Biography

Linda Kay Fymbo Terry was born in 1947 in Sioux City, Iowa. Her parents lived in nearby Sergeant Bluff. Her father, son of a Danish immigrant, attended the University of Iowa Dental School and became the mayor of Sergeant Bluff. Linda Terry attended the Sergeant Bluff-Luton Consolidated High School and went to Iowa State University, graduating with a degree in Home Economics in 1970. Her social and personal politics transformed while at Ames and after graduation, she joined an alternative commune in nearby Boone, Iowa. In 1971, she married Dixon Terry and they moved to his family’s farm where Dixon Terry intended to farm for a living. A daughter Willow and a son Dusky were born in 1972 and 1975 respectively. In 1978, the Terrys moved to a farm owned by his parents near Greenfield in Adair County. They borrowed money from the Farm Home Mortgage Association to buy the land and build a milking parlor. In 1979, they became interested in Democratic Party politics and soon joined its central committee. They attended meetings of the United States Farmers’ Alliance and invited other couples of their generation to join the Prairie Progressive Alliance. They attended the first meeting of the Iowa Farm Unity Coalition in Atlantic, Iowa. This organization was closely linked to Rural America and its successor PrairieFire Rural Action and through them, Dixon Terry became a key spokesperson for Iowa farmers. In 1985, Linda Terry was active with the organizing of the women’s conference Harvesting Our Potential. In 1987, Jesse Jackson established the national headquarters for his primary campaign in Greenfield, Iowa and Terry worked for his campaign. In May, 1989, Dixon Terry died when struck by lightening. Linda Terry raised two children as a single mother, works with disadvantaged children in Des Moines, and farms part of the Terry farm. Her family remains central to her identity and circle of concern.

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