Nominations are open for the 2025 Iowa Women of Achievement Awards presented by Women Lead Change (WLC).
The annual award recognizes historical Iowa women who made outstanding and lasting contributions to the citizens of Iowa, the nation, or the world. Nominations are due by Monday, Aug. 18, and can be found on WLC’s website here.
The awards are commemorated with plaques on the Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge in Des Moines. The 2025 honorees will be recognized at a luncheon at the Women Lead Change Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.
Athene and Nationwide are the sponsors of the Iowa Women of Achievement Awards. Nominees should be historical (deceased) women who: were born in Iowa, achieved prominence within Iowa, or had been a resident of Iowa for an extended period. Nominations remain current for three years and may then be resubmitted if not previously selected.
WLC said in a news release that nominees will be selected on merit in the following areas:
- Lasting contributions made by the nominee.
- The nominee served as a role model or change agent.
- The nominee impacted the social, cultural, economic or political well-being of the community, state or nation.
- She inspired future generations.
Those chosen will join an impressive roster of 23 influential Iowa women including former U.S. First Lady Lou Henry Hoover (1874-1944) and closer to home, the former mayor Clinton, LaMetta Wynn. She was a registered nurse who in 1995 became the first black woman to be elected mayor in Iowa.
Another previous winner with regional connections was Sister Bernadine Pieper (1918-2000), Congregation of the Humility of Mary. The nationally renowned scientist and educator served in numerous educational roles throughout her life. That included a 25-year career at Davenport’s Marycrest College.
