Two years ago today, I started working at the Business Record part time. Emily Barske had asked if I had wanted to do some multimedia work for BR in the interim while they were in the process of hiring someone for a senior staff writer position. I was only meant to work there until April. I was at my desk in the newsroom for nine days before we all packed up our things and worked from home. April came up fast, and I somehow managed to stay on staff throughout the spring, helping with COVID coverage whenever I could. At the end of April, Emily asked if I would lead the Business Record’s coverage on women’s and gender issues as the LiftIOWA newsletter rebranded into the Fearless initiative. I didn’t say yes immediately, because at the time, I hadn’t done a lot of beat reporting and I wasn’t yet confident in my writing skills – I had spent the previous 5 years on a fast track to being a photo or video journalist, so my camera was the only storytelling tool I had been truly comfortable with. However, Emily has an undefeated track record of convincing me to do things outside of my comfort zone, so I said yes. (In college, she ushered me into the managing editor role at the Iowa State Daily, despite me wanting to stay in my own lane as visuals editor). The rest is history! I was eventually hired on full time in February 2021 with an official job title of Fearless Editor and Special Projects Producer. Since then, I’ve reported and written more stories than I can keep track of. I’ve analyzed the representation of women in leadership positions in Iowa, shed light on the child care crisis in the state and detailed the Child Care Task Force recommendations. I’ve talked with physicians on the front lines of the pandemic, people working to drive down the Black maternal mortality rate, LGBTQ+ leaders, mutual aid organizers and politicians. I’ve shared stories of fearless Iowans who are domestic violence survivors, small business owners, refugees, U.S. ambassadors, cancer survivors, judo rokudans, trans women and single mothers. I’ve also managed to stay true to my visual roots and have worked on both photo and video portraits for dsm Magazine, featuring profiles of LGBTQ Legacy Leaders, Sages Over 70, frontline workers and food insecure Iowans. I’m proud of the work I’ve done so far and proud of myself for saying yes to something that scared me. It’s a tremendous honor and privilege to share these stories and hold the responsibility of informing Iowans on women’s and gender issues. Here’s to the next two years!
This does not surprise me. Barske has a way. It's been a pleasure to work with you ... and Barske. And I look forward to more.
I hope more than the next two years! :)
Congratulations and thank you for all of your work in lifting up women and amplifying women issues!
Thanks for the great work you do and the way you tell stories through writing to keep us all informed!
Congratulations on your journey! You have much to be proud of.
Tea C.
2y
.I have this page ripped out and hanging in my cubicle to give me strength! .Thank you for all you do and congratulations!
Love this feature! You're serving an important purpose and finding great stories to tell. Keep up the great work!
You have had an enormous influence in those two short years. Congrats on all your success, I look forward to seeing what the future holds!
CEO, Board Director, Author. I write about leadership and organizational transformation, culture and governance.
2yI love this! You’re a rock star and we are so glad you are on the team. We are lucky to have Emily Barske as a strong (persuasive) leader as well. The content you create makes a difference! Happy 2 years!