The Business Record’s Women of Influence awards celebrate the work of Central Iowa women who have attained success while helping others along the way. From a variety of career paths and walks of life, they’ve devoted their time to making an impact. They’ve spent countless hours on various initiatives, working Read more…
This coverage is from the Business Record’s annual survey on women’s and gender issues as part of our Fearless initiative. While nonscientific, we believe the results of this questionnaire illustrate current opinions about Iowa women’s equity in and outside of work. Read previous coverage here. We asked: What are the biggest challenges, Read more…
Martha Hulshof’s sister, Miranda, began work as a missionary in Ukraine in 1997. She’s married to a Ukrainian pastor and has lived there permanently with him and their two children since 1999. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Miranda began to help fleeing Ukrainians match with sponsors near her sister Read more…
Compiled by Macey Shofroth and Emily Barske Wood Nearly 500 people, a record number, shared with us their thoughts about the status of gender equity in Iowa. The Business Record has published its annual survey on women’s and gender issues as part of our Fearless initiative for the last several Read more…
By Sarah Noll Wilson “What about the men who are afraid to say the wrong thing?” I was on a podcast recently and talking about ways to build stronger relationships with the team members you serve. The host appreciated my approach and followed up with, “I know a number of 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 home-baked goods and meals. She’s become a staple of farmers Read more…
As told to Emily Barske Wood Tara Geddes grew up in a medical family. Her mom was an obstetrics nurse, and her dad an emergency medical technician. She knew early on that she also aspired to a career in health care – but she had zero desire to ascend to Read more…
Four years ago, the Business Record launched Fearless. Our goal is simple: We want to empower Iowa women to succeed in work and life. Through our weekly e-newsletter, ongoing print features and events, we have worked to live up to our mission. We’ve told countless stories that have both inspired Read more…
BY HOLLY STEVENSON, DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING, OPTIMAE LIFESERVICES Women in the workplace are feeling increasingly included — the last nine years of countrywide research from McKinsey bears this out. Although these hard-earned gains are encouraging, they are also fragile and require continuous and deliberate efforts from all of us Read more…
An excerpt from ‘When My Husband Ran For President and Other Short Stories’ BY RUTH HARKIN Many Iowans may not know that Ruth Harkin was first elected to public office before her husband, former Sen. Tom Harkin. Ruth Harkin was the first woman to become the Story County attorney, and Read more…