A wooden animal box painted in bright colors, an embroidered village scene, a painting created with the artist’s mouth – these are all pieces of Valerie Grimsley’s former life. With a Spanish degree from Simpson College, she worked with migrant workers in California for four years before moving to Guadalajara, Mexico to begin a program that helped injured migrant workers return home and start profitable businesses. Sixteen years later, California cut funding for the program and Grimsley returned to her home state of Iowa at the same time the executive director position with the Iowa Council for International Understanding opened up. Being in this top role since the beginning of May, Grimsley looks forward to enhancing Iowa’s cultural community and exposing Iowans to different cultures both in and out of state.
What do you admire most about the council?
Its commitment to international programs. The emphasis is on Iowans going out and bringing an international perspective to Iowa. I think we can play a role as cultural brokers by helping to build that understanding and helping us see what we have in common.
Do you think Iowans are more accepting of different cultures compared to other states?
I think there’s more acceptance because we recognize the economic need and we’re proud of our state. We have a state identity of being a good place to live and understand why other people would want to live here.
Because of your experience in Mexico and Central America, do you plan to focus on these cultures specifically?
The reality is this area is being affected most by the Latino migration, so I think it’s a natural thing that we become more involved in that. Whenever anyone came to visit me in Mexico, before we went to the beach, out to lunch, or did anything, everybody traveled with me for a couple days and met my friends. And no one went home the same. They all went home with the idea that I get it, I understand why we have new neighbors. It’s because they need a future as well and this is where they’re going to get it.
How have you gotten past the recent controversy surrounding Michele Soria’s departure from the ICIU?
Michele Soria did great things. There’s absolutely no doubt about it. And where I see I go from here is working with the staff. That’s really where she’s left her legacy. I can bring my perspective into it – my experience with the immigrant population. What’s happened has happened. It’s over and the reality is in a non-profit organization the executive director serves at the will of the board and there has to be a good working relationship with board, staff, volunteers and the community.
If you could accomplish one thing in this position what would it be?
My goal is to get more Iowans out of the state, actually meeting with people that make decisions. I want to try to offer more opportunities for Iowans to travel with the specific intention of understanding someone else’s culture from an insider’s point of view – not just seeing the sights, but to be able to ask questions that tourists don’t normally get to ask.
Did you ever see yourself in a role like this when you were a child?
When I was in forth grade, I had this teacher who had just come back from a trip to Egypt. I saw a picture of her on a camel in front of the pyramids and had the idea that “Wow, I can do this. I want to travel. I want to see the world.”
If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
I’ve been through Asia, Europe, all through South America, Central America and Mexico, and part of what I need to face for future travel are some of my fears – to go to the populated, problematic areas such as India.
What do you miss most about Mexico?
My friends … and avocados. They’re just not the same here.
What do you like to do for fun?
I like entertaining, and that’s probably from my Mexican background. I participate in Kundalini yoga. I like to golf and read. I’m living at the 10th Street Lofts, so I also walk to Gray’s Lake. I just feel satisfied with my life – the environment and the challenges and changes of starting something new.
-Sarah Bzdega
