Early in my career, I received a backhanded compliment that highlighted the pervasive stereotypes women face in the workplace. My leader praised my assertiveness, expressing surprise that a woman could possess such a quality. Ironically, at that point in my Read more…
Host Keesha Ward opened the 2024 My City My Health Conference with a request from the audience: Don’t just write down what you learn here today. Commit to taking at least one action to improve health equity. Health equity was Read more…
A report released Tuesday by the Iowa Women’s Foundation and Common Sense Institute Iowa (CSI Iowa) analyzed the results of a new child care pilot program and projected the program’s future economic impacts if expanded statewide. The Childcare Solutions Funds Read more…
When Carol Mefford began her nursing career 58 years ago, nurses didn’t use gloves at patients’ bedsides. It was considered rude. She graduated from college the same time Lyndon B. Johnson passed Medicare. She worked as an oncology nurse at the Read more…
Hope Ministries will open a new 100-bed center this fall that will greatly expand the organization’s abilities to serve women experiencing homelessness in Des Moines. The new facility has space for amenities the organization hasn’t been able to provide before. Read more…
By Macey Shofroth, Fearless staff writer Mary Harris had only been selling her food at Home Slice for two weeks before her signature cinnamon rolls became the talk of the region. Harris owns Taste of Comfort, through which she sells Read more…
NAWBO Iowa honors exemplary local women business owners at 2024 Celebration of Excellence One day last month, I had a typical day of meetings and errands: I had a coffee meeting at a local establishment; popped into a neighborhood salon Read more…
In the mid-1980s, Julie Gammack walked into a record store on Ingersoll Avenue in search of an idea. At the time, she wrote a daily column for the Des Moines Register. Filling 8.75 newspaper inches a day with something new and interesting Read more…
BY KATHERINE HARRINGTON The notion of “likability” is a double-edged sword that countless women face in their professional lives. As a woman who has navigated various leadership roles, I can attest that the likability challenge is both frustrating and deeply Read more…
Roxanne Conlin may best be known for championing several civil rights causes in her law practice and suing institutions for various forms of discrimination, particularly advocating for women. She’s won cases giving more rights to pregnant workers, survivors of rape Read more…