She
is the first Indian born American citizen to win an
election for a state legislature in the US. She won with
57.4% (6,727) of vote (the highest percentage in the
recent elections by an Indian born American.) Fifty one
year old Swati Dandekar created a record of sorts when
she out raced, fifty-year-old Karen Balderston, for the new
Iowa House District 36 that encompasses the city of
Marion and Maine Township. Dandekar is a democrat.
Balderston,who was born in Charles City,is a substitute
teacher. While campaigning, Balderston questioned
Dandekar’s ethnic background. She also expressed
doubts whether Dandekar can represent Iowa’s
viewpoints and values in the legislature.Despite all of
this, Dandekar has won the election quite comfortably.
Partly this victory is due to Dandekar’s work as a
long time community volunteer. Her candidature was
recommended by many community organizations in Iowa.
Swati
Dandekar is born in a farmer’s family in Central
India. She completed her studies in India. Along with
her husband – Arvind Dandekar, Swati migrated to Cedar
Rapids, Marion, Iowa, in 1973. She became a US citizen
in 1996. Dandekar is acknowledged for making
contributions to the area, as a community volunteer. While campaigning, she was clear that she would:
| 1 |
not
support raising taxes.
|
| 2 |
support
any increases for financial aid for
education |
| 3 |
support
repayment of state funds |
| 4 |
re-examine
the state’s formula for distributing
road money across Iowa State. |
| 5 |
support
second round of funding for Vision Iowa
Project. |
|
Dandekar
is a long time advocate for improving educational
opportunities in Iowa. She believes that education can
make positive influence on the lives of people.
According to her, “Public education is the foundation
of our democratic society and the key to successful
futures for Iowa children. State and Federal policy
makers must protect the future of our country by
recognizing the importance of continued support of
public education. Public education spending is an
essential investment in Iowa’s future. Employers want
to build or relocate where the educational system
provides a quality work force. Studies show that
investment in public education pays off in long-term
dividends for the local community, State, and
country.”
Dandekar
is an active proponent of involving the state to
stimulate the economy of Iowa. She intends to actively
encourage new businesses in Iowa area and provide
property tax relief. Dandekar is a board member of Linn
Mar Community School and Iowa Association of School
Boards. The Linn Mar Community School is a school
district for approximately 4,500 students. The Iowa
Association of School Boards is a state wide educational
organization representing 374 public school districts,
15 area education agencies and 15 community colleges.
Besides these, Dandekar is involved in many other
community projects.
Education
| 1 |
J.
N. Tata Parsi School, Nagpur, India, 1968,
high school diploma
|
| 2 |
Nagpur
University, India, 1971, BS,
Chemistry/Biology |
| 3 |
Bombay
University, India, 1972, Postgraduate
diploma in Dietetics |
|
Family background
| 1 |
Husband,
Arvind Dandekar, CEO/President, Fastek
International, Hiawatha, Iowa. |
| 2 |
Son
Ajai Dandekar, 26, He is a graduate of
Linn-Mar High School. In 1997, he
graduated from the Stanford University.
Currently, he is a fourth year medical
student in the MD / PhD. program at the
University of Iowa. |
| 3 |
Son
Govind Dandekar, 23. He is a graduate of
Linn-Mar High School. In 2000, he
graduated from the Stanford University.
Currently, he is a strategic planning
analyst for The Walt Disney Company. |
|
Community activities:
Dandekar participates in
many community-oriented efforts. Some of them are listed
below:
| 1 |
Vision
Iowa Board, member since inception in
2000.
|
| 2 |
Hall
of Pride Criteria Committee Chair
|
| 3 |
Negotiating
Team Member (Vision Iowa)
|
| 4 |
Polk
County/Capital City Vision Project |
| 5 |
McGregor/Marquette
Area Legacy |
| 6 |
Waterloo/Cedar
Valley River Renaissance |
| 7 |
Negotiating
Team Member (CAT)
|
| 8 |
Ames/Connect
Iowa |
| 9 |
Adair
County Recreation Center |
| 10 |
Cherokee/Sioux
Valley Memorial Hospital Recreation Center
|
| 11 |
Iowa
Association of School Board’s Board of
Directors, member since 2000
|
| 12 |
Liars
Holographic Radio Theatre, Board of
Directors, Member since 2001
|
| 13 |
Linn-Mar
Community School District Board of
Education, member since 1996.
|
| 14 |
Received
ABLE I and ABLE II certifications
|
| 15 |
Co-chair,
District 50th Anniversary Committee
|
| 16 |
Initiated
district-wide staff recognition program |
| 17 |
Initiated
student recognition program
|
| 18 |
Board
liaison: Strategic Planning Committee
|
| 19 |
Board
liaison: Equity Advisory Committee
|
| 20 |
Board
liaison: Health and Human Growth and
Development Committee
|
| 21 |
Board
liaison: School-to-Career Committee
|
| 22 |
Board
liaison: High School Voice Committee
(Diversity Committee)
|
| 23 |
Board
representative: Linn-Mar School Foundation
|
| 24 |
Junior
League of Cedar Rapids
|
| 25 |
President
of Sustainers
|
| 26 |
Chair,
Diversity Committee
|
| 27 |
Linn-Mar
Booster Club
|
| 28 |
Chair,
Academic Committee
|
| 29 |
Visitors’
concession stand chair, home football
games
|
| 30 |
Phoenix
Club Leadership Team member
|
| 31 |
Boy
Scouts America Hawkeye Area Council,
member
|
|
Honors and awards
| 1 |
J.
C. Penney Education Golden Rule Award,
2000
|
| 2 |
Linn-Mar
Foundation Wall of Fame, 1982
|
| 3 |
100-hour
per year school volunteer for several
years |
|
Email:
[email protected] |
