James Hormel's pioneering journey
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

When you think of Hormel you likely think of products like Spam. The Hormel family was one of Austin, Minnesota's best known families, owning one of the major employers in that southern Minnesota town.
One of the Hormel heirs, James C. Hormel, didn't stay in the family business. Instead, he made U.S. history by becoming the first openly gay U.S. ambassador.
Hormel writes about that in his memoir "Fit to Serve." Hormel tells Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer that the fight to become U.S. Ambassador was a long and ardous process but he says it was worth it.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
Dear reader,
Your voice matters. And we want to hear it.
Will you help shape the future of Minnesota Public Radio by taking our short Listener Survey?
It only takes a few minutes, and your input helps us serve you better—whether it’s news, culture, or the conversations that matter most to Minnesotans.