By Seeta Mangra-Stubbs, founder and CEO, Whole Damn Woman Please do me a favor. List the things that make you or would make you feel confident in your body, your intellectual abilities, your skills, your family – anything you value. Your list need not be a certain length, and it’s Read more…
By Brooke Westphalen (she/her/hers), development and communications coordinator Editor’s note: Gender-specific language is used in some instances as a reflection of statistics shared and the women-centered focus of the Fearless publication. When possible, “youth” is used to be more inclusive. The author recognizes that not all people who menstruate identify as girls or Read more…
By Barbara Burke, deputy director of athletics, senior women’s administrator at the University of Iowa Women helping women! I am certain most women in leadership positions have either used or heard this phrase. While I am an absolute proponent of women helping women, I like to take it one step Read more…
By Lisa Robb What has gone up more during the pandemic ― your weight or your confidence? The New York Times reported a study that showed people gained an average of about 2 pounds per month during the pandemic. Weight is easy to measure. Confidence, not so much. As a Read more…
By Drew McLellan When I held my infant daughter Kelsey for the first time, I distinctly remember pressing my lips to her forehead and thinking, “I will protect you forever.” I had never done this parenting thing before, and it took me a while to accept that I actually couldn’t protect her Read more…
By Erik Dominguez On May 14, when I was recognized with the Inspiring Advocate for Women Award at the Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa’s Inspiring Women of Iowa event, I walked up to the stage with a thought I couldn’t ignore: I have not always been an advocate for women. Read more…
By Courtney Reyes, One Iowa executive director June always rushes in with rainbows and LGBTQ folks on panels. The One Iowa team is full force in training more people than ever. This influx in June is welcome, but we know that we must continue the conversation of LGBTQ liberation all Read more…
By Iowa Sen. Claire Celsi It’s no secret that despite progress in equalizing gender-based child care roles, women are still primarily responsible for locating and facilitating child care arrangements for their children. When those arrangements fell apart during the pandemic, women were more likely to stay home with kids who Read more…
By Jodi Selby, vice president – senior risk operations and compliance manager; and Jayme Fry, vice president – commercial relationship manager, Bankers Trust When you think about career development or professional development opportunities, what comes to mind? Most often it’s trainings, conferences, professional organizations and master’s programs. But when you Read more…
By Holly Elbert, Partner and Mechanical Engineer, BBS Architects | Engineers If you would have told my 16-year-old self I would be living in Ames and working in Des Moines at 42 years of age, I would have said, “No way!” Growing up in Des Moines, I was convinced I Read more…