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Bennett, Liz (1982-)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1982-

Biography

Liz Bennett was born in 1982 and grew up in the Quad Cities. After moving to Cedar Rapids around 2002 and attending Kirkwood Community College, Bennett received a scholarship to Cornell College in Mount Vernon, where she studied women’s studies and political science. After becoming involved with One Iowa and the Linn County Democrats, Bennett decided to run for the Iowa legislature as a Democrat and won. She represented District 65 (parts of the Cedar Rapids area) in the Iowa House from 2015-2023 and was elected to the Iowa Senate, serving District 39 beginning in 2023. Bennett is believed to be the first out LGBTQ+ woman elected to the legislature.

Found in 6 Collections and/or Records:

Aime Wichtendahl oral history collection

 Collection
Identifier: IWA1347
Scope and Contents The Aime Wichtendahl oral history collection consists of the recording and transcript of one oral history interview conducted with Wichtendahl by Kate Orazem in 2023. The collection also contains a business card and a button representing Wichtendahl's campaign promotional materials.In her oral history interview, Wichtendahl discusses the development of her political beliefs, campaigns, and her experiences as a city councilor for Hiawatha, Iowa. Municipal topics covered in the interview include the passage of a higher minimum wage for Linn County in 2017, zoning and housing development, and strategies Wichtendahl used to lower property taxes while maintaining service levels in her community. Wichtendahl also narrates her personal biography, including reflections on growing up trans in an Iowa Christian family, memories of political awakening, her coming-out process, her divorce, and parenthood. She provides her analysis of anti-trans legislation in Iowa in the 2020s and...
Dates: 2023

Audio recording, January 14, 2020

 Item
Scope and Contents

Audio recording of an interview with Iowa state legislator Liz Bennett about her legislative service, male attitudes toward women in politics, being one of Iowa's first openly LGBTQ+ politicians, and advice for other women running for office.

Dates: January 14, 2020

Audio recording, January 14, 2020

 Item
Scope and Contents

Audio recording of an interview with Iowa state legislator Molly Donahue about her legislative service, male attitudes towards women officeholders, and differences between the political parties in terms of gender roles.

Dates: January 14, 2020

Transcript, January 14, 2020

 Item
Scope and Contents

Transcript of an interview with Iowa state legislator Liz Bennett about her legislative service, male attitudes toward women in politics, being one of Iowa's first openly LGBTQ+ politicians, and advice for other women running for office.

Dates: January 14, 2020

Transcript, January 14, 2020

 Item
Scope and Contents

Transcript of an interview with Iowa state legislator Molly Donahue about her legislative service, male attitudes towards women officeholders, and differences between the political parties in terms of gender roles.

Dates: January 14, 2020

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 5
Collection 1
 
Subject
Democratic Party (Iowa) 5
Linn County (Iowa) 5
Women politicians--Iowa 5
Cedar Rapids (Iowa) 4
Sexism in political culture 4