Coffee with a Commissioner
 Join us every month for an interview with one of the commissioners of the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women (ICSW) to learn more about how and why they got involved in women's advocacy. Each month we will focus on a different commissioner.
This month, I had the pleasure of interviewing Phyllis Peters, chair of the commission and member of the ICSW's Public Policy committee to talk about herself, her work, and the "why" behind the work that she does with the Commission.
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Phyllis Peters
Chair, Iowa Commission on the Status of Women
 How long have you served on the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women?
I was appointed to the Commission in the spring of 2008 to fill the remainder of a term for which there was a vacancy; I then received full-term appointments in 2010 and 2014.
What was one of the things that called you to serve on this specific Commission?
I knew the Office on the Status of Women and its Commissioners had been catalysts for positive change since the early ‘70s when it championed ways to eliminate gender inequality which existed in various ways, and which could be addressed through policy changes. While women’s roles and status changed dramatically between 1972 and 2008, women today still face obstacles – particularly women who work in low-paying jobs, women of color, and those who are immigrants. The Commission isn’t a social service agency, but I think our role is to advocate for those women and ensure that public policies at our state and local levels and ensure a path to opportunity for all Iowan women and girls.
What is one accomplishment you've been proud of since your start on the Commission?
In 2009 the Commission championed a bill that was passed in the legislature and signed into law to require gender parity on state and local boards and commissions. This was meant to bring the voices of women and other under-represented Iowans into the room and at the table where local citizens make policy decisions. For years, Iowans benefited from having women appointed to state boards and commissions – to shape policies and budgets affecting all Iowans. Iowa law affirms that we should replicate this with gender parity at the county and city level – and it’s an ongoing process to fully achieve the goals of that law. To earn passage in 2009, Commissioners like myself became a small but mighty ‘speaker’s bureau’ and presented our case to groups around the state, and enlisted allies from AAUW, BPW, NAWBO, and many other organizations. The collaboration demonstrated that collectively, we can still remove obstacles and shape a better future for our state and our local communities.
What is an issue that affects women and girls that you are passionate about?
Today I am increasingly concerned that too many Iowa women are marginalized. Iowa has the highest percentage of families where all available parents are working. Whether there are two parents or the high number of single-parent households, we see more Iowa women struggling to get ahead – they work at low-paying jobs with no benefits; child care costs are greater than the expense of public college tuition, and instead of moving ahead to a better economic situation, they fall further behind. Collectively, private and public entities need to find real solutions and harness the creativity and productivity of these women who want to improve their lives and provide better futures for their children.
What do you do in your spare time (if you have any)?
In the winter months, my spare time is allocated to ISU women’s and men’s basketball games. We have season tickets and spend a lot of time at Hilton Coliseum. When it’s not winter, I enjoy working in my flower gardens (i.e., trying to keep out the rabbits), and also taking long bike rides and walks.
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To connect with the chair of the commission Phyllis Peters, find her on LinkedIn.
2017 Policy Recommendations
Iowa Commission on the Status of Women
The Iowa Commission on the Status of Women recently released its 2017 policy recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly, as laid out in Iowa Code 216A.54.
In summary, the ICSW makes the following policy recommendations:
1. Increase the state child care assistance initial income eligibility limit from 145% of the federal poverty level to at least 175%.
2. Support additional protections for pregnant workers under the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
3. Increase the budget for the Iowa Department of Human Rights’ Division of Community Advocacy and Services (CAS).
For the full set of recommendations, click here.
Do you know how to connect with your legislators and track legislation?
Are you wondering who your state senator and/or representative is?
To find your local state legislator, go to the following page: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find, type in your address, and choose your city from the drop down list. The contact information for your local senator and state representative will show on your screen.
Are you wondering how to track the legislation going through the Iowa House and Senate during the 2017 legislative session?
Visit: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation to look through the various bills going through the legislature. You can also sign up for a Bills and Rules Watch account at: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/portal/subscriptions and get notifications about the bills you care about.
Who are my U.S. (Federal) Senators?
Who are my U.S. (Federal) Representatives?
- District 1: Blum, Rod, 202-225-2911; Committees: Oversight and Government, Small Business
- District 2: Loebsack, David, 202-225-6576; Committees: Energy and Commerce
- District 3: Young, David, 202-225-5476; Committees: Appropriations
- District 4: King, Steve, 202-225-4426; Committees: Agriculture, Small Business, the Judiciary
We need you!
Volunteer your time on the
Iowa Task Force for Young Women
The Iowa Task Force for Young Women (ITFYW) was formed in 1995, as a subcommittee of the Juvenile Justice Advisory Council (JJAC). The JJAC serves as Iowa’s State Advisory Group for administration of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. The ITFYW serves to address the issue of females and juvenile justice and to advise the JJAC.
The goal of the ITFYW has been, and continues to be, to facilitate a comprehensive fundamental change in the juvenile justice system that will enhance the understanding and utilization of innovative gender-responsive approaches in all programs and services that serve the adolescent female population of Iowa’s juvenile justice system.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the ITFYW or attending a meeting, please visit our website: https://humanrights.iowa.gov/cjjp/females-and-juvenile-justice-0 or contact Kathy Nesteby at 515-281-6915 or Kathy.Nesteby@Iowa.gov.
Are you a student/teacher in grades 5-12?
Compete for a chance to win prizes
Questions?
Contact Kristen Corey at women@iowa.gov or 515-281-4470/800-558-4427 or visit the Iowa Department of Human Rights’ Office on the Status of Women’s website at: https://humanrights.iowa.gov/cas/icsw.
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