2020 A TRIBUTE TO IOWA WOMEN AND GIRLS 1. An occurrence in which a group of people at a play, speech, sporting event, etc., show enthusiastic approval or appreciation by clapping their hands together over and over. —Merriam-Webster 2. A sustained and enthusiastic show of appreciation from an audience, especially by means of applause. —Oxford Dictionary 3. An enthusiastic show of appreciation, or a ceremonial tribute. —Your Dictionary Origin: Classical Latin ovatio; from ovare, to celebrate a triumph, akin to Classical Greek euazein, to rejoice, euai, a cry of Bacchic joy. 1 A TRIBUTE TO IOWA WOMEN AND GIRLS A TRIBUTE TO IOWA WOMEN AND GIRLS Presented by the Iowa Women’s Foundation 2020 The Iowa Women’s Foundation is committed to improving the lives of Iowa’s women and girls through a diversified mix of funding and action: research, grantmaking, advocacy, education, and collaboration. To achieve its goals and make the most significant impact, IWF brings together and invests in organizations across Iowa that make women and girls more successful. IWF is the only statewide organization working to enhance and improve women’s economic self-sufficiency. http://www.iawf.org 2 A TRIBUTE TO IOWA WOMEN AND GIRLS PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Chelle Lehman, President Welcome to the 2020 unveiling of the 7th edition of OVATION: this edition of OVATION: A Tribute to Iowa Women and Girls. As A Tribute to Iowa Women and Girls! As I sat down to write this we celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the ratification of the 19th message considering the COVID-19 crisis, I was overwhelmed by a amendment giving women the right to vote, this theme resonates with sense of gratitude for all essential workers on the frontlines of this us all. We have made progress, but we dream bigger. We have made pandemic. Your courage and resiliency to arrive in person day after an impact, but we see a future that can become brighter. Hard Won, day in this time of adversity is to be applauded. I am also inspired by Not Done! the greater good in the collective effort to remain connected as we honor each other by practicing social distancing. As we strive to create connection, our unveiling will differ greatly from past years. However, I think that this will be one of our most memorable events. We are COMPASSIONATE, TENACIOUS, INNOVATIVE, CREATIVE, excited to share these stories of resilient Iowa women with you. PHILANTHROPIC, COURAGEOUS, KIND The Iowa Women’s Foundation (IWF) celebrated their 25th We honor and celebrate the Iowa women and girls in the 2020 edition anniversary in 2019 and continues to impact the lives of women and of OVATION: A Tribute to Iowa Women and Girls. You may find that girls across the entire state. The work of IWF, driven by research, some of the same attributes used to describe the women of the Iowa identified six barriers that inhibit women and girls from reaching suffrage movement are also fitting for the women and girls honored in economic self-sufficiency: this edition. However, as you read each unique personal story you will 1) Housing find those attributes and so many more. We celebrate all our honorees 2) Mentors and are inspired and encouraged by the big and the small things they 3) Transportation do each day. We celebrate their stories and know that the end is not yet 4) Child Care written in all they do. Hard Won, Not Done! 5) Education/Training 6) Employment IWF uses five key strategies to shatter these barriers: Education, GENEROUS, BOLD, VISIONARY, FIERCE, PHENOMENAL, Collaboration, Advocacy, Research, and Grantmaking. Through the INTELLIGENT, WORTHY growing support of individuals, businesses, and community partners, IWF has awarded more than one million dollars in grants to more than We also recognize those involved in the tribute of a friend, colleague, or 230 programs that have supported thousands of women and girls in family member. To continue to advance the economic self-sufficiency all 99 Iowa counties over the last quarter century, but our work is not of women and girls, we rely on allies to shine a light. You all lead by done. Hard Won, Not Done! example. We appreciate your dedication to share these stories of all women in Iowa and we appreciate your generous support of the Iowa Women’s Foundation! RESILIENT, STRONG, INSPIRATIONAL, ADMIRABLE, Hard Won, Not Done! Let’s continue the journey together. DEDICATED, LEADER, ORGANIZER Chelle Lehman These attributes are used to characterize Carrie Chapman Catt, Mary Jane Coggeshall, and Annie Nowlin Savery who were trailblazers of the women’s suffrage movement in Iowa and to whom we dedicate 3 A TRIBUTE TO IOWA WOMEN AND GIRLS DEDICATION The seventh edition of OVATION: A Tribute to Iowa personal values. Because of this, she was banished from Women and Girls is dedicated to Carrie Chapman Catt, the suffragist movement, but nevertheless, continued Mary Jane Coggeshall, and Annie Savery—three suffragists her support of women through entrepreneurial and whose spirited leadership led the way to Iowa becoming the philanthropic endeavors. 