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Women’s and Gender Issues

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‘Gender Queer’ book complaint has no standing, Iowa board says

Axios Des Moines: West Des Moines parent Teri Patrick lacks the legal right to challenge the book “Gender Queer” at Valley Southwoods Freshman High School because her child was not a student at the time she …

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Women leading the way

Jessica Rowe

Jessica Rowe: 2022 Women of Influence Honoree

Jessica Rowe thanks her mother and grandmother for instilling in her the sense of independence and adventure she believes has been instrumental in her love of travel and art.
“It was incredibly empowering, that sense …

Rita Perea

Rita Perea: 2022 Women of Influence Honoree

Rita Perea believes her purpose in the world is to help other people, and that has manifested in three passions that have become threads woven throughout her career and life: education, business and finance.

Perea …

Trudy Holman Hurd

Trudy Holman Hurd: 2022 Women of Influence Honoree

When you’re working on a community project with Trudy Holman Hurd, expect questions — challenging questions, say people who know her well. 
“She listens for process, partners and outcome,” wrote Pat Boddy in her nomination …

Dr. Hayley Harvey

Dr. Hayley Harvey: 2022 Women of Influence Honoree

Hayley Harvey was 7 years old when her mom came home one day in a taxi, climbed the stairs up to the family’s Detroit apartment and, without saying a word, went to her bedroom to …

Anne Bacon

Anne Bacon: 2022 Women of Influence Honoree

If you were to sit down for a job interview at IMPACT Community Action Partnership with Anne Bacon, the first question she would ask you is, “Why are people poor?”


She’s not looking for a …

Dr. Aneesa Afroze

Dr. Aneesa Afroze: 2022 Women of Influence Honoree

If you had to pick two words to describe Dr. Aneesa Afroze’s purpose in life, they might be education and opportunity. 

Her love for learning started from day one. Afroze was born in Hyderabad, India, …

Julie Stewart

Julie Stewart: 2022 Women of Influence Honoree

Julie Stewart wants to give back to the community where she grew up.

Stewart grew up in Altoona and graduated from Southeast Polk High School. It’s that lifelong connection to her hometown and the region, …

Jessica Dunker

Jessica Dunker: 2022 Women of Influence Honoree

Jessica Dunker uses two words to describe herself: dream chaser.

But the Business Record Women of Influence class of 2022 member can be described with other words as well: Passionate. Determined. Relentless.

Those qualities were …