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HONORING JENNIFER CARRUTHERS AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK
______
HON. CYNTHIA AXNE
of iowa
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jennifer Carruthers as Iowan of the Week. Jen is a female LGBTQ entrepreneur, strong advocate, dedicated mentor and passionate community leader for Iowa.
Born and raised in Rock Island, IL, Jen studied at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management with a focus on Urban Economic Development. She then went on to make her home in Des Moines, spending the last decade advocating for marginalized communities. Through her business 11 Eleven Productions, she was pivotal in launching and developing the female-led barber shop, Dapper DSM. Jen also founded Drag King DSM, which draws top performers and sell-out crowds in a marginalized art form. Over the last 10 years at Girls Rock! Des Moines, she has developed programming which now offers two summer camps and year-round services including the second all-female-led recording studio in the country. Her outstanding leadership in Iowa has been deservedly recognized by multiple community organizations.
Jen has been instrumental organizing and leading Capital City Pride
(CCP), which has become the largest LGBTQ+ gathering in Iowa and one of the fastest growing Pride's in the country.
During her time leading Capital City Pride, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way communities celebrate, but Jen knew the importance of celebrating Pride together. In 2020, she led the board in putting together some of their most beloved Pride Fest events virtually to ensure LGBTQ+ community-building continued. This programming engaged just shy of 30,000 people, providing critical connectivity during the height of the pandemic.
This June, Jen led the Capital City Pride board through 30 Days of Pride remaining cognizant of COVID-19. Events held across Des Moines included a mix of online and in person events allowing people to participate to their comfort level. Some popular additions this year included a Downtown Scavenger Hunt, the Rainbow Safari at Blank Park Zoo, Ride in Movie night at the Science Center and a Drive Thru Parade with Outdoor Concert at Waterworks Park. Favorites from year's past like the Silent Disco, Pet Parade and Pride Night with the I-Cubs brought people together in familiar ways.
As June and 30 Days of Pride ended this year, it culminated with another Drag King DSM production. But Jen is just getting started; started in another year of advocating, of educating, of learning, of uplifting others, and most of all, another year of celebrating Pride.
I look forward to 2022 and beyond to see what Jen will accomplish for the Iowa community, and it is my honor to name Jennifer Carruthers our Iowan of the Week.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 133
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
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