10th state to ratify the 19th Amendment. In 1908, Coggeshall was part of a major lawsuit against the Savery was the first woman to address women’s suffrage city of Des Moines after women were denied ballots in a city with a large group of Iowans—an audience that was not bond election. Based on a law passed in 1894 which gave Annie Savery – courtesy of the favorable to the movement. She founded the first women’s women the right to vote in these types of elections, the Iowa State historical Society of Iowa, suffragist society in Polk County and traveled the state as Supreme Court ruled the Des Moines election void. This Des Moines the leading spokesperson. same year, Coggeshall marched in the historical women’s suffrage parade in Boone, Iowa—the third women’s Coggeshall was a founder and charter member of several suffrage parade in the United States. suffragist groups in Des Moines. She served at the state and national level in a number of capacities, including Catt served as president of the National American Woman president, secretary, and executive committee member. She Suffrage Association. Under her leadership, she brought was the first editor of the monthly newspaper, Woman’s senators and representatives together to support the Standard, and wrote for several national papers on the suffrage movement at both the state and federal levels. subject of suffrage. When the United States entered World War I, Catt moved to support the war effort, which shifted the public’s Carrie Chapman Catt – Catt was an accomplished reporter who also wrote about perception of the women’s movement. President Woodrow Library of Congress, Wikipedia women’s rights. She began working nationally and was Wilson proclaimed his support of the women, and the 19th invited to speak at the 1890 National American Woman Amendment was adopted on August 26, 1920. Suffrage Association conference. She addressed Congress on the proposed women’s suffragist amendment and served Despite the hardships and resistance to the suffrage as president of this national group in the early 1900s and movement, each of these women devoted much of their again from 1915–1920. time, energy, and resources to their cause. They were resilient visionaries and courageous advocates who paved In 1871, the suffragists came under attack due to an the way for future generations. advocate that strongly promoted free love, a standard not acceptable by the majority. Savery defended the right For their strength, resilience, and passion, we dedicate this Mary Jane Coggeshall of any person to join the suffrage ranks despite their edition of Ovation in their memory. 4 A TRIBUTE TO IOWA WOMEN AND GIRLS 2020 5 A TRIBUTE TO IOWA WOMEN AND GIRLS ANNA MILBACH Anna Milbach is Vice President, Commercial Banking Deposits and Payment Relationship Manager at US Bank in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Anna has been with US Bank for seven years and manages Deposit and Cash Management needs of higher education institutions, municipalities, and large businesses. Anna has received recognition for her exceptional service to her clients, and has been recognized as a top performer for US Bank. Anna brings a smile to the face of those around her while also instilling a sense of total professionalism. Anna brings the wow factor to client interactions with her positive outlook and focus on solutions. Anna participated in the inaugural US Bank Women’s Sponsorship Class in 2014, and eventually took ownership of the 2020 class. This is a perfect example of Anna, going from a participant to leadership. Anna’s leadership and willingness has been important in the continuation of this program, and in devising summer programs for interns. Anna is also a leader in the community. She has served on the Waypoint Services Board of Directors since July 2014, has been on the steering committee for Women Lead Change since January 2014, actively organizing the WLC annual conference, has been a Junior Achievement classroom volunteer since 2014, and has served as the US Bank United Way Company Coordinator, responsible for exceptional employee participation and funds raised. Anna and her husband Joe live in Cedar Rapids with their two young sons. Thank you for everything you do to make our day brighter! Jeff Lara, Senior Vice President Commercial Banking and all your friends at US Bank 6 A TRIBUTE TO IOWA WOMEN AND GIRLS DAWN MARIE MARTINEZ OROPEZA “If you want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him... the people who give you their food give you their heart.” – César A. Chávez Dawn Marie Martinez Oropeza is the Executive Director of ¡Al Éxito!, a recipient of a LULAC Latino Hero Award, a Business Record Women of Influence Honoree, a consultant to the César E.