[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 133 (Thursday, July 29, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E843]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING JENNIFER CARRUTHERS AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 29, 2021

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jennifer Carruthers 
as Iowan of the Week. Jen is a female LGBTQ entrepreneur, strong 
advocate, dedicated mentor and passionate community leader for Iowa.
  Born and raised in Rock Island, IL, Jen studied at St. Ambrose 
University in Davenport, IA receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Business 
Management with a focus on Urban Economic Development. She then went on 
to make her home in Des Moines, spending the last decade advocating for 
marginalized communities. Through her business 11 Eleven Productions, 
she was pivotal in launching and developing the female-led barber shop, 
Dapper DSM. Jen also founded Drag King DSM, which draws top performers 
and sell-out crowds in a marginalized art form. Over the last 10 years 
at Girls Rock! Des Moines, she has developed programming which now 
offers two summer camps and year-round services including the second 
all-female-led recording studio in the country. Her outstanding 
leadership in Iowa has been deservedly recognized by multiple community 
organizations.
  Jen has been instrumental organizing and leading Capital City Pride 
(CCP), which has become the largest LGBTQ+ gathering in Iowa and one of 
the fastest growing Pride's in the country.
  During her time leading Capital City Pride, the COVID-19 pandemic 
changed the way communities celebrate, but Jen knew the importance of 
celebrating Pride together. In 2020, she led the board in putting 
together some of their most beloved Pride Fest events virtually to 
ensure LGBTQ+ community-building continued. This programming engaged 
just shy of 30,000 people, providing critical connectivity during the 
height of the pandemic.
  This June, Jen led the Capital City Pride board through 30 Days of 
Pride remaining cognizant of COVID-19. Events held across Des Moines 
included a mix of online and in person events allowing people to 
participate to their comfort level. Some popular additions this year 
included a Downtown Scavenger Hunt, the Rainbow Safari at Blank Park 
Zoo, Ride in Movie night at the Science Center and a Drive Thru Parade 
with Outdoor Concert at Waterworks Park. Favorites from year's past 
like the Silent Disco, Pet Parade and Pride Night with the I-Cubs 
brought people together in familiar ways.
  As June and 30 Days of Pride ended this year, it culminated with 
another Drag King DSM production. But Jen is just getting started; 
started in another year of advocating, of educating, of learning, of 
uplifting others, and most of all, another year of celebrating Pride.
  I look forward to 2022 and beyond to see what Jen will accomplish for 
the Iowa community, and it is my honor to name Jennifer Carruthers our 
Iowan of the Week.

                          ____________________