UNI NEWS SERVICES – The University of Northern Iowa welcomes the community to the 2nd Annual Cedar Valley Women’s March. Due to Covid-19 precautions, the march will shift its format to a virtual discussion and explore the intersections of feminism in the United States and Cedar Valley. 

A moderated panel, taking place virtually from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30, and will include Panelists Timi Brown-Powers, Toshia Burrell, Amanda Goodman with keynote speaker Reverend Belinda Creighton-Smith, an instructor within UNI’s Department of Social Work and Women’s and Gender Studies program and pastor of Faith Temple American Baptist Church.

Creighton-Smith is one of the first ordained African American female pastors in the Cedar Valley and a lifelong social justice advocate and activist. She also has been an anti-racism trainer for correctional and human service workers and professionals and also a diversity and inclusion facilitator.

Brown-Powers is the Iowa State Representative of House District 61 and has been an advocate for women’s rights. While at home in Waterloo, she spends time volunteering with the Youth City Council and mentoring young students from both West and East High School, along with UNI students.

Burrell is the co-founder and president of Embrace: Celebrating Diversity, the director of Employee Engagement at The Accel Group and the owner of Redefine & Reveal Massage Therapy and Bodywork. In Burrell's three years in the community, her efforts towards educating others about diversity, inclusion, and equity were rewarded as a recipient of the 2020 Top 20 under 40 Award.

Goodman is an Emmy-award winning journalist and executive director of Family & Children’s Council, the area’s child abuse prevention agency. As an outspoken advocate for children, she is working with state legislators to toughen the penalties against child predators. Because of her work, the YWCA of BHC recognized Goodman as the Youth Advocate of the Year. 

The Cedar Valley Women’s March is sponsored by UNI’s Women’s and Gender Studies program, which promotes healthy, engaged and successful LGBTQ+ students and allies, the Gender and Sexuality Services center and Northern Iowa Feminists, an organization that promotes gender equality and awareness of gender- and sex-related issues on campus. It is also sponsored by Black Hawk County NOW, a satellite of the National Organization for Women, and UNI Proud, a student organization at the University of Northern Iowa founded on the principles of promoting an inclusive and accepting campus environment for LGBTQIA+ individuals. 

Registration is required: http://bit.ly/CedarValleyMarch