In the last week of October, 125 families visited the Urbandale Food Pantry for support for the first time. Funding cuts and the recent federal government shutdown have led to record-breaking numbers of visitors, said pantry executive director Patty Sneddon-Kisting. “We have our anytime room with food from our food Read more…
We are excited to announce our Fearless podcast has officially launched! Fearless is a statewide initiative with a goal to empower Iowa women to succeed in work and life. We are strong believers that women’s issues are everyone’s issues, and we aim to cover gender equity with an inviting and Read more…
As a Latina immigrant working in construction, Perlla Deluca is no stranger to being the “only” in a room. Deluca is the owner and CEO of Southeast Constructors. Since joining the industry 28 years ago, she’s worked all aspects of construction and experienced all kinds of reception when she walks Read more…
Angela Franklin believes in remaining open to unexpected opportunities. It’s been a staple of her career. She planned to become a clinical psychologist and haveher own mental health practice. After completing her undergraduate degree from Furman University and her doctorate in clinical psychology at Emory University, she took a position Read more…
As told to Macey Shofroth | Photo by Duane Tinkey Sylvia Nemmers was born totally blind. At age 4, she had an experimental surgery at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics to give her a little bit of vision. Shortly after, she began attending the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving Read more…
As told to Macey Shofroth | Photo by Duane Tinkey Shanna Sieck and her husband, Curtis, decided she’d stay home with their children after they were born. Her role of caregiver took on a whole new meaning when her middle son, Mason, was diagnosed with Gardner Syndrome at age 2. Read more…
As told to Macey Shofroth | Photo by Duane Tinkey Lalonyo AnyaCeng was born in a refugee camp in Uganda. Her parents had fled conflict in South Sudan while her mother was pregnant with her. She spent the first 16 years of her life in refugee camps. Her family was Read more…
As told to Macey Shofroth | Photo by Duane Tinkey The timing of Clarissa Chun’s journey to wrestling couldn’t have been more perfect. She took after her older brother and competed in judo for years. Then Hawaii, where she grew up, became the first state to sanction wrestling as a Read more…
As told to Macey Shofroth | Photo by Duane Tinkey When Jennifer Garside’s husband looked out their window the afternoon of May 21, 2024, there was barely enough wind to move the leaves. But just two blocks over, in their town of Greenfield, Iowa, an EF-4 tornado tore a destructive Read more…
As told to Macey Shofroth | Photo by Duane Tinkey Aime Wichtendahl made history when she was elected to the Hiawatha City Council and became the first openly transgender elected official in Iowa in 2015. She made history again when she was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives and Read more…