Indira Sheumaker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Indira Sheumaker
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Des Moines City Council Member Indira Sheumaker addressing the council
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| Member of the Des Moines City Council from the 1st Ward |
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| In office January 3, 2022 – August 31, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Gray |
| Succeeded by | Chris Coleman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 May 1994 Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. |
| Education | Iowa State University |
| Profession | Politician, activist |
Indira Sheumaker is a politician and activist. She served on the City Council of Des Moines, Iowa for Ward 1. Her term was from 2022 to 2023.
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Early Life and Education
Indira Sheumaker was born in Des Moines, Iowa. Her mother is Black American, and her father is white American. She was named after Indira Gandhi, a famous leader.
Sheumaker went to Herbert Hoover High School. Later, she studied at Iowa State University. While in college, she was very active in theatre productions.
Becoming a Community Leader
Before she ran for public office, Indira Sheumaker was a dedicated activist. She worked with the Black Liberation Movement in Des Moines. Her passion for social justice led her to attend city council meetings.
In 2020, she went to a city council meeting for the first time. She wanted to support a new rule. This rule aimed to stop racial profiling by police. Her experiences at these meetings inspired her to become a politician herself.
Serving on the Des Moines City Council
On November 2, 2021, Indira Sheumaker was elected to the Des Moines City Council. She won against Bill Gray, who had been in office for two terms. Sheumaker received 46% of the votes. This was her first time running for an elected position.
Sheumaker's ideas for the city included several important points. She wanted to rethink how city money is used for public safety. She also focused on making sure everyone had enough food. Other goals included providing affordable homes and improving city services. She was sworn into office on January 10, 2022.
Challenges During Her Term
During her time on the city council, Sheumaker faced some challenges. In 2022, she missed some council meetings and did not respond to many emails. She later explained that these absences were due to her health, including COVID-19 and depression. By the end of 2022, she had missed 11 meetings and work sessions.
In April 2023, her absences continued. A citizen started a petition asking her to step down. Her father later shared that she had been hospitalized. Sheumaker missed more meetings in May and June. Some community groups asked her to consider resigning.
On August 1, 2023, some residents formally complained about her absences. They said she was not performing her duties. The city council then asked Sheumaker to communicate her plans for her role. If she did not respond, they would assume she had left her position.
Indira Sheumaker resigned from her position on September 6, 2023. Her resignation was effective starting August 31, 2023.
See also
- Black Lives Matter
- Defund the police
