The Dallas County Democrats (democratsfordallascounty@gmail.com) submitted this post with the permission and involvement of Gladys Julstrom and her family members.

Calvin Coolidge was president of the United States on February 17, 1924, having succeeded Warren Harding upon his sudden death while in office the summer before. On that day, Gladys Stohlgren was born in Des Moines, one of five children, to a Swedish Lutheran family. This year, she’ll vote for Kamala Harris, who would be the first woman president of the United States.

Now 100 years old, Gladys is one of six centenarians who are registered Democrats in Dallas County. She plans to cast her vote using a mailed in ballot. She is voting because she is “concerned about the worldwide situation,” she said. She votes because “I like to help people who care about the welfare of people.”

Gladys has always voted. She remembers Harry Truman, Lyndon Johnson (“LBJ” is how she referred to him), when John Kennedy was assassinated, and knows Jimmy Carter just turned 100 years old too. She has volunteered on campaigns, knocking on doors and “posting envelopes.” She liked to attend events when presidential candidates visited Iowa.

Gladys married Donald Julstrom, a veteran of World War II, in 1946. They had five sons, including one set of twins. Donald was the shop supervisor in the experimental engineering department with John Deere, which he helped start after the war. Gladys was a homemaker. She was proud of her yearly vegetable garden. She credits her long life to eating her garden vegetables and playing tennis with the old rackets and “dirty white balls” she found around the house. 

Sometimes, Gladys hung her head and knitted her brow as she tried to remember or say something. It took her more time to answer a question. But she did not act frustrated. She’d raise her head and look up and say, “Anyway,” and continue on as best she could.

She remains as positive as possible. Getting old is “no fun,” she said, and she likes to sleep when she can. She was tired recently after visiting with family from Oklahoma the day before. “I can’t complain. I’ve had a wonderful life,” she said. “I get good care,” she added, and much appreciates the help of her son, Jim and his wife Elaine, who live in the area.

All her sons are healthy and supportive. She is aware, however, that there is a “shortage of people that want to do the work [to care for older persons].”

She believes voting is important. To those who do not, she would say, “if they care about people, they should vote for people they think will help.” She said our politics need “people of goodwill.” Gladys then asked to let her know if there was anything she could do to help.

The Dallas County Democrats have offered to help senior and disabled individuals to cast their votes this year as they would like. If you or someone you know who may need help voting this year, please send contact information to the Dallas County Democrats at democratsfordallascounty@gmail.com.

The Dallas County Democrats will assist any person who needs help voting, regardless of party affiliation.

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Editor’s note from Laura Belin: This Bleeding Heartland post has more details on Iowa’s early voting deadlines and requirements, as well as allowable forms of voter ID and proof of address for Iowans planning to vote in person on November 5, 2024.