Overcoming Discrimination & Adversity Archives - Page 2 of 6

Overcoming Discrimination & Adversity

Rachael Denhollander’s exclusive interview with Fearless: Advice to businesses, other organizations on how to prevent and respond to sexual abuse

Individuals and institutions have become more aware of how to support survivors of sexual abuse — but major mistakes remain common, an advocate says. Rachael Denhollander was the first woman to talk publicly about being sexually abused by Larry Nassar, a Michigan State University physician who was also the women’s Read more…

By Nicole Grundmeier, 8 months8 months ago

Advocacy & Community Involvement

The Beacon expands its mission of assisting women to those who’ve just been arrested

It’s still dark outside when women from the Beacon retrieve bicycles parked at the front of the building or set out for the bus stop, ready to pedal or ride to their jobs that morning and, hopefully, into new lives. The staff at the Beacon sees the effects of complex Read more…

By Nicole Grundmeier, 9 months9 months ago

Health Care

How to help someone who has survived sexual violence: Start by believing

(Editor’s note: Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to publicly accuse former U.S. national team doctor Larry Nassar of sexual abuse, is the Chrysalis Foundation’s 2023 “Inspired” keynote speaker. As part of Fearless’ coverage of Denhollander’s Nov. 13 visit to Central Iowa, I interviewed two Iowa women whose jobs involve making Read more…

By Nicole Grundmeier, 9 months9 months ago

Confidence

Heidi Ernst finds new meaning in life after a shark attacked her

I’ve always believed as a physical therapist, I need to set a good example for my patients. I’ve always been active. I’ve gone to the Y, lifted weights, swam. I swam competitively in Masters for a long time. I had started doing some powerlifting. Years ago, I had wanted to Read more…

By Emily Barske Wood, 9 months9 months ago

Advocacy & Community Involvement

Monique Scarlett thinks Unity in the Community could be a blueprint for peaceful relationships nationwide

Growing up, I remember we couldn’t go into certain places, certain stores. Especially downtown, if you went into a store, you were followed the entire time you were there. Then finally if you had not purchased anything … of course, as kids, we had this “wish list,” we always called Read more…

By Nicole Grundmeier, 9 months9 months ago

Overcoming Discrimination & Adversity

Rachael Denhollander’s advocacy journey will bring her to Central Iowa

The first woman to publicly accuse former U.S. national team doctor Larry Nassar of sexual abuse is the Chrysalis Foundation’s 2023 ‘Inspired’ keynote speaker. Almost six years later, she is still leading armies of survivors. Rachael Denhollander, a lawyer, former gymnast, writer and homeschooling mom of four, was pivotal in Read more…

By Nicole Grundmeier, 10 months10 months ago

Government & Policy

Iowa’s gender-balance law may be on the chopping block

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, 10 months10 months ago

Overcoming Discrimination & Adversity

Refugee advocate Azaree Shakshak: ‘You have to put yourself in uncomfortable situations to be comfortable’

Pictured above: Azaree Shakshak, center, assists Serenity Jackson and Michelle Gill at Oakridge Neighborhood’s Summer Blast Camp on Aug. 3 at Edmunds Elementary School in Des Moines. Photo by Duane Tinkey. Editor’s note: With a new school year starting, Fearless decided to profile a college student who is already empowering other Read more…

By Nicole Grundmeier, 11 months11 months ago

Guest Opinion

Krista Tedrow: Magic prevails after childhood abuse and workaholism

Editor’s note: Adverse Childhood Experiences, also known as ACES, are traumatic events that happen to a person ages 0 to 17. Examples include physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, the death of a parent, the incarceration of a parent, witnessing a parent being abused, and more. The higher a person’s ACES score, the Read more…

By Nicole Grundmeier, 11 months11 months ago

Confidence

Leading Fearlessly: Isn’t it about time to challenge imposter syndrome?

By Suzanna de Baca, president and CEO, Business Publications Corp. Not long ago, a friend who is the president of a large financial institution confessed to me that despite her education and success, for most of her career she has felt like a phony. It was only relatively recently that Read more…

By Nicole Grundmeier, 1 year1 year ago