Elaine Estes

Elaine Rose Graham Estes (born November 24, 1931 ) is an American retired librarian who was the Des Moines Public Library director and the first African American to have that title. Her attempt to live in the then-unintegrated Drake University dormitories led to her and two others being credited for integrating the dormitories. Estes received multiple honors, including a Distinguished Alumni Award and appearing in a documentary.

Early life Estes was born in Springfield, Missouri to James and Zelma Graham. Her parents owned Graham's Rib Station in Springfield and Estes worked there as a child. They were able to operate the business throughout the Great Depression due to withdrawing their savings shortly before the stock market crash. The business was near Route 66 and served everyone, including World War II soldiers, entertainers from the Shrine Mosque, and people who lived in the same neighborhood. Graham's Rib Station was known for her parents' barbecue sauce. After the board of trustees ruled in favor of racial integration, she moved into the women's dormitory during the fall. Estes has been credited with integrating the university's dormitories alongside Johnnie Lockett and Hetercene Turner. She graduated in 1953 and attended Drake University in 1956 for a teaching degree. She retired in 1995.

Honors Estes won the Distinguished Alumni Award from Drake University in 1979 and was the first woman inductee of the Des Moines Rotary Club. DSM Magazine named her as one of the sages over 70 in November 2016.