After years of activism, the first female state representative from Ames has been inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame.

Johnie Hammond received the honor Friday on the 85th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

“She absolutely deserves this honor and I’m thrilled she’s getting recognition,” said Jill Bystydzienski, professor of liberal arts and sciences cross discipline studies and director of women studies. “She’s spent many, many years involved in politics at the state and local level and even some nationally. She’s paving the way for young women.”

Hammond said she first became interested in service and justice when she heard about the Story County Care Facility, located between Ames and Nevada, more than 30 years ago.

Her long history of activism includes working with the correctional system for minors, serving 23 years in the Iowa House of Representatives and serving in the Iowa Senate since 1994.

Although Hammond retired from the Legislature three years ago, she is continuing her volunteer activities by serving on the League of Women Voters and a subcommittee researching a more child-friendly corrections system.

Gov. Tom Vilsack also appointed Hammond to the Board of Corrections, which Hammond said relates to her strong interest in justice issues.

“I want the best and most successful justice [system] in the country,” she said. “I’ll be looking at what really works in the correction system to turn people’s lives around.”

The Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame started in 1974 and inducts four women every year. Fifteen women have been inducted from Ames or Iowa State.

Bystydzienski said the hall recognizes accomplishments that might have otherwise not been honored.

“The Women’s Hall of Fame is important because still today, and especially in the past, women haven’t had the same kind of avenues of recognition as men have,” Bystydzienski said. “It’s a way to recognize women that have had an impact.”

Hammond said she realizes she’s done a lot to help people, but feels others have done just as much.

“I have done a lot and in some cases have helped people who couldn’t find anyone to help them anywhere else,” she said.

“I still get phone calls from all over the state from people who need help with child support or something like that, but I know so many people that are just as good as I am.

“People have made quite a to-do about me, but if you look through the hall of fame program, there are other women from Ames honored.”

Hammond is also honored in front of Catt Hall in the Plaza of Heroines. William and Gracie Larson and Elroy and Jean Peterson dedicated a brick in her name in 1995.