Member profile: Rep. Helen Miller
State Representative Helen Miller (D-Fort Dodge) is serving her third term in the Iowa House of Representatives. She represents the 49th House District which includes Fort Dodge, Badger, Duncombe and Vincent. Miller serves on the Agriculture, Economic Growth, Environmental Protection, Veterans’ Affairs and International Relations Committees, and is also an assistant majority leader.
Helen Miller has accumulated more than 25 years of experience and leadership in such capacities as volunteer, mediator, legislative bill drafter, attorney, arts educator and board member of numerous organizations. She volunteers as the Executive Director of Young At Art, a nonprofit, community arts education and enrichment program, based in Fort Dodge. This organization sponsors the annual Artful Dodger Project.
Miller is particularly interest in the economic growth of her district and the completion of highway 20. She has been instrumental in promoting economic development in Iowa. Legislation she crafted has led to the development of an ATV park in Fort Dodge (2003) and the funding of a fuel quality-testing laboratory at Iowa Central Community College (2006). A House Resolution she co-sponsored calling for the completion of Highway 20 passed the Iowa House during the 2003 session.
A particular interest in economic development spurred by the arts has resulted in her efforts to bring the message of the value of art and culture to the Statehouse. For the past 5 years she has brought the Artful Dodger project exhibit to the Statehouse. In addition, she has organized and held legislative breakfasts to promote and encourage legislators to consider and include the arts in any legislation brought forward. During the 2006 session, she authored legislation which resulted in a report to the Governor and General Assembly on the Status of Out-of-School Arts Programming for Youth in Iowa.
She currently serves on the boards of Young At Art and the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility Community Task Force in Fort Dodge. Nationally, she is the Agriculture Committee Chair for the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), and serves on the boards of the State Rural and Agricultural Leaders (SARL) and the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL/Women). Miller is a graduate of Leadership Washington (DC), Leadership Iowa, the Flemming Leadership Institute and the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD). She is also a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, and a member of the Links Inc. and Junior League.
