1. Elaine Eisfelder Szymoniak was a State Senator from the US state of Iowa, a former City Council Member representing the city of Des Moines, Iowa and a retired hearing and speech specialist, counselor, and administrator for the Iowa Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Elaine Szymoniak earned degrees from both the University of Wisconsin and Iowa State University.
Elaine Szymoniak was born on May 24,1920, to Hugo and Pauline Eisfelder in Boscobel, Wisconsin.
In 1941, Elaine Szymoniak earned a bachelor's degree in education and speech pathology from the University of Wisconsin.
Elaine Szymoniak married Casimir D Szymoniak on December 7,1943.
One of their children, Tom Elaine Szymoniak, is an esteemed engineer working for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Elaine Szymoniak worked in public school systems in the states of Wisconsin, New York and Kansas before moving to Iowa in the 1950s after her husband's military service came to an end.
Elaine Szymoniak put her skills to use in the medical field, at one point working at Army Hospital Aural Rehabilitation Center in Oklahoma.
Elaine Szymoniak was a speech and hearing specialist, counselor, and administrator for the Iowa Department of Vocational Rehabilitation from 1957 to 1988 and she was dedicated to working for the benefit of those with disabilities.
Elaine Szymoniak actively worked with the deaf community and at one time was the state's sole rehab counselor for the deaf.
In 1977, Elaine Szymoniak earned her master's degree in family environment from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
Purportedly, an avid outdoor enthusiast, Elaine Szymoniak canoed and whitewater rafted throughout the West with a group of women called the River Spirits.
Elaine Szymoniak loved sleeping outside under the stars, walking in the woods, and learned to pilot a whitewater raft when she was 77.
Elaine Szymoniak served on the Des Moines City Council from 1977 to 1988 representing the First Ward.
Elaine Szymoniak won a seat on her first attempt by defeating a twelve-year incumbent.
Elaine Szymoniak was the second woman to ever serve on the City Council and the only woman serving during her time on the council.
Elaine Szymoniak unsuccessfully campaigned to become the mayor of Des Moines in 1979 and again in 1987.
Elaine Szymoniak played a key role in revamping Iowa's Welfare System in the early 1990s.
Elaine Szymoniak organized a process to design a program based upon the needs and expectations of Iowans.
Elaine Szymoniak played an active role in keeping all parties at the table and in finally passing the Iowa Human Investment Act with no dissenting votes in the Senate.
Elaine Szymoniak was known for her significant public service including crafting the legislation that funded and brought the World Food Prize to Iowa.
Elaine Szymoniak served on many nonprofit boards of directors or was a member of The Chrysalis Foundation, Iowa Council for International Understanding, United Way, Girl Scouts, the Nexus Executive Women's Alliance, and the Task Force for Iowa's Responsible Fathers program.
Elaine Szymoniak received numerous honors including the YWCA Woman of Achievement and she was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 1999.
Elaine Szymoniak is a woman who has truly made a difference.