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Catt Center for Women and Politics


Mission Statement

The Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics was founded in 1992 at Iowa State University to interest, educate and engage citizens in the political process. The Center honors Carrie Chapman Catt, a distinguished alumna of Iowa State, leader of the women's suffrage movement, crusader for international peace and an advocate for the expansion of women's rights throughout the world.

In carrying out Catt's work to educate voters, involve women in the political process and promote international understanding, the Center:

  • Offers leadership development, mentoring and educational opportunities to ISU students interested in politics, public service and women's issues through the Legacy of Heroines scholarship program, Catt Associates student leadership organization, ACT (Advancing Citizenship Together) freshman learning community, the Joni and John Axel Leadership Development Series of Seminars, and the development of a certificate program in Community Leadership and Public Service;
  • Fosters research on issues related to women and politics through the Archives of Women's Political Communication, annual Carrie Chapman Catt Prize for Research on Women and Politics, and studies conducted by Center staff and students.
  • Brings prominent women leaders, national and international scholars, and political activists and practitioners to campus for lectures, programs and seminars through the Mary Louise Smith Chair in Women and Politics and in collaboration with other programs with a focus on women's leadership, women and politics, and women's issues;
  • Encourages women to pursue careers in politics, public administration and public service through its mentoring and leadership development programs and by hosting the visits of local, state, national and international leaders who serve as mentors and role models.

In carrying out its mission, the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics works with faculty, staff and students in the Department of Political Science, Women's Studies Program, and Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication as well as with other departments throughout the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Iowa State University; leaders in the public and private sectors; and political and women's organizations throughout the university, state and nation. Thus, the Center's programs blend the resources and scholarship of the academic environment with the experiences of practitioners in fields important to the political process.