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
University of Iowa Women in Business & National Mentoring Month
“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself” – Oprah Winfrey. In 1998 Jennifer Cropper, a Tippie undergraduate, founded The University of Iowa’s Women in Business student organization to address the unique challenges women experience in a male-dominated space. Little did Jennifer know that over the next 20 years, WIB
Meet Our 2021 Grantees
Previous Next Help us celebrate these amazing grant partners across the state of Iowa who are daily working to break down the barriers that keep woman and girls from achieving economic self-sufficency. Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa Smart Girls Location: Polk County Barrier: Education/Training The SMART Girls program strategically focuses on providing academic
LSI’s Refugee and Immigrant Services Train, Empower Child Care Providers
For many parents who arrive in the U.S. as refugees, it is difficult to find quality child care. Families are adjusting to American life and may feel hesitant leaving their child with a stranger who doesn’t speak their language, or is unfamiliar with their culture. Lutheran Services in Iowa’s (LSI) Child Care Development Program trains
IWF to Spearhead Regional Effort to Bolster Women’s Economic Mobility
The Iowa Women’s Foundation (IWF) will lead the state of Iowa as part of a new national effort to support women and girls amidst the financial fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. In June, the Women’s Funding Network (WFN) announced they are launching the Regional Women’s Economic Mobility Hub project to increase the support and resources
