Iowa’s law requiring representation of women in government is in jeopardy, and advocates say that ditching its nearly four-decades-old provisions would be a mistake. The state started in the 1980s requiring that appointments to state boards and commissions result in gender-balanced boards. About 12 years ago the rules were expanded, Read more…
By Nicole Grundmeier How is your employer or your business adapting to potential changes regarding abortion law in Iowa? I would like to hear from you as soon as possible. Please email me: nicolegrundmeier@bpcdm.com. While the Business Record is apolitical, we report on governmental decisions that affect business. Through our Fearless initiative, Read more…
Sometimes it seemed as if Sharon Malheiro was everyone’s mom. “When she died, it felt like, ‘Well, Mom is gone, and we’re not ready to be Mom yet,’” said Des Moines attorney Breanna Young. This is Iowa’s first Pride month without Malheiro, a longtime attorney and activist who was instrumental Read more…
By Emily Kestel, Fearless editor We’ve made it through the first funnel week of the Iowa Legislature, which is the deadline that requires bills to be approved by a committee. Essentially, all bills must be voted out of their respective Senate and House committees and sent to the full chamber. Read more…
Fewer than two-thirds of county and municipal boards are gender-balanced By Emily Kestel, Fearless editor For more than 10 years, Iowa law has required all state, county and municipal boards and commissions to be gender-balanced. It’s the only state to have the requirement for all levels of government. State Sen. Read more…
By Emily Kestel There is a record proportion of Iowa women running for state and federal office this year – barely. Of the 217 candidates running for federal and state legislative office this year, 78 – or 35.94% – are women. In 2020, when the previous record was set, that Read more…
By Emily Kestel, Fearless editor Editor’s note: A leaked draft opinion obtained and published by Politico last week showed that the Supreme Court has voted to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision, the 49-year precedent that protected the constitutional right to abortion. Chief Justice John Roberts has indicated that while the leaked document Read more…
Story by Emily Kestel, graphics by Lauren Burt Last year, Fearless published a two-part examination of the representation of women involved in politics in the state. One story looked at the gender balance law for civic boards and commissions, and the other looked at those serving at the state and Read more…
By Emily Kestel, Fearless editor Now that the latter half of the 89th Iowa General Assembly has officially been called into session, let’s take a look at what’s on the docket in the realm of women’s and gender issues. To preface, it’s worth mentioning that every issue is a women’s Read more…
As told to Emily Blobaum Aime Wichtendahl became the first openly trans elected official in Iowa when she was elected to the Hiawatha City Council in 2015. This interview, which has been formatted to be entirely in her own words, has been edited and condensed for clarity. If you were Read more…