Dates

• Existence: 1936-

Biography

Joan Egenes, clubwoman, community leader, fundraiser, Republican Party activist, businesswoman, photographer, and substitute teacher, was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1936. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 1958 and began teaching at Ft. Dodge High School and Ft. Dodge Junior College. Egenes joined and led a wide variety of organizations in central Iowa. In 1965, she became the cofounder of the Iowa City Parents Preschool. In the early 1970s, Egenes was the president of the Webster City Jaycee Jaynes, the Ft. Dodge District Dental Auxiliary, the Boone Women's Club, and the Boone Council of Parent Teacher Associations. Egenes was active in the Republican Party throughout the 1980s and 1990s. She began her active campaigning for the Republicans in 1980 by serving as the Boone County co-chairman to elect George Bush for President. In 1987, after serving on various committees to elect Republican candidates, Egenes became Club Development Chairman of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women. By 1990, she had attained the presidency of the Iowa Fourth District Republican Women. In 1994, Egenes became president of the Polk County Republican Women.

Joan Egenes was also a business owner. She oversaw her business, Global Education Services, from 1992 to 1997. The Des Moines-based business consortium organized cruises and tours, ran seminars, and represented artist Shixi Zhou, a Chinese watercolorist from Shanghai. Her business interests led Egenes to take an active role in the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce. She became the chair of fundraising for the Chamber Alliance in 1995, and successfully raised money for the Iowa Science Center. In 1996, Egenes turned her organizing prowess to the Des Moines Metro Opera Guild. She became president of the guild in 1996. This organization allowed her to profitably combine her interests in education and fundraising.

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