" To empower Iowa women to exercise their rights, engage in public discourse, and make their voices heard at all levels of government "

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-north-central-states

Campaign 101 - September 30, 2023

In Coon Rapids, IA, Iowa women learned about being a candidate or helping a campaign. They networked with others who are engaged and want to participate in making a change.

Women Who Made A Difference

Books Of Interest

The Covenant Of Water

Abraham Verghese

Attack From Within

Barbara McQuade

Becoming Madam Secretary

Stephanie Dray

Letters To The Editor

Women Defying Boundaries

Features

Handouts to accompany the TAXES, and GOVERNING for IOWANS Zoom session are below:

Kent Scheib’s handout             Randy Baurer’s handout

Resources

THINKING OF RUNNING FOR A PUBLIC SERVICE POSITION?

Iowa Congressional Districts

CHAIR

Mary Weaver

mweaver235@gmail.com

Mary Weaver was elected leader of the Democratic Iowa Women’s Caucus. She ran for this office to provide a training ground and opportunities for women to use their voices to advance issues that are needed values for all Iowans. Mary is a retired public health nurse/administrator. She and her husband live on a farm in central Iowa near Rippey. She has two adult children, and three grandchildren.

VICE CHAIR

Nedra Conrad

nc11201950@gmail.com

Nedra is from Fort Dodge and has served as the Webster County Democratic Treasurer for more than 5 years. She serves as an Ambassador from the Iowa Democratic Party to Pocahontas, Calhoun, Humboldt, and Webster Counties. She has three grown children two of whom ran for local offices and won. She retired from MidAmerican Energy where she served as the Fort Dodge Customer Office and Meter Reading Supervisor encompassing the area from Gowrie to Algona, and Clarion to Gilmore City.

board member

Shannon Brisbois

shannon.brisbois@gmail.com

I grew up in Persia, Iowa until I graduated high school. I moved to Cedar Rapids, IA and lived there for 10 years. While there, I managed a daycare and worked as an associate in the Linn Mar district. I moved to Des Moines in 2015 and worked in insurance, service industry, and politics. I have always been involved in politics, volunteering for Obama, Axne, and Bernie. I was volunteering for Pete Buttigieg when they asked me to apply, that’s where my official political career began.

I got involved with hopes of being able to continue helping and empowering people to create positive changes in their communities. Growing up in rural Iowa, then moving to a city, I realized how little attention rural Iowans receive. My goal is to help create a community where we all feel important, heard, and empowered.

board member

Barb Wheelock

bjwheels@gmail.com

Barb Wheelock lives in Ames and is a retired physical therapist. She is active with the Story
Democrats and helped organize and was active in All 39, a grassroots activist group working to promote Democratic candidates and democratic values in the fourth congressional district. She has worked on campaigns for candidate for hospital board, county supervisor, house representatives, and congress. She also serves on the board for the League of Women Voters Ames & Story County.

board member

Elizabeth Wearin "Twink"

ewearin@gmail.com

Elizabeth Wearin. Also called Twink her whole life. Retired elementary school teacher and principal, district level administrator, mostly in Nebraska. Returned to our family farm near Red Oak 15 years ago. Secretary of Montgomery County Democrats.

board member

Eileen Beran

eileen.beran@gmail.com

I became interested in policy-level change when volunteering with a food rescue nonprofit, because I saw needs and wanted to help address them at the root. My 2022 run for Iowa House didn’t result in a win, but I’m staying engaged and hope to encourage and empower others, especially rural Iowa women, that they have a voice and can make a difference.  

Currently retired, I’ve been a writer, editor, and graphic artist. I have a BA in English Literature from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where I’m from. My husband Bill and I have a married son and two delightful grandsons in nearby Iowa City. 

board member

Susan Stoefen

susanstoefen@fbcom.net

Susan Stoefen, (she/her) lives in rural Scott County, near New Liberty. She is married to Jerry, a retired union plumber/pipefitter. They have 2 sons, and 2 grandchildren. Susan is a retired accountant. Growing up on a farm, she learned hard work and hard times during the farm crisis. In 2000, Jerry and Susan fulfilled a dream to move out to the country when they purchased the property they currently live on. The couple has been returning the land to prairie, wetlands, and an oak savanna using conservation practices. Susan is the Treasurer and member of the Executive Board for the Scott County Democratic Party. She is an active member of Iowa CCI. Jerry and Susan enjoy fishing, bicycling, hiking, gardening, and visiting family. Susan is passionately working to make Iowa a place that everyone feels accepted, loved, and able to live their best life.

board member

Carrie Larson

carrielarson9070@gmail.com

Carrie Larson is from Charles City and is the vice chair of the Floyd County Democrats. In the past she was chair of the Butler County Democrats. She was precinct captain and volunteer for both of Bernie Sanders Presidential campaigns. Now she is a volunteer for the Sarah Corkery For Congress campaign. She is married and has four children and nine grandchildren. She is excited to be on the board of the Iowa Women’s Caucus.

board member

Tricia Rivers

trivers@greatplainsaction.org

Trisha Rivers is enrolled with the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska with ancestral ties to the Pima, Meskwaki, and Ojibwe. She currently resides in Sioux City. She is the Siouxland Project Director for Great Plains Action Society, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization and serves as the Native Representative for Sioux City’s first Inclusive Committee. Trisha advocates for truth, equality, and justice, especially for under served communities.

board member

Connie Boyd

boydla1216@gmail.com

Connie Boyd is a retired nursing instructor/administrator. Connie would like to be more involved in the political process. Connie worked for Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge for the majority of her working years. Connie moved to Jefferson in 2019 to be closer to family/granddaughters.