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Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities 2025 Annual Report Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

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Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

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Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Member Hub Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Academy Small Business Support Small Business Hub Funding Opportunities Allied Member Services Main Street Insurance
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

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Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

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Dr Sommer Bodycheck Gallery

Dr. Sommer's eyes scanned the gallery, taking in the familiar sights. There was "Bertha," a 75-year-old woman who had donated her body to science, her transparent skin revealing the delicate dance of blood vessels beneath. Next to her stood "Mark," a young athlete whose body had been preserved in a state of mid-stride, his muscles tensed and ready to spring into action.

As the morning wore on, Dr. Sommer began to prepare for his first group of visitors – a class of medical students from the local university. They would be observing a series of body checks, carefully examining each specimen and taking detailed notes. Dr. Sommer took pride in ensuring that every visitor left his gallery with a deeper understanding of the human body. Dr Sommer Bodycheck Gallery

Goldstein, a survivor of Nazi persecution, used his column to fight sexual ignorance and provide medically grounded, nonjudgmental answers at a time when schools and parents often remained silent on the topic. Next to her stood "Mark," a young athlete

: You can find current galleries and educational articles on the Dr. Sommer section of the Bravo website . They would be observing a series of body

The search for the Dr Sommer Bodycheck Gallery is a fascinating case of collective false memory. Ask five Germans over the age of 40 to describe a specific "gallery" episode, and you will get six different answers.

The gallery is designed to show realistic, unedited bodies to help readers understand that diversity in physical appearance is normal. It has evolved significantly over several decades:

The magazine would then publish a selection of these bodies in a multi-page spread. A typical "Dr. Sommer Bodycheck" would feature: