Iowa Women's Hall of Fame

Mamie Eisenhower

The Iowa Women's Hall of Fame was created to acknowledge the accomplishments of female role models associated with the U.S. state of Iowa, and is an endeavor of the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women (ICSW). In 1972, the state of Iowa created the ICSW to oversee women's issues, with Cristine Swanson Wilson as its first chair. During Women's History Month every March, the ICSW sponsors a public "Write Women Back into History Essay Contest".^[1] Since the Hall of Fame's beginnings in 1975, four annual nominees are inducted by the ICSW and the Governor of Iowa in a public ceremony. The event is held on Women's Equality Day, which commemorates the August 26, 1920 ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution that gave women the right to vote. The honorees are nominated by the public via online forms available on the ICSW website.^[2] The ICSW also created the annual "Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice" in 1982. Wilson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.^[3]

The initial inductees were Iowa's first female Secretary of State Ola Babcock Miller, who created the Iowa State Patrol; president and founding member of Iowa Woman Suffrage Association, Amelia Bloomer; president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, and founder of the League of Women Voters, Carrie Chapman Catt; and Annie Turner Wittenmyer who founded the Women's Christian Temperance Union, formed an aid society to support Union Army soldiers during the Civil War, as well as helped to pass pension legislation for nurses in that same war. Catt was the first inductee.

In the ensuing years, the Hall of Fame ranks were joined by women from all walks of life. As of the 2011 inductee ceremonies, there have been 148 women inducted.^[4] The list of inductees includes civil rights pioneers, global issues leaders, community volunteer workers, elected officials, artists, the medical profession and a large cornucopia of contributions by the state's women. Two First Ladies of the United States, Lou Henry Hoover and Mamie Eisenhower were added in 1987 and 1993 respectively. Environmental preservationist Gladys B. Black made the list in 1985. Mycologist Lois Hattery Tiffany was added in 1991 for her career of educating the public about mushrooms. The military is represented by Women's Army Corps veteran Rosa Cunningham in 1980 and by former United States Army Judge Advocate General officer Phyllis Propp Fowle in 2001. Vietnam War era anti-war activist Peg Mullen was inducted in 1997. Pulitzer Prize winner Susan Glaspell was a 1976 inductee.Hualing Nieh Engle, who in 1976 was co-nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, became a Hall of Fame inductee in 2008. Cattle breeder Mary Garst was added in 1981. Several women farmers are on the list, and added in 2001was attorney Phyllis Josephine Hughes who had also been honored by Pope John Paul II for her legal assistance to the farm community.

Inductees

Iowa Women's Hall of Fame

Name	Image	Birth–Death	Year	Area of achievement	Ref(s)
Adams, Mary NewburyMary Newbury Adams		(1837–1901)	1981	Founded Northern Iowa Suffrage Association, founded Iowa Federation of Women's Clubs	[5]
Addington, JuliaJulia Addington		(1829–1875)	2010	Elected 1869 Superintendent of Schools in Mitchell County, first woman in Iowa elected to office	[6]
Aldrich, Bess StreeterBess Streeter Aldrich		(1881–1954)	1998	Author	[7]
Anderson, Julia FaltinsonJulia Faltinson Anderson		(b. 1919)	1993	Global community worker, included involvement with the Peace Corps and UNESCO	[8]
Anderson, Peg StairPeg Stair Anderson		(b. 1928)	1982	State chair Iowa Women's Political Caucus, served on numerous boards and commissions	[9]
Anderson, Ruth BlufordRuth Bluford Anderson		(b. 1921)	1982	Author, university professor, civic leader	[10]
Axel, Joan UrennJoan Urenn Axel		(b. 1943)	2008	Lawyer, civic leader; founding member of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women in Politics	[11]
Bedell, VirginiaVirginia Bedell		(1895–1975)	1983	First United States female serving on a regularly appointed parole board	[12]
Benson, Mildred WirtMildred Wirt Benson		(1905–2002)	1994	Children's author who helped develop Nancy Drew books; pilot and journalist	[13]
Beran, Janice AnnJanice Ann Beran			1998	Educator, community and church leader	[14]
Berg, Mary JayleneMary Jaylene Berg		(b. 1950)	1999	Professor of pharmacy, advocate of women in health careers and pharmacy	[15]
Binford, JessieJessie Binford		(1876–1966)	1977	Juvenile Protection Association leadership, social worker and advocate for Hull House	[16]
Black, Gladys B.Gladys B. Black		(b. 1909)	1985	Ornithologist and environmental preservationist	[17]
Bloomer, Amelia JenksAmelia Jenks Bloomer		(1818–1894)	1975	President and founding member of Iowa Woman Suffrage Association	[18]
Boatwright, Barbara MoormanBarbara Moorman Boatwright		(b. 1924)	2008	Worked to help women run for political office; helped bring global peacemakers to Iowa; Boatwright Political Action Award established in her name by the Iowa Association of Social Workers	[19]
Brown, Sue M. WilsonSue M. Wilson Brown		(1877–1941)	1995	Civil rights advocate	[20]
Bruner, Charlotte HughesCharlotte Hughes Bruner		(1917–1999)	1997	Pioneer for African women writers	[21]
Buchanan, Fannie R.Fannie R. Buchanan		(1875–1957)	1984	Music promoter and organizer	[22]
Campbell, BonnieBonnie Campbell		(b. 1948)	2002	32nd Iowa Attorney General	[23]
Campos, Mary E. DominguesMary E. Domingues Campos		(b. 1929)	1995	Human rights advocate	[24]
Catt, Carrie ChapmanCarrie Chapman Catt		(1859–1947)	1975	President of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, founder of the League of Women Voters	[25]
Chapman, Mary Louise SconiersMary Louise Sconiers Chapman		(b. 1948)	2013	First woman to be the executive dean at Des Moines Area Community College	[26]
Clark, Betty Jean "Beje" WalkerBetty Jean "Beje" Walker Clark		(b. 1920)	2000	Public service, Beje Clark Residentia Center bears her name	[27]
Clarke, Mary FrancesMary Frances Clarke		(1803–1887)	1984	Founder of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary	[28]
Coggeshall, Mary JaneMary Jane Coggeshall		(1836–1937)	1990	Carrie Chapman Catt nicknamed Coggeshall "The Mother of Woman's Suffrage in Iowa"	[29]
Conlin, Judith A.Judith A. Conlin			2012	Educator and co-founder of the Iowa Women's Studies Association	[30]
Conlin, Roxanne BartonRoxanne Barton Conlin		(b. 1944)	1981	U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, Assistant Attorney General of Iowa	[31]
Corning, Joy ColeJoy Cole Corning		(b. 1932)	2004	44th Lieutenant Governor of Iowa	[32]
Cothorn, Marguerite EstersMarguerite Esters Cothorn		(1909–1999)	1986	African American musician and civic leader	[33]
Cunningham, RosaRosa Cunningham			1980	Served in the Women's Army Corps in World War II, women's rights advocate	[34]
Cutler, Lynn GermainLynn Germain Cutler		(b.1938)	1998	Political worker and organizer	[35]
Davidson, Jolly Ann HortonJolly Ann Horton Davidson			1987	Educator, member of various public broadcasting boards and committees	[36]
Davis, Evelyn K. ScottEvelyn K. Scott Davis			1983	Advocate early childhood education	[37]
Day, JacquelineJacqueline Day		(1918–2002)	1978	Civic leader, public relations officer for Veterans Administration, part of Congressional fact finding team to Vietnam during war	[38]
Dieken, GertrudeGertrude Dieken		(1910–2002)	1995	Economist, journalist	[39]
Delworth, UrsulaUrsula Delworth		(1934–2000)	2001	Psychologist, academician	[40]
Doderer, MinnetteMinnette Doderer		(b. 1923)	1979	Iowa House of Representatives, advocate for women's rights	[41]
Dunkel, Nancy A.Nancy A. Dunkel		(b. 1955)	2011	Banking industry, mentor to women in business	[42]
Edmunds, A. LillianA. Lillian Edmunds		(1892–1955)	1988	African American advocate for children and youth	[43]
Eichjacker, LoisLois Eichjacker		(b. 1932)	1994	Advocate for disadvantaged, advocate for economic development	[44]
Eisenhower, Mamie DoudMamie Doud Eisenhower		(1896–1979)	1993	First Lady of the United States	[45]
Engle, Hualing NiehHualing Nieh Engle		(b. 1925)	2008	Novelist, poet, nominated (with her husband)for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976	[46]
Evans, Mary AnnMary Ann Evans		(b. 1993)	2004	Co-founder Iowa State University's International Women in Science and Engineering, and ISU Program for Women in Science and Engineering	[47]
Everett, Beverly GeorgeBeverly George Everett		(1926–2001)	1983	Advocate for women's equality	[48]
Eyerly, JeanetteJeanette Eyerly		(1908–2008)	2006	Young adult fiction writer	[49]
Findlay, Rosa Maria Escudé deRosa Maria Escudé de Findlay		(b. 1936)	1999	Latino rights advocate	[50]
Findley, Diana L.Diana L. Findley		(b. 1948)	2003	Established Iowa CareGivers Association	[51]
Fleming, Merle WilnaMerle Wilna Fleming		(1926–2006)	1990	Civil rights and education reform	[52]
Follon, Sue EllenSue Ellen Follon		(1942–1998)	2002	Executive director Iowa Commission on Status of Women	[53]
Fowle, Phyllis L. ProppPhyllis L. Propp Fowle		(1908–2000)	2001	First female in the United States Army to serve as an officer with the Judge Advocate General, and the only female in that position deployed overseas in World War II	[54]
Fowler, Gwendolyn WilsonGwendolyn Wilson Fowler		(1907–1997)	1987	First licensed African American woman pharmacist in Iowa	[55]
Francis, May E.May E. Francis		(1880–1968)	2003	Educator and author of Jim Bowie's Lost Mine	[56]
Furgerson, Betty JeanBetty Jean Furgerson			1990	Advocate for leadership skills, human rights, civil rights	[57]
Gaines, Ruth AnnRuth Ann Gaines		(b. 1947)	2007	Educator, created Sisters for Success mentoring program. Inductee of National Teachers Hall of Fame and Iowa African American Hall of Fame	[58]
Garst, MaryMary Garst		(b. 1928)	1981	Cattle breeder, state director Iowa Beef Improvement Assn, president Iowa Simmental Cattle Assn, served on many organizations, including League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood of Iowa, and Iowa Children's and Family Services	[59]
Glanton, Willie StevensonWillie Stevenson Glanton			1986	First African American woman elected to the Iowa State Legislature	[60]
Glaspell, SusanSusan Glaspell		(1876–1948)	1976	1931 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Alison's House	[61]
Grant, Christine H. B.Christine H. B. Grant		(b. 1936)	2006	University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame, Athlete and athletic director, University of Iowa	[62]
Grefe, MaryMary Grefe		(b. 1928)	1980	Educator, consultant	[63]
Griffin, Edna M.Edna M. Griffin		(1909–2000)	1985	1948 State of Iowa v. Katz, civil rights landmark ruling	[64]
Hammond, Johnnie WrightJohnnie Wright Hammond		(b. 1932)	2005	Politician, civic leader	[65]
Hardman, ReneeRenee Hardman			2014	Owner of the human resources business Hardman Consulting	[66]
Harper, VirginiaVirginia Harper		(1929–1997)	1992	African American pioneer of integration	[67]
Harvat, Emma J.Emma J. Harvat		(1870–1949)	2007	Pioneer in government service; Emma J. Harvat and Mary E. Stach House is on the NRHP in Johnson County	[68]
Hayden, AdaAda Hayden		(1884–1950)	2007	Botanist who added 10,000 specimens to the state herbarium	[69]
Henderson, Helen BrownHelen Brown Henderson			1992	Advocate for the mentally challenged	[70]
Hernandez, Teresa MarieTeresa Marie Hernandez		(b. 1956)	2012	Director of the Chrysalis Foundation	[71]
Hill, Nancy MariaNancy Maria Hill		(1833–1919)	1989	Civil War nurse who became a doctor; advocated for pregnant women and children	[72]
Hills, Cora BusseyCora Bussey Hills		(1858–1924)	1976	Helped organize the Iowa Child Welfare Association	[73]
Hilton, Helen LeBaronHelen LeBaron Hilton		(1910–1993)	1983	Public service	[74]
Hogrefe, PearlPearl Hogrefe		(1889–1977)	1982	Scholar, author, educator	[75]
Hoover, Lou HenryLou Henry Hoover		(1874–1944)	1987	First Lady of the United States	[76]
Houghton, DorothyDorothy Houghton		(1890–1972)	1978	Director of the Office of Refugees, Migratory and Voluntary Assistance during the Eisenhower Administration	[77]
Hughes, Phyllis JosephinePhyllis Josephine Hughes		(b. 1912)	2001	Honored by Pope John Paul II for legal aid to farmers; Democratic Party activist; novelist	[78]
Jones, Mabel LossingMabel Lossing Jones		(1878–1978)	1991	Educator spent her career teaching in India as the request of the Methodist Episcopal Church	[79]
Jordan, Alice YostAlice Yost Jordan		(b. 1916)	2002	Musical composer	[80]
Judge, PattyPatty Judge		(b. 1943)	2013	46th Lieutenant Governor of Iowa and Secretary of Agriculture for Iowa	[81]
Kerber, Linda K.Linda K. Kerber		(b. 1940)	2009	Historian	[82]
Kramer, Mary E.Mary E. Kramer		(b. 1940)	2009	Iowa State Senator	[83]
LaBlanc, BrendaBrenda LaBlanc		(b. 1928)	2005	Advocate for low-income needy	[84]
Lawther, Anna B.Anna B. Lawther		(1872–1957)	1985	Advocate for voting rights, women's education	[85]
Le Sueur, MeridelMeridel Le Sueur		(1900–1996)	1996	Writer	[86]
Lee, MabelMabel Lee		(1886–1985)	1979	Physical education	[87]
Liffring-Zug Bourret, JoanJoan Liffring-Zug Bourret		(b. 1929)	1996	Photo journalist who documented 1950s civil rights movement in Cedar Rapids	[88]
Lloyd-Jones, Jean HallJean Hall Lloyd-Jones		(b. 1929)	2003	Iowa Senate, Iowa House of Representatives	[89]
Lummer, Twila ParkerTwila Parker Lummer			1988	Advocate of care and education for pregnant teenagers	[90]
Lundby, MaryMary Lundby		(1948–2009)	2010	Iowa State Senator	[91]
Mack, Barbara MarieBarbara Marie Mack		(1952–2012)	2013	Journalism professor at Iowa State University; first female corporate secretary and general counsel for the Des Moines Register and Tribune	[92]
Mansfield, ArabellaArabella Mansfield		(1846–1911)	1980	First female lawyer in the United States	[93]
McCormick-Ohnemus, Adeline LavonneAdeline Lavonne McCormick-Ohnemus		(1921–1996)	2009	Osteopath, rural doctor and county Medical Examiner	[94]
McGhee, Jacqueline EasleyJacqueline Easley McGhee			2011	Community activist	[95]
Miller, Ola BabcockOla Babcock Miller		(1872–1937)	1975	First female Iowa Secretary of State; instituted the Iowa State Patrol; Ola Babcock Miller Building named in her honor	[96]
Mullen, Margaret "Peg"Margaret "Peg" Mullen		(1917–2009)	1997	Vietnam War era anti-war activist	[97]
Murphy, Marilyn O.Marilyn O. Murphy			1988	Volunteerism; civic leader	[98]
Murray, Alice Van WertAlice Van Wert Murray		(b. 1912)	1985	Farmer, community leadership, National Safety Council, Associated Country Women of the World Conference, Living History Farms	[99]
Murray, Janette StevensonJanette Stevenson Murray		(1874–1967)	1996	Educator, voting rights for women, civic leader	[100]
Nash, Ruth ColeRuth Cole Nash		(b. 1922)	2004	Social activist, patron of the arts	[101]
Nelson, Charlotte BowersCharlotte Bowers Nelson		(b. 1931)	2011	Civic leader	[102]
Noun, Louise RosenfieldLouise Rosenfield Noun		(1908–2002)	1981	Community activist, patron of the arts	[103]
O'Brien, DeniseDenise O'Brien		(b. 1949)	2000	Organic farmer; founder of Women, Food and Agriculture Network, represented farmers at the United Nations, serves on many coalitions representing rural women	[104]
O'Keefe, MaryMary O'Keefe			2014	Former vice president and marketing chief at Principal Financial Group	[105]
Odell, Mary Jane NevilleMary Jane Neville Odell		(b. 1923)	1979	Broadcaster	[106]
Parker, Jessie M.Jessie M. Parker		(1879–1959)	1986	Educator	[107]
Paul, Dorothy Marion BoulerisDorothy Marion Bouleris Paul			2006	Human rights	[108]
Pederson, Sally J.Sally J. Pederson		(b. 1951)	2004	45th Lieutenant Governor of Iowa	[109]
Pellegreno, Ann Dearing HoltgrenAnn Dearing Holtgren Pellegreno		(b. 1937)	2001	Musician	[110]
Pendray, CarolynCarolyn Pendray		(1881–1958)	1978	Iowa House of Representatives; first female in the state legislature	[111]
Petersen, Mary LouiseMary Louise Petersen			1984	Volunteerism	[112]
Putnam, Mary Louise DuncanMary Louise Duncan Putnam		(1832–1903)	1991	helped develop the Davenport Academy of Sciences	[113]
Riley, Glenda GatesGlenda Gates Riley			1990	Historian, women's advocate	[114]
Rosenfeld, LouiseLouise Rosenfeld		(b. 1906)	1979	USDAHome economics extension agent	[115]
Rubenstein, Eve SchmollEve Schmoll Rubenstein			1992	Broadcaster	[116]
Ruedy, ShirleyShirley Ruedy		(b. 1936)	2002	Journalist	[117]
Rush, Gertrude DurdenGertrude Durden Rush		(1880–1962)	1994	First African American female lawyer in Iowa	[118]
Russell, Marilyn A.Marilyn A. Russell		(1932–2007)	2008	Executive Director of Visiting Nurses in Des Moines	[119]
Sackett, Edith Rose MurphyEdith Rose Murphy Sackett		(1901–1987)	1984	Volunteerism	[120]
Samuelson, AgnesAgnes Samuelson		(1897–1963)	1976	Educator	[121]
Savery, Annie NowlinAnnie Nowlin Savery		(1831–1891)	1997	Women's suffrage	[122]
Sayre, Ruth BuxtonRuth Buxton Sayre		(1896–1980)	1976	Farm spokeswoman, co-founder Association Country Women of the World, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower both appointed her to Presidential positions.	[123]
Schechter, SusanSusan Schechter		(1946–2004)	2005	Social worker	[124]
Schramm, DorothyDorothy Schramm			1986	Global affairs	[125]
Shambaugh, Jessie FieldJessie Field Shambaugh		(1881–1971)	1977	Known as "The mother of 4-H clubs"	[126]
Sievers, Georgia RogersGeorgia Rogers Sievers			1989	Community activist	[127]
Sloss, Margaret WraggMargaret Wragg Sloss		(1901–1979)	2006	Veterinary medicine	[128]
