Lift IOWA, a free newsletter dedicated to women and leadership, is now available for subscription.  The first issue was released March 24 and will continue to be released weekly. This new publication by Business Records will showcase and increase exposure of women throughout the state of Iowa.

“Our goal is to talk about gender equity issues and tapping into the female talent. We want to make sure women are up on what’s happening on the national stage,” said Janette Larkin, Business Records publisher.

Lift IOWA will highlight women that are being promoted in various fields of leadership and success. It will also display powerful discussions on feminism and women’s issues across the country.

The weekly newsletter aims be a place where women can go to find resources to get involved. There is a whole section dedicated to keeping women plugged in and active among the community if they choose to do so. By providing dates and times, women who want to get involved have the opportunity to do so.

“Just to have a formal network to bring about ideas, articles and events on women’s leadership is a good thing,” said Dianne Bystorm, director of the Catt Center. “You can never do too much to promote women’s leadership in the state.” 

This publication has been an ongoing discussion for about a year. As the need became more apparent for this type of newsletter, Lift IOWA evolved out of it, said Larkin. The hardest part of forming the publication was getting a large database.

Larkin said the frustration of never having elected a woman into Congress or as governor increased the efforts of Lift IOWA.

According to a new study done by American Express OPEN, Iowa is ranked last in the country in terms of the economic influence of women-owned businesses in the state.

“It’s such an embarrassment for the state because Iowa is so progressive on so many things,” Larkin said. “Why are we lagging behind on gender equity issues?”

The longterm goal of the publication is for there to no longer to be a need for it. This will be met when gender equality is met and women are fairly represented in leadership positions, Larkin said.

“I don’t think it will happen in my lifetime, but it will. With each generation, there comes increased expectations,” Larkin said. “I think it’s important for people in my generation to continue to fight that fight to make it happen for later generations. That’s the only way change is ever effected.”

For now, Lift IOWA’s goal is to continue to grow in number and importance. It will be a tool as an ongoing communication device for women statewide to link together so they can talk about solutions and implement the changes they see fit.