Louise Herou Papers

Louise Herou (1921-2003) was an exceptional athlete particularly in speed skating, participating in national championship competitions. She was also a standout in golf and participated in swimming and Diamondball (softball). She attended the University of Minnesota, graduating from the School of Law with honors and went on to become a practicing attorney. She was active in many professional organizations as well as being 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. She also served two terms as president of the Minneapolis Downtown Council.