Louise Herou Papers

Louise Herou (1921-2003) was a decorated athlete, lawyer, and business owner. As a student in the 1930s and 1940s, Herou excelled in speed skating and participated in national championship competitions. She was also skilled in golf, swimming ,and Diamondball (softball). She attended the University of Minnesota, graduated from the School of Law with honors and went on to become a practicing attorney. She was active in many professional organizations and was a member of the Citizen League of Minneapolis (charter member), YWCA, Minnesota UN Association, Foreign Policy Association, American Association of University Women, and the Women's Inter-club Council of Minneapolis. She was one of the first women to become a partner in a Minneapolis law firm, at the firm of Larson, Loevinger, Lindquist, Freeman and Fraser. She was active in promoting inter-collegiate sports for women. She married Chuck Saunders (owner of Charlie's Café Exceptionale). On Saunders' death in 1964, she took over Charlie's and ran it until closing it in 1982. During this time, she served two terms as president of the Minneapolis Downtown Council. Louise Herou Sanders died in 2003 at age 82.