The Legacy of Heroines program has been providing scholarships to hard-working and exceptional students who are interested in public service and politics since 1996. As a Legacy of Heroines scholar, students receive a one-year scholarship split between two semesters. Scholars have the opportunity to renew their scholarships provided they continue to fulfill the criteria and funds are available. One fund may be awarded as an internship or scholarship.
The 2020-2021 Legacy of Heroines scholars are:
Jaden Ahlrichs is a sophomore majoring in global resource systems and environmental studies. He is from Pocahontas, Iowa, and acts as a Cyclone Aide on campus. He is also director of events for the Inter-Residence Hall Association. He is the recipient of the Meylor Family Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. As a recipient, he hopes to grow connections and learn from those who have received the scholarship in past years.
Heather Baier is a junior studying mechanical engineering. She is from Altoona, Iowa, and is a recipient of the Phyllis Davis Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. She applied for the scholarship after seeing signs from the Carrie Chapman Catt Center encouraging students to get out and vote. She believes that encouraging college students to vote is crucial and wanted to see what she could do to become more involved. She hopes that through this scholarship, she is able to build connections and become a prominent leader on Iowa State’s campus.
Molly Blanco is an Iowa State sophomore double majoring in Spanish and journalism & mass communication. A Burlington, Iowa, native, Blanco is this year’s recipient of the James R. and Lauri K. Young Choral Music Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. On campus, she is the performing arts director for the Student Union Board as well as a reporter for the Iowa State Daily. Her favorite Iowa State memory is making friends with the people in her residence hall over the span of her freshman year.
Megan Brown is the recipient of the Jane Greimann Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. She is currently a junior at Iowa State studying environmental engineering. As a recipient, she is excited to meet and make connections with fellow Legacy of Heroines scholars.
Kathryn Burns is a sophomore double majoring in political science and Spanish. She is this year’s recipient of the Political Science Alumni Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. Burns is a Dubuque, Iowa, native and acts as a peer mentor for undecided students in the College of Human Sciences. After her time at Iowa State, Burns hopes to begin a career in politics on a large scale.
Delaney Conrad is a junior studying animal science. This year, she is a recipient of the Claire B. Andreasen Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. Conrad is a research analyst for the Veterinary Medical Research Institute in Ames. Her favorite Iowa State memory is getting hired and working in swine vaccine research at the institute. At work, she assists in running vaccine trials, conducting necropsy and data analysis.
Nyamal Diew is a junior with a double major in biology and psychology. From South Sioux City, Nebraska, she is a recipient of the Helen Jensen Howe Legacy of Heroines Scholarship for Women in Science. One of her favorite Iowa State memories was working as a Destination Iowa State leader during her sophomore year. As a recipient, Diew hopes to become more involved within the Catt Center in the coming year.
Madeline Farringer is a senior from Freeport, Illinois. She is studying biochemistry at Iowa State and is a recipient of the Helen Jensen Howe Legacy of Heroines Scholarship for Women in Science. On campus, she is an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Josh Beck’s lab, a speaker chair for the Stupka Symposium Planning Committee, and secretary of the Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Undergraduate Club. The recipients before her were her inspiration to apply. Being a recipient herself, she strives to be a role model like other women in the program.
Morgan Fritz is a junior at Iowa State and the recipient of the Katherine Bruntlett Annin Scholarship. She is a Lake Mills, Iowa, native studying political science. She is president of ISU Student Government, and hopes to meet women who are impacting different areas of politics so that she can learn more about who they are and what they do.
Teagan Gara is a junior at Iowa State studying journalism and mass communication. She is this year’s recipient of the Sharon and Alice Rodine Leadership and Advocacy Internship. On campus, Gara works as an intern at the Catt Center and is excited to make connections with other scholarship recipients.
Meg Grice is a junior studying journalism & mass communication and international studies, with minors in business and French. From Humboldt, Iowa, she is one of this year’s recipients of the Elizabeth Hoffman and Brian R. Binger Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. She works in the College of Design as a communications intern, and aspires to work abroad someday, handling corporate affairs for a global organization or leading public information initiatives in the government sector.
Peyton Hamel is a sophomore studying genetics with a minor in English. She is from Littleton, Colorado, and is a recipient of the Elizabeth Hoffman and Brian R. Binger Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. She is involved in many activities on campus, including working as an undergraduate lab assistant for Dr. Owens Wilson and as opinion editor for the Iowa State Daily. By receiving this scholarship, Hamel hopes to increase scientific and political discussion in the real world.
Madelyn Huinker is a senior studying both communication and environmental studies and one of this year’s recipient of the Helen Jensen Howe Legacy of Heroines Scholarship for Women in Science. An Iowa City, Iowa, native, she applied for the Legacy of Heroines Scholarship after being inspired to fight for policy change to mitigate the harmful impacts of climate change. On campus, she is the director of diversity, equity and inclusion for Iowa State Dance Marathon. Her favorite part about Iowa State is its long-standing traditions.
