Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
SMITH, Donna
SMITH, Donna. (Epworth, IA- ). Donna graduated magna cum laude from LORAS COLLEGE. She married Pat Smith, with whom she raised 4 children. Donna worked as an Iowa licensed real estate broker for many years and graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1997.
Donna Smith made local history in 1974 as the first woman elected Chair of the Dubuque County Democrats which then adopted a constitution and by-Laws following McGovern Party Reforms. She ended the long-standing tradition of stag fundraisers and a separate women's club and helped create Century Club to assist candidates, campaigns, and party expenses. Ralph SCHARNAU was her secretary, Joann McCauley her Second Vice-Chair and Clarence GRIEP her research chair.
Donna helped Robert M. CARR, Michael W. CONNOLLY, Thomas J. JOCHUM, and Patrick J. MURPHY with the assistance of U.S. Senator Tom Harkin connect Dubuque to the world with four 4-lane highways. She was also chair of the Dubuque County Referendum to add "women" to the Iowa Constitution.
In 1978, Donna was the first woman elected to the County Board of Supervisors and on January 5, 1981, she was elected the first female Chairperson of the Board, a position she held numerous times during the following thirty-two years. Donna led Dubuque County in adopting an Equal Opportunity Employment policy and promoting more women to management positions. JoAnn REYNOLDS was appointed to fill a county recorder vacancy, Denise Marie DOLAN to county auditor, and Katherine Flynn THURLOW to county recorder upon Reynolds’ death. A gender balance policy was also adopted for appointments to county boards and commissions. This did not become a state law until 2009.
Donna was one of the longest serving county supervisors from either party, holding office from 1978 until 2010. During her time as supervisor, Donna was instrumental in many worthy projects and committees: the NORTHWEST ARTERIAL, new county jail, Local Option Tax, County Enhanced 911, Courthouse Restoration, Health and Transportation Steering Committees; Iowa Secondary Road Use Fund; Northeast Iowa Juvenile Detention; Dubuque County Census Committee 2010; Project Concern, RSVP, Dubuque Metropolitan Area and REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY (RTA). Donna also was active in the establishment of GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION after the shutdown of the DUBUQUE PACKING COMPANY and worked with Senator Harkin to designate the OLD JAIL as a Federal Landmark.
In 1996 and 2000 Donna ran for 2nd district Congressional Representative.
Source:
DBQDemocrats.org Online: http://www.dbqdemocrats.org/halloffame