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Avenson, Don (1944-2017)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1944 - 2017

Biography

Donald D. Avenson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to parents Donald C. and Wilma on September 16, 1944. The family soon moved to Oelwine, Iowa, where Avenson graduated from high school in 1962. At the age of 20, he married Diane Mary Duda; the couple had three children. Avenson earned a bachelors degrees in political schience and history from the University of Wisconsin—River Falls in 1970, and conducted graduate work in history at the University of Northern Iowa from 1971-1972. He worked as an office manager at his family's company, Oelwine Tool and Die, stepping into the president role in 1984. In 1972, he was elected as a Democrat to represent parts of Fayette, Chickasaw, and Bremer counties in the Iowa House of Representatives, retiring after nine terms in 1991. He served as House Minority Leader from 1979-1982 and Speaker of the Iowa House from 1983-1990. As Speaker, Avenson oversaw the passage of laws that created new low-interest farm loan programs, expanded the telecommunications network in the state, and established new environmental protections for groundwater. In 1990, Avenson ran for governor of Iowa, losing to Terry Branstad. He passed away in 2017.

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:

Audio recording, December 5, 2019

 Item
Scope and Contents

Audio recording of a tribute to Iowa state legislator Betty Jean "BeJe" Clark composed and read by her friend Mary Ellen Miller. The tribute discusses a variety of topics, including: Clark's childhood; her role in opposing the legalization of pari-mutuel betting in Iowa; her mentorship of legislative pages on how to handle sexual harassment from male legislators; the legislative women's caucus; the transition away from six-on-six girls' basketball; her relationships with other women legislators, including Betty Hoffman, Pat Thompson, and Nancy Shimanek; and her Methodist faith.

Dates: December 5, 2019

Audio recording, September 16, 2019

 Item
Scope and Contents

Audio recording of an interview with Iowa state legislator Elaine Baxter about her service as a legislator and secretary of state, male attitudes toward women in politics, and the strengths women bring to political office.

Dates: September 16, 2019

Transcript, December 5, 2019

 Item
Scope and Contents

Transcript of a tribute to Iowa state legislator Betty Jean "BeJe" Clark composed and read by her friend Mary Ellen Miller. The tribute discusses a variety of topics, including: Clark's childhood; her role in opposing the legalization of pari-mutuel betting in Iowa; her mentorship of legislative pages on how to handle sexual harassment from male legislators; the legislative women's caucus; the transition away from six-on-six girls' basketball; her relationships with other women legislators, including Betty Hoffman, Pat Thompson, and Nancy Shimanek; and her Methodist faith.

Dates: December 5, 2019

Transcript, September 16, 2019

 Item
Scope and Contents

Transcript of an interview with Iowa state legislator Elaine Baxter about her legislative service, time as Iowa's secretary of state, and advice for other women running for office.

Dates: September 16, 2019

Additional filters:

Subject
Basketball for girls 2
Burlington (Iowa) 2
Cerro Gordo County (Iowa) 2
City council members 2
Constitutions--Iowa 2