Women Win: Janet Petersen, Iowa State Senator

For the first time in Iowa’s history, two women — Hillary Rodham Clinton and Patty Judge — will occupy the top of the Democratic ticket this November. And in many districts across the Hawkeye State, Iowans will have the opportunity to vote for women Democratic candidates for several offices at the top of the ticket. That’s why we’re launching Women Win, a campaign to help empower women across the state to talk about the historic nature of this election — and to recognize the amazing women of Iowa’s past, present, and future. Keep your eyes on our Twitter, Facebook, and Medium to learn their stories, then join in on our efforts.

“I grew up in Des Moines and represent the neighborhood where I was born and raised.

I inherited my love for public service from my mom. My parents met as schoolteachers in small town Iowa. When they started having kids, they decided my mom would stay home. Pioneer Hi-Bred recruited my dad to work for them in Des Moines. Just three years later, our family’s life took a major turn. My dad was diagnosed with cancer and died soon after his diagnosis. My mom was left with two young girls, and knew being a stay-at-home mom was no longer an option for our family.

When I started preschool in 1974, my mom re-entered the workforce in public policy. She was one of just a few women who worked at the capitol back then. I loved hearing about the issues she was working on to make Iowa a better place for families.

Even today, we don’t have enough women working at the capitol. As a state senator, there are many times when I am the only woman in the room and serving on a committee. That’s just not right. We need women to have a voice in public policy issues that affect all of us. Women bring a different perspective to the table. The issues that I’m most passionate about are children’s issues and public education, partially because I know public education was my family’s safety net. When my dad died and my mom had to re-enter the workforce, she had her master’s degree, which widened opportunities for her that other single mothers didn’t have. I think being a single parent is one of the toughest jobs in the world, and I know Hillary Clinton cares about America’s children like they’re her own. That’s one of the reasons why I’m excited about supporting her for president. We need someone who will be America’s children’s biggest supporter.

This election has elevated beyond being a partisan presidential election to an election of, ‘What do we stand for as a country?’ As parents of a teen, a tween and a nine-and-a-half year old, my husband and I want our kids to know that our country backs leaders who bring people together and lift each other up through tough times. I’m hopeful our kids will look back at this election and remember it as a historic moment for our country. It’s time for a woman to lead.”