The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING JENN RIGGS AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK
______
HON. CYNTHIA AXNE
of iowa
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Jenn Riggs, founder of Wander Women Iowa, as Iowan of the Week.
Jenn was born and raised in Iowa in a family with a real love of the outdoors. As a child, her family would take day trips to explore Iowa's many parks and recreational areas. Her grandmother worked at a state-
run rest area educating visitors about Iowa's outdoor spaces and tourism opportunities, and Jenn would join her on the job. All of these experiences bestowed in Jenn a deep appreciation of Iowa's natural beauty and a drive to spend more time outside.
Prior to founding Wander Women, Jenn worked as a sustainability coordinator at the Des Moines Area Community College's Urban Campus in Des Moines and helped students set up various sustainability efforts. One of her favorite projects was the establishment of a half-acre food forest on campus in the heart of Iowa's largest metro area. She and the students involved learned about permaculture as the project developed, and today the half-acre forest boasts fruitful apple trees, different perennial food sources, and more.
The idea for Wander Women was years in the making. After many conversations with friends and community members and receiving a plethora of good guidance, Jenn officially made the leap into small business ownership when she founded the company in 2018. It's only grown since then.
Wander Women Iowa connects, guides, and empowers women through all-
inclusive camping and hiking trips throughout Iowa. The goal of the business is to help women find community in the natural world and with one another in lasting, meaningful forms, It also empowers women by building confidence and learning important skills from other women within the outdoor recreation world, which is typically very male-
dominated. Jenn also hopes bestowing a love of Iowa's natural wonders and outdoor recreation will help retain more young families in the state.
Jenn believes there is power and magic when women gather, and is dedicated to creating a path to the outdoor world for everyone. The ladies participating in Wander Women trips come from all walks of life, gather in the woods without technology or preconceived notions, and can simply be themselves while fully immersing in nature and the experience. It's been transformative for participants, many of whom have since become involved in other initiatives like volunteering and advocacy, have stayed connected to other women in the group, and have taken their friends and family members to these wild spaces to share their joy and appreciation.
The success of Wander Women is remarkable. The small business started with nine trips its first year, and has since grown to 44 trips planned for this year between backpacking trips, paddling trips, and educational courses across the state. Jenn brought on a co-owner, Kerri Sorrell, and they now have 14 female trip guides and a new, part-time employee.
When she's not working on trips and initiatives through Wander Women, Jenn remains passionately involved in environmental issues and advocacy. She also keeps busy caring for her two young kids and enjoys sharing her love of Iowa's outdoor spaces with her children. Her daughter, already a brave outdoor adventurer, has even asked about taking over Wander Women someday.
As we collectively breathe a sigh of relief at the coming of spring and Women's History Month draws to a close, I am happy to honor this strong, adventurous woman who dreamt of connecting more women with Iowa's wild spaces and then made that dream a reality. In sharing her love and knowledge of Iowa's natural heritage, Jenn is bringing a community of women together to help preserve these spaces and pass along the appreciation to future generations. I'm inspired by Jenn and the brave ladies of Wander Women Iowa and am proud to name her Iowan of the Week.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 162(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 162(2)
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
House Representatives' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
Alerts Sign-up