In Fall of 2023, the University of Iowa Main Library Gallery has featured an exhibit called Hey Buddy, I’m Bill—all about the life of Bill Sackter—curated by Cup of Justice co-host Jen Knights.
Barry Morrow is a person who was central to Bill’s life, and whose contributions of photos, film, personal items, and stories are central to the exhibit. Barry and his wife, Bev, met Bill in the Twin Cities in the early 1970s, not long after Bill was released from Faribault State Hospital and School after 44 years of being institutionalized against his will. They became friends, helped Bill make his way in the world, and eventually became his family and brought him to Iowa City, where he helped create Wild Bill’s Coffee Shop in the School of Social Work.
Barry wrote a movie about Bill (Bill) that won an Emmy award and led to fame for Bill and a successful Hollywood career for Barry, who went on to write the Oscar-winning film Rain Man, also a story whose hero is a person with disability.
It’s an amazing story that we’ve covered extensively in the podcast. In this episode, we are tremendously fortunate to have Barry here in Wild Bill’s with us!
Barry and Bev visited Iowa City this fall to be part of the grand opening event for the exhibit, and they spent time with us in North Hall to record this episode in front of a live audience of Social Work students, faculty, and staff. The Hey Buddy, I’m Bill exhibit runs through December 19, 2023, in the UI Main Library Gallery. More info, along with digital extras and a virtual exhibit tour, can be discovered at https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/gallery/exhibit/hey-buddy-im-bill/.
Barry Morrow, with Stephen Cummings and Jen Knights
Wild Bill's Cup of Social Justice 