It was Ballantine’s grandfather, John Cowles Jr. who made it possible for African Americans to attend our school. Morley Cowles Ballantine, Richard’s mother, graduated from Northrop Collegiate School in 1943. It’s now called Blake, and it’s in Minneapolis.

We didn’t call it integration, we called it a chance to get to know each other. We were mildly surprised to find out how smart, fun and likeable these girls were.

This was such a great idea because in our class alone, we had the granddaughters of Cargill, 3M, Target, General Mills and Cream of Wheat’s founders.

I’m not saying these companies were influenced, just that they were way ahead of their time for quiet integration.

As for me, it has given me a joyous life of what some may call me – what was that word again? Oh yes, a liberal!

Toni Perue

Durango