Charlotte Zietlow
Democratic Women's Caucus Director of Training
Charlotte Zietlow has had a lifelong involvement in government, business , education and not-for-profit organizations, no doubt growing our of her immersion in service as a Lutheran minister's daughter. Since the JFK presidential election in 1960, Charlotte has worked in political campaigns for Democrats virtually every year since, more often than not at the precinct level, knocking on doors, raising money—whatever it takes.
In 1971 Charlotte was part of the Democratic revolution that changed the way Bloomington does government, winning a seat on the City Council as the first woman in memory, and becoming the first women president of the Council. This council was very proactive, developing legislation and task forces and working with the Mayor (Frank McCloskey) to open government to active community participation at many levels. Charlotte and our new State Representative, Marilyn Schultz, established a women owned business in 1973, Goods, Inc. and became active in the business community, as well.
Charlotte was the Democratic candidate for US Congress in what was then the Seventh District in Indiana in 1978, running the most effective campaign against John T. Myers of any candidate ever--but not winning. In 1980 she was elected the first woman Monroe County Commissioner, the same year Vi Simpson became Monroe County Auditor. Together they worked to modernize County Government, and Charlotte spearheaded the campaign (and it was a campaign) to Save the Courthouse, which is the cornerstone of our downtown community today.
Over the years Charlotte has headed the Monroe County United Way, worked as a Community Coordinator for Planned Parenthood throughout southern Indiana, and currently serves as Economic Development Coordinator for Middle Way House, Inc. She has served on numerous boards and commissions, chaired the IWPR committee that published the Indiana Status of Women Report in 2002, authored the ordinance creating the Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women, chaired the priority committee for the Indiana Office of Women's Health, and served for sixteen years as a Trustee at Indiana State University. She recently was named Women in Business Champion of the Year by the US Small Business Administration. She is proud to work with the DWC to further opportunities for women in the critical business of democracy in our community.
Contact:zietlowc@gmail.com