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: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:imp989.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Campaign material for Donna Smith. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]] | [[Image:imp989.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Campaign material for Donna Smith. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]] | ||
SMITH, Donna. (Epworth, IA- ). | 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 Broker with [[HERRIG REAL ESTATE]] for many years. She 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, adopting a Constitution and By-Laws following McGovern Party Reforms. She ended the long-standing tradition of stag fundraisers and a separate women's club, helping create Century Club to assist candidates and Campaigns and party expenses. Hall of Famers Ralph Scharnau was her secretary, Joann McCauley her Second Vice-Chair and Clarence Griep her Research Chair. | |||
Donna helped other Hall of Famers, [[CARR,, Robert|Robert]], [[CONNOLLY, Michael|Michael CONNOLLY]], [[JOCHUM, Thomas|Thomas JOCHUM]], [[MURPHY, Pat|Pat MURPHY]], and other Democratic legislators, with the assistance of U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, to 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. [[REYNOLDS, Joann|Joann REYNOLDS]] was appointed to fill a County Recorder vacancy, [[DOLAN, Denise|Denise DOLAN]] to County Auditor, and [[THURLOW, Kathy Flynn|Kathy 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 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. Donna also was active in the establishment of Greater Dubuque Development Corporation after the Pack shutdown, 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. | |||
Smith made local history in 1974 by being the first woman to head the Dubuque County Democratic Party. In 1978 she became the first woman elected to the three-member Board of County Supervisors. | |||
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Source: | |||
DBQDemocrats.org Online: http://www.dbqdemocrats.org/halloffame | |||
[[Category: Politician]] | [[Category: Politician]] | ||
Revision as of 15:29, 19 August 2013
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 Broker with HERRIG REAL ESTATE for many years. She 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, adopting a Constitution and By-Laws following McGovern Party Reforms. She ended the long-standing tradition of stag fundraisers and a separate women's club, helping create Century Club to assist candidates and Campaigns and party expenses. Hall of Famers Ralph Scharnau was her secretary, Joann McCauley her Second Vice-Chair and Clarence Griep her Research Chair.
Donna helped other Hall of Famers, Robert, Michael CONNOLLY, Thomas JOCHUM, Pat MURPHY, and other Democratic legislators, with the assistance of U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, to 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 DOLAN to County Auditor, and Kathy 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 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. Donna also was active in the establishment of Greater Dubuque Development Corporation after the Pack shutdown, 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.
Smith made local history in 1974 by being the first woman to head the Dubuque County Democratic Party. In 1978 she became the first woman elected to the three-member Board of County Supervisors.
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Source:
DBQDemocrats.org Online: http://www.dbqdemocrats.org/halloffame