The Story County Board of Supervisors recently became the first county in Iowa to have a board composed solely of women. The Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University recognized the board in its latest newsletter.

Lisa Heddens, who was serving her ninth term in the Iowa House of Representatives, was appointed to the board June 13. She joins board chair Linda Murken and Lauris Olson. 

Heddens replaced Rick Sanders, who stepped down in May to become the president of Iowa State University’s Research Park. Her appointment by the Story County Vacancy Committee was unanimous.

“Women make up only about 10% of county supervisors, so a 100% female board is truly exceptional,” said Kelly Winfrey, coordinator of research and outreach for the Catt Center.

Winfrey went on to say the only county-elected office where women are more underrepresented is county sheriff. As of 2018, there were no female county sheriffs in Iowa, according to the Catt Center’s research.