Iowa’s one of only six states in the nation that have never sent a woman to Congress, but a group holding meetings around the state aims to change that. Director Leann Burnette says “Iowa’s Women in Public Policy” held a meeting in Davenport last week and will hold another this week in Cedar Rapids.She says it’s a bipartisan group to get more women involved and elected. There are far more men than women in all kinds of public offices around Iowa, says Brunette.The primary goal is to run for state legislature since redistricting has created some open seats. Before they can run for office, they need the idea, and some experience, and Brunette says the “Women in Public Policy Campaign” is planting the seeds.Iowa’s one of just three states that never sent a woman to congress or governor’s seat, so this movement hopes to create a “pool of talent.” Brunette says Iowa’s 27th in the nation when it comes to women in legislative seats. She says if women aren’t comfortable yet with the idea of running for office, they can “get their feet wet” by helping with another campaign. Upcoming meetings will focus on women getting into politics in Council Bluffs, Waterloo Cedar Falls, and Sioux City. For more information, call Brunette at 515-440-2623 or contact a local office of either political party.