Grace Jakes is studying both animal science and global resource systems here at Iowa State. A junior, Jakes is a recipient of the Claire B. Andreasen Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. On campus, she works in undergraduate research in the animal science department and as an animal science peer mentor. Overall, she hopes to become more engaged and promote fellow student engagement in local, regional, state and national government processes.
Grace Johnson is an Iowa State junior studying public relations. Minoring in political science, Johnson decided to get involved with the Catt Center. She is a recipient of the Phyllis Davis Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. Her favorite thing about Iowa State is the diversity within the community. On campus, she is president for the organization Students Demand Action.
Natalie Jones is a senior studying political science and is a recipient of the Kedrowski and Fitzgerald Family Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. She is from Nashotah, Wisconsin, and is a political science research assistant on campus. Jones applied for this scholarship in hopes to connect with others within the program. As a student, she loves that Iowa State provides such a strong community.
Rachel Junck is a senior at Iowa State studying chemical engineering, while concurrently pursuing a master’s in business administration. This year, she is a recipient of the Rice-Neville Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. An Ames native, Junck’s favorite memory is getting elected to the City Council in a runoff election and celebrating with her friends, family and campaign volunteers at Jeff’s Pizza.
Abigail Mankins is a first-year master’s of education student at Iowa State. She is from Des Moines, Iowa, and works as a graduate assistant director at the Writing and Media Center. This year, she received the Elizabeth Hoffman and Brian R. Binger Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. As a graduate student, Mankins’ goal is to take what she learns in her master’s of education student affairs program to create more inclusive and socially just higher education departments and institutions.
Tamara McConnell is a sophomore majoring in geology with a minor in African American studies from Kansas City, Kansas. McConnell received the Helen Jensen Howe Legacy of Heroines Scholarship for Women in Science. She is heavily involved in the organization Building Relationships In Christ Soteria, serving as the organization’s president. Her favorite part about Iowa State is the kindness that the faculty shows its students, and her favorite Iowa State memory is her experience at Destination Iowa State during her freshman year.
Lena Menefee-Cook is a senior from Prescott, Arizona. Studying performing arts, art and design, and international studies, she was awarded this year’s Maxine M. Burch Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. On campus, she acts as a communication consultant at the Writing and Media Center. Her favorite Iowa State memory is attending the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Sioux Falls with her department in January.
Gabriela Nieves-Colon is from Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, and is a senior at Iowa State. She is studying animal science and is one of this year’s recipients of the Claire B. Andreasen Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. Her interest in politics and the workings of the government drove her to get involved.
Anna Olson is a sophomore double-majoring in journalism & mass communication and political science. The Boone, Iowa, native is a recipient of the Kedrowski and Fitzgerald Family Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. On campus, Olson is the senior director of communications for the Student Government and an Iowa State Daily reporter. She is passionate about women’s rights and thought this scholarship would allow her the chance to sit and talk to women that have the same interests, as well as allow her to learn and grow from them.
Nicole Schmitt is a junior from Holy Cross, Iowa, double-majoring in psychology and English, and is the recipient of the Beth Bierbaum Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. This scholarship is important to her because she believes that being involved in politics and acquiring knowledge on this topic is of the utmost importance as a student and citizen.
Amy Smith is a senior in political science who is concurrently pursuing a master’s degree in political science. Hailing from Earlham, Iowa, Smith wants to make a difference in the United States government. She was awarded the Haselhoff Family Legacy of Heroines Scholarship.
Jessica Stabler is a junior double-majoring in political science and business management, and is this year’s recipient of the Carrie Chapman Catt Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. A Colorado Springs, Colorado, native, Stabler appreciates the scholarship for its focus on women interested in politics. She hopes that this scholarship gives her the chance to learn, grow and connect with those around her.
Kaylee Van Maanen is a senior studying agricultural business. From Lynnville, Iowa, she is the recipient of the Joanne and Charles Kuster Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. On campus, she is the treasurer of the Iowa Corn Growers Collegiate Club, and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences council representative for the Agricultural Marketing and Management Organization. Her favorite part about Iowa State is the atmosphere of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Amy Yager is a senior studying child, adult and family services from Coon Rapids, Iowa. On campus, she is involved in Phi Upsilon Omicron and the Human Development and Family Services Club. She is a recipient of the Rice-Neville Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. She applied for this scholarship because she is very passionate about issues related to children and wanted to connect with other women in politics to strengthen her understanding and political advocacy skills.
Thank you to Elyse Davis, public relations/events planning intern for the Catt Center, for writing this story and taking several of the photographs.