Smith, Ida B. WiseIda B. Wise Smith		(1871–1952)	1977	Suffragette, National president Women's Christian Temperance Union, served on White House Conference on Child Health and Protection during Herbert Hoover administration.	[129]
Smith, Jeanne MontgomeryJeanne Montgomery Smith		(b. 1917)	1982	Physician	[130]
Smith, Mary LouiseMary Louise Smith		(1914–1977)	1977	Republican Party worker	[131]
Staples, Marilyn EMarilyn E Staples		(b. 1926)	1991	Volunteerism	[132]
Stein, Helen NavranHelen Navran Stein		(1923–2010)	1999	Neighborhood cooperation, working with the blind	[133]
Stevens, Rowena EdsonRowena Edson Stevens		(1852–1918)	1995	Women's suffrage	[134]
Stinson, LynLyn Stinson			2009	Community activist	[135]
Suckow, RuthRuth Suckow		(1892–1960)	1978	Author	[136]
Sudlow, Phebe W.Phebe W. Sudlow		(1831–1922)	1993	Educator	[137]
Sullivan, Sister Patricia ClareSister Patricia Clare Sullivan			1988	Health care	[138]
Sutton, Ruby L.Ruby L. Sutton		(b. 1932)	2010	African American civil rights worker, community civic activist	[139]
Swain, Adeline MorrisonAdeline Morrison Swain		(1820–1899)	2000	Women's rights	[140]
Swanson, Margaret BoeyeMargaret Boeye Swanson		(b. 1919)	2000	Volunteerism	[141]
Swenson, Ruth WildmanRuth Wildman Swenson			1989	Scientist, encouraging women to enter science professions	[142]
Szymoniak, Elaine EisfelderElaine Eisfelder Szymoniak		(1920–2009)	1999	Iowa State Senator	[143]
Tiffany, Lois HatteryLois Hattery Tiffany			1991	Mycologist, educating the public on mushrooms	[144]
Tinsman, MaggieMaggie Tinsman		(b. 1936)	2014	Former Iowa State Senator	[145]
Toomey, Margaret MaryMargaret Mary Toomey		(b. 1937)	2003	Volunteerism	[146]
Turner, Deborah AnnDeborah Ann Turner		(b. 1950)	2013	First African American woman to be certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in gynecologic oncology	[147]
Villines, Evelyne JobeEvelyne Jobe Villines		(b. 1930)	1994	Political activist	[148]
Vilsack, ChristieChristie Vilsack		(b. 1950)	2014	Literacy advocate and politician	[149]
Walker, Nellie VerneNellie Verne Walker		(1874–1973)	1987	Sculptor	[150]
Wanatee, Jean Adeline MorganJean Adeline Morgan Wanatee		(b.1910)	1993	First woman elected to the Meskwaki tribal council	[151]
Webb, Beulah E.Beulah E. Webb		(1895–1998)	1997	African American civic organizer	[152]
Welch, Mary BeaumontMary Beaumont Welch		(1841–1923)	1992	Women's rights, home economics	[153]
White, Maude EstherMaude Esther White		(b. 1913)	1998	Educator, volunteer	[154]
Williams, Catherine G.Catherine G. Williams		(b. 1914)	1980	Social worker	[155]
Wilson, Cristine SwansonCristine Swanson Wilson			1989	Women's rights	[156]
Wimer, ConnieConnie Wimer		(b. 1932)	2007	Community leader, publisher, business woman	[157]
Wittenmyer, AnnieAnnie Wittenmyer		(1827–1900)	1975	Established the Keokuk Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society to assist Union Army soldiers during the Civil War. Assisted with passage of an 1892 bill to give pensions to Civil War nurses. Founder and President of the Women's Christian Temperance Union.	[158]
Wood, Mary EMary E Wood		(1902–1998)	1996	Business leader, YWCA executive	[159]
Wood, Mildred Hope FisherMildred Hope Fisher Wood		(b. 1920)	2011	Physician, learning disabilities	[160]
Yanney, ChareseCharese Yanney		(b. 1949)	2010	Business woman, fund raiser and civic leader, helped launch Women's Power Lunch and Women United	[161]
Zimmerman, Jo Ann McIntoseJo Ann McIntose Zimmerman		(b. 1936)	2005	43rd Lieutenant Governor of Iowa	[162]

References

External links

• Iowa Women's Hall of Fame official site