Lt Gov Kim Reynolds played the roles of politician and any woman’s best friend when she kicked off her Stories of Women’s Lives Tour in Jefferson Wednesday morning. About 50 persons, most of them women, welcomed Reynolds at the Greene County Historical Museum. Reynolds’ visit was coordinated by the Greene County Chamber. The Stories of Women’s Lives Tour, which is part of Reynolds’ effort to visit all 99 counties in Iowa this year, coincides with National Women’s History Month.
After being introduced by Chamber executive director Chris Henning, Reynolds spoke for about 10 minutes, touching on the Branstad/Reynolds themes of Home Base Iowa and promoting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. She mentioned the Iowa Apprenticeship and Job Training Act and Branstad’s Connect Every Acre initiative to extend broadband internet access to rural areas.
She then opened the floor for comments. She said one of her goals is to “connect the dots” of women’s stories. “As we tell the stories and we highlight women that have done great things in the past, and young women that are doing great things today, we can start to connect the dots and encourage other women along the way,” Reynolds said.
She invited not only stories, but issues and concerns that would help shape future efforts in state government.
Ten women, most of them business owners either solely or in partnership with their husbands, spoke. Common themes were the lessons they had learned from their mothers about pursuing goals and balancing jobs with raising a family.
Sherry Bates, who was appointed to the Iowa Board of Regents last November, told of her mother being a “quiet pioneer,” running a beauty salon from her home. Bates was the only one in her group of friends whose mother worked fulltime, she said. “I was so proud of my mom. She showed me things in such a quiet way, that I could do anything I put my mind to.”
As she looked around the room Wednesday morning, Bates said, “I know a lot of the women in this room, and they have been my quiet mentors. They have no idea what they’ve done, but they’ve quietly mentored all of us and encouraged all of us. I think it’s time that we be vocal about it in encouraging each other.”
In closing the conversation, Reynolds encouraged women to keep supporting and encouraging each other, and to consider running for office. She also said women have much to offer businesses. “We bring different opinions to the table. We get things done quicker. We tend to prepare more. We ask different questions, and it really goes to the bottom line of success in business across the state of Iowa. Stay engaged. Actively participate.”
Jefferson was the first stop on Reynolds’ Stories of Women’s Lives Tour. Webster City was her destination upon leaving Jefferson.
