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Catt Center for Women and Politics


When Carrie Chapman Catt (1859-1947) graduated from Iowa State College in 1880, she was the only woman in her class - and the valedictorian. She struggled relentlessly for passage of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote in 1920, and founded the League of Women Voters.

To carry out her work to promote leadership and service, the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics offers serveral academic opportunities - the ACT (Advancing Citizenship Together) freshamn learning community, the Joni and John Axel Leadership Development seminars, and a proposed certificate in community leadership and public service currently under development by the Catt Center and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

ACT Learning Community for Freshman
The ACT (Advancing Citizenship Together) Learning Community seeks to increase participants' knowledge of political and women's issues and to encourage exploration of career opportunities in public service, public policy and administration. Participants take undergraduate speech communication and women's studies classes as a group and receive additional academic credit by participating in leadership training and community service through the Advancing Citizenship Together seminar (LAS 140x). In addition, ACT students will have special opportunities to meet local, national and international leaders who visit the Iowa State campus.

ACT Learning Community is open to female and male freshmen from all academic disciplines. Admission is awarded on the basis of interest, leadership experience, community service and academic merit. Students participating in the ACT Learning Community during their freshman year will also be able to easily transition into the Learning to Lead Learning Community if they choose.

For additional information please contact Chris Fowler, Program Coordinator, at 515-294-3181, cfowler@iastate.edu or by visiting 309 Catt Hall.

Axel Leadership Development Series

Certificate in Community Leadership and Public Service