We were scouring the Internet in search of groups — primarily in red states — who we might be able to offer support in their opposition to the Trump regime.
That’s when the Insufferable Wenches of Iowa’s name jumped out at us. How could we not contact this Indivisible chapter and try to learn what they’re doing in their part of Iowa?
Their chapter description reads like this: “Insufferable Wenches of Iowa is a statewide group that meets monthly in the Cedar Valley but travels statewide for events and protests. We welcome all! No matter your home district, gender, or age, you are welcome! We believe in serving our community and our goal is to build a community of insufferably progressive people who want to see a better more inclusive government. Congressional District: Iowa-02.”
Indivisible East Bay’s (IEB) Storytelling Team (STT) reached out to Heather and Leila of the Insufferable Wenches in mid-February. They emailed us back within a day! After some further back and forth, a small IEB Storytelling Team group met with them on Zoom in late February.
We listened and learned how they started their two-person chapter in late 2024 and expanded in the Cedar Valley. Fellow Iowans soon reached out to them — hungry for ideas and inspiration on how to stand up for each others’ rights. As we listened, we heard the passion and goal of starting a community that looks to build bridges, not tear apart lives.
Heather and Leila’s Facebook page is very interactive and stimulates a great deal of engagement. This is a testament to them. Using this social media tool, they’ve educated their part of Iowa about the bills winding through their state’s legislature. In some cases, when the bills were especially bad, or downright chilling, they encouraged fellow Iowans to go to the State Capitol to talk to their legislators and protest. They are among many groups that have protested the removal of civil rights protections for transgender Iowans. Iowa has the sad distinction of being the first state in the country to have removed these protections.
The Insufferable Wenches have already grown their community by thousands from the handful in late 2024! They headlined IEB’s April 27, 2025 All-Members Meeting on Zoom. The 230-plus attendees raptly listened for 20 minutes while Heather and Leila detailed what drove them to start their group and what drives them to continue.
What they are doing is working! The Wenches have gotten under the skin of their Republican Congresswoman, Ashlee Hinson, by holding her accountable for her votes. They also helped to elect Angel Ramirez for Iowa House District 78. Angel won her seat on April 29 and became the first Latina elected to the Iowa state house. During their local April 5th Hands Off event, Heather and Leila noticed this amazing cheer squad, the UMBC Crusaders, bringing down the house on a cold April day. So what did they do? They raised money for these young women in the community.
Impressed? Yes! But this is what allies do.
Impressive as they are, they can still use your help. What can you do? Follow their Facebook page and support them via their ActBlue link. They have been chosen to represent Iowa at Indivisible National’s Indivisifest in early June. ActBlue donations will help with their travel to Washington, DC to network with other Indivisibles and get additional training.
One last thing: Leila has just announced that she is running to be a delegate to the Iowa State House. Follow Leila’s run on her campaign’s Facebook page and check out her campaign’s ActBlue link. If only all our political candidates were like Leila — running for office for all the right reasons, working to make this country a better place for everyone!
