When Iowa lawmakers started their legislative session this month, 35 women were among those reporting to the Capitol. That matches the state's record for women in the 150-member General Assembly.
But despite increasing their numbers in Des Moines over the years, women in Iowa continue to struggle with a political glass ceiling. The state has never elected a women governor and is one of just four states to never send a woman to Congress.
Insiders cite many likely reasons for why Iowa politics remains a boys club. Among them are the lack of term limits in the governor's office and the low turnover of the state's congressional seats. Women's groups are working to recruit more candidates to run for office.
