Janet Carl was born in 1948 in Atlantic, Iowa. She was involved in theater, journalism, and the Young Republicans throughout high school. Following her graduation, she went to the University of Iowa, studying sociology and psychology and serving in student senate. During her time in Iowa City, she was involved in anti-Vietnam war protests and causes. After earning her BA in Sociology and Psychology, Carl traveled and worked in Washington, D. C. She later returned to the University of Iowa, completing an MA in Student Personnel Administration in 1973.She went on to work in student affairs at several colleges, including Grinnell, where, in 1980, she was recruited to run for office for the first time. A young woman who had registered for the Democratic primary for a seat representing Iowa, Poweshiek, and Tama Counties in the legislature had been accepted to law school and had to drop out. She wanted another woman to replace her and asked Carl to join the race. She did, as a write-in candidate, and won the election. In 1982, redistricting shifted Carl into District 53, representing Iowa and Poweshiek counties. She defeated Republican incumbent Phil Tyrell for the seat in a close election. While serving in the legislature, Carl focused on a range of issues, notably child welfare, adoption, and equity in insurance. She expanded legislation on law enforcement response to missing children, a topic at the forefront of Iowans’ minds following the 1982 abduction of Johnny Gosch in West Des Moines. Carl collaborated with Noreen Gosch, Johnny’s mother, to educate communities about child safety. She also worked on increasing registration standards for in-home childcare facilities and advocated for juvenile justice reform. Carl was reelected for a third and final term in 1984, continuing to work on adoptee rights and insurance reform. After leaving the House, Carl continued working in student affairs at Grinnell College until her retirement in 2018.