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Women of influence

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Lydia Schuur, of Fort Dodge, is the communications specialist at the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance and an at-large city council member.

Editor’s note: This story previously appeared in the March 2019 issue of the Fort Dodge Today magazine.

What is important to you?

My family and my relationship with God top my list. I want to make my family proud and I want to raise my children with a strong set of core beliefs — whether they follow a certain religion or not, I just want them to believe in and rely on the power of God. 

Also, improving my portion of the world I live in. I don’t know if my Dad did this consciously or not, but he showed my brothers and myself the importance of helping others whenever possible. I try my best to continue that lesson in my adult life.  

It’s important to me to be involved as much as possible, without sacrificing time with my family at home. I really love being at home. One of the organizations I am involved with is a nonprofit near and dear to my heart, Gene Giraffe Project, that I believe so strongly in and truly enjoy being involved with. 

What do you like about Fort Dodge?

Fort Dodge is home. I love that when there is a need, this community comes together to help. Local businesses donate to benefits; citizens donate items to people who need them. Fort Dodge is full of people with loving, giving hearts and I’m grateful to know many of them. There are so many groups that actively help in the community, making small and large impacts on a regular basis. There are a lot of people who do things quietly, without acknowledgement, constantly working to help someone else. I love that.  

What are you building for the future?

I ran for city council because I wanted to have an active role in the progress of Fort Dodge. I don’t believe in just grumbling about things; if you want things to be different or better, you have to be willing to be involved in it. I want my children to grow up and see value in living here, and I’m incredibly hopeful that we are doing that. Change is not an easy thing, but it’s something that has to happen for Fort Dodge to continue to progress. I will actively support something if I fully believe it will benefit Fort Dodge as a whole. 

What are you working hardest on?

On a smaller scale, I am working hardest on raising my children to be kind, thoughtful, and empathetic people.

On a larger scale, I am working hardest on continuing to support the initiatives and measures that I feel will result in progress and effective changes in our community. 

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