Minnette
Doderer
"Minnette
Doderer, tough-minded and outspoken, is the leading feminist
in the Iowa
legislature... Doderer's efforts on behalf of women are unflagging."
—Louise R. Noun, More Strong-Minded Women, 1992
Minnette
Doderer of Iowa City has been the leading advocate of Women's
rights during her distinguished 15-year career in the state legislature.
Born in Holland, Iowa in 1923, she was elected three times each
to the House of Representatives and the Senate, beginning her
tenure of office in 1964. Doderer's work on rape law reform,
the federal and state Equal Rights Amendments, juvenile justice,
child care, and inheritance tax revision resulted in many laws
that improved the legal status of women. As president pro tempore
of the Senate for two years, she attained the highest position
ever held by a woman in the Iowa Legislature. Doderer was one
of the founding members of the Iowa Women's Political Caucus
and cochair of the International Women's Year coordinating committee.
Doderer was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 1979.
UPDATE: Doderer
continued her service in the legislature’s Iowa House of Representatives
from 1981 to 2000. While in the legislature, she served as cochair
of the General Assembly Women's Caucus; chair of Small Business,
Economic Development & Trade; chair of Small Business and Commerce
Committee; vice-chair of Budget and Taxation Committee of the National
Conference of State Legislatures; and chair of the Ways and Means
Committee. She sponsored and was instrumental in the passage of legislation
that is pertinent to Iowa women and their equality. Among the many
honors and awards she has received are the Reproductive Rights Award,
1998; Business and Professional Women Woman of Achievement Award,
1997; Citation from The American Academy of Pediatrics for sponsorship
of Legislation for Post Delivery Benefits and Care of Iowa’s
Infants, 1996; Friend of Nursing Award, 1996; Feminist of the Year
Award, 1996; Iowa City Senior Center Woman of the Year, 1995; Gold
Seal Award, Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1995; President
Pioneer Lawmakers, 1993-95; ERA Tribute, 1992; Cristine Wilson Medal
for Equality and Justice, 1989; Friend of Education Award, Iowa City,
1986; Distinguished Legislative Service Award, Iowa State Education
Association; and the Good Citizenship Medal, Sons of the American
Revolution.
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