Join us at our upcoming Women Build Events!
- Saturday, August 1: Women Build Construction Classes
- Thursday, October 8: Hammers and Hardhats Auction
- Through August 6: Decorate a Stud! Decorate one a stud, a 2x4 board that will frame the walls of the home. Pick up a stud from the Habitat office, decorate it at your place on your own time, and return it by August 6 so it can be nailed together to build the walls of the Liz Swanson Women Build home.
About Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity's 2026 Women Build Honoree
Liz Swanson has been named the honoree of Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity's 16th Women Build home. Liz has spent her lifetime strengthening communities through her leadership in nursing, her commitment to education, and her service across local and state organizations. From her early involvement with the Preucil School of Music, helping lead a capital campaign and first discovering her passion for fundraising, to her leadership with Shelter House, where she helped develop strategies, trained, and supported the clinic now named in her honor. Liz has consistently contributed resources and time to create meaningful change in our community. Her work also includes organizations such as the Iowa Women's Foundation, where she helped build a legacy fund to expand opportunities for women, and TRAIL of Johnson County, which supports older adults in living safely and independently in their homes. She is also on the Board of Directors for Oaknoll, further supporting aging populations in our community. In recent years, Liz and her husband, Alan, have been involved with Miracles in Motion, and serves on their Finance and Fundraising Committee. Liz shares, "It's important for me to give back and give as much as I can."
Liz has supported Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity for decades, and in 2023, she joined the Women Build committee, quickly becoming a reliable and engaged leader. She builds meaningful connections with families, uplifts volunteers, and supports staff with quiet consistency and care. She doesn't seek recognition; she knows the power of community and the importance of home. Through this project, we will build a home alongside a local family and support critical home repairs and modifications that enable homeowners to live safely and with dignity, continuing the impact Liz champions.
Thank you, donors! Your gifts, including your gift of time, no matter the size or number of hours, make a difference! A special shout out goes to members of LIZ'S HARDHATS CREW who have made a contribution of $1,000 or more to support this project:
- Bruce Alexander & Mary Losch
- Megan Alter
- Chad Andrews
- Karen & Wally Chappell
- Peggy Doerge
- Jim & Judy Houghton
- Lois James
- Jude & Val Langhurst
- Michael Lensing
- Jean Lloyd-Jones
- Barbara McFadden & Tom Rocklin
- Kevin & Julie Monson
- Teresa & Wesley Morrow
- David Rust & Joy Smith
- Alan & Liz Swanson
- Gladys Olsen
- Paula Overland Brandt
- Ann Parker
- Jean Trainor
- Dedi & Bruce Walker
- Zion Lutheran Church
History of Women Build:
The first Women Build was completed by a volunteer committee in 2004, and the second by a volunteer committee in 2006. However, Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity did not commit to making Women Build an annual project until 2011. Since then, Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity has made it a tradition to name each Women Build in honor of an influential woman in our community.
2011-2025 Women Build Honorees: Dottie Ray, Jackie Blank, Jane McCune, Dr. Christine Grant, Jean Lloyd-Jones, Mary Palmberg, Pat Heiden, Kazi Alward, Jan Down, Katie Lammers, Doris Preucil, Jane Hagedorn, Mary Mascher, Billie Townsend, Wai Yin Chan, and Linda "Digger" Barrow.