Barbara (Drake) Dickerman was born on May 28, 1927 in Aurora, Illinois to Fenton and Helen (Moore) Drake.

Throughout her life, Dickerman was active in community and political organizations, focusing particularly on civil rights, gender equality, and fair housing. She volunteered extensively throughout the 1960s and 1970s with organizations including the League of Women Voters, the Springfield Housing Development Corporation, MOVE, Inc., the Junior League of Springfield, and the Land of Lincoln Girl Scout Council. In 1978 she was a leading organizer of Access to Housing, and from 1979 to 1981 she served as president of the League of Women Voters in Springfield. She then acted as that organization’s chief lobbyist to the Illinois General Assembly for two years, after which she joined Sangamon State University as an admissions counselor. Dickerman additionally served at times as a board member for the School District #186 Foundation, the United Way of Sangamon County, Catholic Charities, NAACP’s Springfield branch, and the Abraham Lincoln Institute.

During her time at Sangamon State University, Dickerman pursued a degree in Political Studies, graduating with her Bachelor of Arts with honors in 1987. In 2008, she was honored with The University of Illinois Alumni Humanitarian Award for her service to the community.

She married Robert Dickerman on June 27, 1953 in Springfield, Illinois, with whom she had four sons. Robert Dickerman passed away on December 24, 2011. Barbara Dickerman passed away on March 7, 2017.