Dr. Christine Grant Taught Us the Value of Teamwork
“She shined as an individual. But her true contribution was leveling the playing field for all women in sports. “ — In remembrance of Dr. Christine Grant, 1936 – 2021 In December 2021, the Iowa Women’s Foundation lost a dear friend, Dr. Christine Grant. Christine was a pioneer and true supporter of women’s equality. Throughout
$100K in Grants!
Eleven organizations have been awarded $100,000 collectively for programs addressing one of six identified barriers to women and girls’ economic self-sufficiency: Employment, Child Care, Housing, Education/Training, Transportation, and Mentoring. Grantees were announced at the annual luncheon on October 7th at the Hyatt Regency Coralville. Those receiving an award are: Boys and Girls Clubs of the
Watch the 2021 OVATION Unveiling Ceremonies
2021 Online Unveiling Receptions Click to watch the Iowa City Area unveiling Click to watch the Des Moines Area unveiling Click to watch the Cedar Rapids Area unveiling Click to watch the Cedar Falls-Waterloo Area unveiling 2022 Ovation Join us for the 9th edition of OVATION unveilings, where we’ll shine a spotlight on the Iowa
IWF’s President Named to the Governor’s Child Care Task Force
On March 10th, Governor Kim Reynolds launched a task force to confront Iowa’s child care crisis. The 17 member task force includes the Iowa Women’s Foundation’s President/CEO, Dawn Oliver Wiand. Along with the task force, over $13 million will be dedicated the to mission of providing accessible child care to many more Iowans. When asked
IWF Celebrates Black History in Iowa: Pauline Brown Humphrey
Pauline Brown Humphrey was the first African American woman to own and operate a certified cosmetology school in Iowa and the first certified to teach cosmetology in the state. Myrise Pauline Robinson Brown Humphrey was born in Des Moines, Iowa. She attended the Madam C.J. Walker school in Chicago in 1935. Upon returning to Des
IWF Celebrates Black History in Iowa: Minnie Robinson London
Minnie Belle Robinson was born in 1862, in Lexington, Missouri. In 1891, 23 year old Minnie arrived in Muchakinock, Iowa with her sister, to teach grammar school. She also married miner turned businessman William Henry London that same year. London taught at the 5th street and 11th street elementary schools in Muchakinock. After moving to
IWF Celebrates Black History in Iowa: Ann Toney
We want to thank the African American Museum of Iowa for providing these African American women who made an impact in Iowa. Cecile Cooper and Ann Toney both owned and operated beauty salons in Davenport and were tireless fighters for civil rights for minorities living in Davenport and the Quad Cities area. Cecile Cooper was
IWF Celebrates Black History in Iowa: Vivian Smith and Murda Beason
During the mid-1910s, the women’s suffrage movement was on the rise in Iowa thanks in large part to women’s clubs. The clubs consisted of middle-class, educated women with time to devote to social causes, education, and philanthropy. African American women also took part in their own clubs. One of the largest was the Federation of
IWF Celebrates Black History in Iowa: Grace Allen Jones
This is a studio portrait of educator and advocate Grace Morris Allen Jones. Born in Keokuk, Iowa, in 1876, Jones was raised in Burlington, Iowa. she received her teacher’s certificate from the Normal School in Burlington and taught in Missouri for three years. Jones returned to Burlington, and established the Grace M. Allen Industrial School
IWF Celebrates Black History in Iowa: Gertrude Rush
Gertrude Elzora Durden Rush was born in Navasota, Texas, the daughter of a Baptist minister. The Durden’s were part of the Exoduster movement in late 1870s settling in Oskaloosa, Kansas. Between 1898 and 1907, Rush was a teacher in Kansas, in governmental schools in Indian Territory (later Oklahoma), and in Des Moines, Iowa. After marrying
