Dandekar named head of National Order of Women Legislators

Iowa District 18 Senator Swati Dandekar (D-Marion) was recently named as president-elect of the National Order of Women Legislators (NOWL), the largest organization of women legislators in the country.

The NOWL is an arm of the National Foundation of Women Legislators (NFWL) and works through the NFWL to provide educational resources and public policy materials to women elected as officials at all levels of government from every state.

"I am honored that my colleagues across the country have entrusted me with the responsibility of leading the organization throughout this next year," said Dandekar. "I am looking forward to building relationships across state lines in order to address vital public policy issues."

Important issues to Dandekar include creating higher standards for public schools, re-energizing local economies through innovative community and state initiatives, investment in strengthening telecommunications, developing clean and renewable energy technologies, and access to healthcare.

A longtime Marion resident, Dandekar served two terms on the Linn-Mar Community School District school board prior to being elected as state representative of Iowa House District 36 in 2002. Winning reelection in 2004 and 2006, she was elected to the Senate District 18 seat previously held by the late Mary Lundby in November 2008.

"Senator Dandekar is an impassioned leader," NFWL President and CEO Robin Read said. "As she takes the helm of the Executive Committee, she will be an incredible asset to the growth of the Foundation and I am confident that with her commitment this will be one of the most exciting and productive years that NFWL has seen."