a magazine, Sepia Record, featuring articles about African Americans.
Crokin recounted that on "July 20 fourth of 19 45," while walking home from a movie at the then-integrated Capitol Theater, the Tonys stopped for an ice cream at the Colonial Fountain and were refused service by the store clerk. Crokin said the Tonys filed charges with the Scott County attorney and that they were told pursuing charges could risk advertising revenue for those who pursued civil rights cases in Davenport. Crokin cited the Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1884 in describing the legal basis for the Tonys' complaint.
Crokin closed by urging colleagues to remember the story while discussing civil rights policy: "Our job is to serve Iowans, all Iowans, no matter their career, excuse me, creed, color, or classification." The remarks were presented as part of the House's Black History Month commemorations; the transcript does not record follow-up debate, questions, or legislative action based on the speech.
The remarks also included acknowledgments: Crokin thanked Representative Mary Madison and her clerk Kimberly Madison for organizing Black History Month events and credited his clerk, Eli Benson, for research and preparation of the remarks.
