Iowa City Press-Citizen
On Wednesday morning, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds released a proclamation recognizing Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, as "Donna Reed Day." The announcement comes in tandem with what would have been the Iowa-born, Oscar-winning actress's 100th birthday.
The proclamation concludes: "Now, therefore, I, Kim Reynolds, Governor of the State of Iowa, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, January 27, 2021, as Donna Reed Day in Iowa and encourage Iowans to honor Donna Reed's legacy by following their dreams with integrity, courtesy, equity, and humanity."
In honor of what would have been the actress' 100th birthday on the same year the film she's best known for, "It's a Wonderful Life," celebrates its 75th anniversary, the Press-Citizen spoke with Reed's family, members of the Donna Reed Foundation's board of directors, officials from her hometown of Denison, Iowa, and state officials who championed the cause of recognizing her life's work and lasting legacy.