Former Cedar Falls lawmaker Doris Kelley was recently elected to the board of directors of 50-50 in 2020, a statewide initiative working to increase women’s presence in politics in Iowa.
“During my tenure in the Iowa House I really did witness a difference between how male and female legislators conduct legislative business,” Kelley said in a statement. “The men were more about keeping score, while women did work across the aisle.”
The bipartisan 50-50 in 2020 is neutral on issues, instead focusing on encouraging women of any political party to run for -- and win -- elected offices across the state. Its ultimate goal is to see an even gender split in elected bodies by 2020, the centennial anniversary of women first winning the right to vote.
Women currently make up about 52 percent of Iowa voters but hold 23 percent of the seats in Iowa’s General Assembly.