Official State of Iowa Website Here is how you know
Agencies A-Z Programs & Services
Iowa Department of Human Rights

Iowa Women's Hall of Fame

Iowa Women's Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

What:     Induction ceremony of the honorees of the 2023 Iowa Women's Hall of Fame and Cristine Cristine
                 Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice

When:    Saturday, August 26, 2023

Time:     9:30 A.M.  A reception will immediately follow the ceremony.

Where:  State Capitol Rotunda, 1007 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines IA 50319

Free and open to the public.  

    Honoring women is part of writing our history

    Not enough people are aware of the extent of women's contributions to society, whether past or present. To highlight women's heritage and recognize their contributions, the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women (ICSW) established the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 1975. Each year the ICSW and the Governor welcome four women into the Hall of Fame, paying tribute to them and setting them forth as role models for others. As of 2023, 193 women will have been inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame and 34 individuals will have been awarded the Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice. 

    Each year, the commission approves the induction of four women into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice by a committee composed of three commissioners, the chair of the commission (ex-officio) and two public members. The selection committee reviews all of the submitted nominations and selects the individuals to be inducted. The commission then reviews and votes to approve the suggested nominees to be inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame.

    The commission is proud to announce the honorees of the  2023 Iowa Women's Hall of Fame and the Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice. 

    2023 Iowa Women's Hall of Fame Honorees 

    • Honorable Romonda D. Belcher (Des Moines, IA) - District Associate Judge, Iowa Fifth Judicial District, first and only African American female judge appointed in the State of Iowa since 2010.

    • Honorable Paula S. Dierenfeld (Johnston, IA) - Mayor of the City of Johnston, Iowa, since 2008, making her the longest-serving female mayor in the state; attorney - partner at Nyemaster, Goode, P.C.

    • Bridget D. Reed (Waterloo, IA) - Registered nurse, Supervisor of Clinic Operations in Urology Care and Bariatric Surgery Clinic; Executive Director - Focus on Diabetes; non-profit outreach

    2023 Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice Recipient

    • Teree Caldwell-Johnson (Des Moines) - President and CEO of Oakridge Neighborhood and also serves as the Des Moines Public School Board President. 

    _______________________________________________________________________________________________

    Iowa Women's Hall of Fame Members

    _______________________________________________________________________________________________

    Nominate someone for the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame or Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice today!

    Please fill out the applicable nomination form with supporting materials and send them to women@iowa.gov by April 1 each year. If you have questions, please contact the Office on the Status of Women at women@iowa.gov or 515-281-4470.