DES MOINES, Iowa — From pioneering achievements in television broadcasting, to social activists and disability rights advocates, women from Iowa have championed for change all throughout history.
That's why the Civics in Action exhibit at the State Historical museum of Iowa showcases their work and hopes to continue encouraging women and girls in Iowa to make their mark on the world.
For 40 years, Betty Lou Varnum was a staple in Iowa broadcasting, hosting a variety of programs on WOI-TV.
"[She was] a really important journalist in Iowa history who wanted to tell stories that help people better understand the issues in Iowa culture and in United States culture," said state curator Leo Landis.
While most well-known for “The House with the Magic Window,” a children's education program, Varnum also hosted “Dimension 5,” a public affairs talk show.
"She wasn't just valued in central Iowa. She was valued nationally as a journalist," Landis said. "So, a lot of Iowans who are in their 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s know her story, but often because it's only in 'The House with the Magic Window' and she really needs to be remembered for her other journalism work."
Varnum is one of the featured Iowans in the Civics in Action exhibit, along with Mia Peterson, a woman with Down Syndrome who advocated for disability rights.
"She testified before the U.S. Senate on two different occasions for the American with Disabilities Act and some other issues connected to developmental disabilities," Landis said.
While living in Cincinnati, Peterson was chosen to run the Olympic torch through parts of the city for the Salt Lake City Games.
When she died, her parents donated her torch to the museum.
"So, the Olympic torch that's in our collection belongs to the people of Iowa to help share and preserve this story for generations to come," Landis said.
Another civil icon, Maria Pearson, fought for Native American burial rights.
"Three different governors worked with her to help protect American Indian rights in Iowa, and she was viewed as a respected member of the community," Landis said.
Thanks in part to Pearson’s work, Iowa became the first state to enact a law protecting ancient burial sites in 1976.
"Stories like Maria Pearson can remind us that even 50 years ago, or more recently, there was discrimination against how Native American burials were treated,” Landis said.
According to Landis, the exhibit is meant to showcase the diverse stories and work Iowans have done and inspire future generations to continue to make change.
"We want to make sure that Iowans see their stories," Landis said. "We want Iowans to understand it's been people have a lot of different backgrounds who have shaped our state and made it a better place for all of us."
The Civics in Action exhibit opened back in the fall.
It features many other stories of Iowa women, like those of Gertrude Rush, a nationally significant Black lawyer; Jessie Field Shambaugh, a founder of 4-H, and Carolyn Pendray, the first woman elected to the Iowa House and Iowa Senate.