The 2026 Women Impacting ISU Calendar released its 20th anniversary edition Friday at the Memorial Union, celebrating past Cyclone women and their achievements. 

The calendar will be available for free at various locations around campus this week, including the Catt Center, Sloss House, Beardshear Hall and the Memorial Union. 

The Women Impacting ISU Calendar has been coordinated by the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics since 2007, honoring Iowa State students, faculty and staff who have made a significant positive impact on campus. 

Carrie Ann Johnson, associate director of outreach and communication at the Catt Center, welcomed attendees and award recipients to the honoree reception and meal. 

Johnson shares how she felt being able to help host the event.

“There are so many people that came before me that made my life possible,” Johnson said. “The fact that we have something this special at Iowa State to honor the people who are building ladders behind them, it just means something is going right.”

For the 20th anniversary of the calendar, a special commemorative edition was designed to include women who had not had a chance to be recognized in previous years. 

“To mark this milestone, we have decided to honor some impactful Cyclones whose time at Iowa State was over before the calendar was a thing,” Johnson said.

The Iowa State treble-voice ensemble choir Cantamus performed two songs for the guests throughout the night: “ISU Carillon Song” in the beginning and “Den som frisker är och sund” before the closing remarks. 

12 women were honored, one for each of the 12 months of the year.

Molly Benson Business (1997)

Benson is now a mentor for many in their journeys of personal and professional growth and a board member of ISU’s Healthcare Programs Executive Advisory Council. She guides undergraduate and master’s programs in healthcare management, analytics and operations at the Ivy College of Business.

Corinne Brown Home Economics Education (1960)

Brown dedicated 24 years in total as an Iowa State staff member. Beginning at the Memorial Union bakery, she shifted to a morning cook in Friley Hall before becoming the head of the salad department. She retired after 19 years at Parks Library, overseeing over 100 student employees and managing the annual collection. 

Stephanie Law Physics (2006)

In Law’s senior year, she was one of the few undergraduates nationwide to give a presentation at the American Physical Society. Law was an active musician on campus, playing the mellophone in the marching band and french horn in the wind ensemble. She continues to inspire students as a professor at Penn State University in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. She is also a member of the Ames National Laboratory External Advisory Committee.

Vera Martinovich Aerospace Engineering (1988)

Martinovich was the 25th woman to graduate from the aerospace engineering program. After graduating, she helped pioneer a fully digital flight deck system with Boeing. She was an accomplished pilot and flight instructor. In April 2025, Martinovich was posthumously inducted into the Department of Aerospace Engineering Hall of Distinguished Alumni.

Trudy Huskamp Peterson English, History and Speech Communication (1967)

Peterson served two decades at the United States National Archives from 1993 to 1995. She is the first woman to hold the title of Archivist of the United States. She was known as a powerful advocate of open dialogue and human rights, serving as a consultant in dozens of countries. She and her husband, Gary, provide scholarships to study abroad students. 

Laura Phillips Chemical and Biological Engineering (2005)

A passionate STEM advocate, Phillips is a leader and mentor of the Program for Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) in the chemical engineering learning community. She has been on the WiSE advisory board for over 10 years, continuing to attend events and foster connections with students.

Lola Placeway Chemistry (1895)

After graduation, Placeway became the first female faculty member of the chemistry department at ISU from 1889 to 1913. She set an example for a long line of distinguished women in the chemistry department.

Shannan Potts Mechanical Engineering (2004)

Potts was one of the few women who graduated in her major in her class. Since graduating, she has been a successful farmer and enjoys continuing to return to ISU for agricultural events and classes over the years. She has also been thriving in her athletic journey in triathlons.

Laura Talbot Seidensticker Aerospace Engineering (1989)

Seidensticker worked at the NASA Johnson Space Center on the space shuttle program. She is co-founder and chief technology officer of health and wellness company Vital Proteins. Seidensticker grants scholarships supporting female aerospace students, having benefitted 16 students so far.

Evonne Johnson Smith Textiles and Clothing (1968)

Smith has generously given to the College of Health and Human Sciences to propel it towards its future goals and innovation. Her philanthropy has transformed LeBaron Hall into a hub of opportunity for nationally ranked fashion, design and merchandising students, inspiring creativity and collaboration for years to come. 

Rowena Edson Stevens Agriculture (1873)

Stevens was a supporter of women’s suffrage and served as president of the political equality club in Ames and Boone, even organizing additional chapters in other cities. She was honored by the League of Women Voters in 1931 as one of the 24 women in Iowa whose courageous operations opened the opportunities for complete citizenship for all women in the states.

Kate Terrell Horticulture (2002)

Terrell was actively involved in the university community as an undergraduate in Greek life and campus blood drives. Now, Terrell is the owner of Wallace’s Garden Center in Bettendorf, Iowa, one of the largest women-owned garden centers in Iowa. She continues to donate and support the horticulture program, helping build research labs and greenhouses

As the night concluded, attendees enjoyed a cake that read “Congratulations, Women ISU 2026!” and mingled and took photos.  

Johnson shared a final message she hoped would resonate with the current women of ISU.

“Stay strong,” Johnson said. “Treat each other well. Keep going.” 

This edition of the calendar was designed by Catt Center Public Relations and Event Management intern Keith Maloney, a junior majoring in public relations. The event was sponsored by the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost.

Visit the Catt Center’s website to view previous calendars and a list of past honorees. If you would like to request calendar distribution at a specific location on campus, please contact the Catt Center via email at [email protected].