The Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics welcomed Melissa Martin as a new administrative assistant in August.
Most recently the manager of the RAYGUN retail store in Ames, Martin brings a wealth of experience in administrative support, office management, and event planning to the Catt Center. Martin, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in music from Central College, also previously served as a karaoke DJ and event coordinator at Time Out in Ames and as an administrative professional and substitute teacher for the Ames Community School District.
“Melissa brings great personal and professional skills to this position. We’re thrilled to have her on the team,” said Karen Kedrowski, center director.
At the Catt Center, Martin will be assisting in the planning of Catt Center events and programs, managing the Plaza of Heroines and the “Toward a Universal Suffrage” traveling exhibit, helping to coordinate the annual Carrie Chapman Catt Prize for Research on Women and Politics, supporting the center’s student voter engagement efforts, assisting with donor relations, and providing office management and administrative support for the center’s staff.
“The moment I met the Catt Center team I felt a sense of belonging. It’s a privilege to join a supportive department that actively takes steps to make important events and resources available to all students and Iowa State University personnel,” Martin said. “As said by former first lady Michelle Obama, ‘There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.’ I look forward to accomplishing a great deal to further the center’s mission.”
Outside the office, Martin is a musical theater enthusiast. Her favorite roles that she has played are Elsa from “The Sound of Music,” Mrs. Peacock in “Clue the Musical,” and Mary Poppins in “Mary Poppins” (in fact, you might spot her car with its “Poppins” license plate around Ames). Martin also loves to write poetry and lyrics. She lives in Ames and delights in spending time with her debonair cats, Admiral Ackbar and Nealon.