In 1969, membership changed for the National FFA Organization forever. 2019 marks the 50th year Anniversary of women admittance into the Future Farmers of America. Today’s membership has changed to include close to 670,000 members nationwide with 15,000 being from Iowa. The Davis-Rodgers FFA chapter’s first female was Suzan Z. Apaydin. Suzan walked into her first vocational agriculture class in September 1970, as a Freshman from Southern California, at the Shenandoah Community Schools. In her own words. “...the first day in Allen Carrell’s vocational agriculture class, being the only female classmate, and a Freshman, I was a little apprehensive about the reaction I might receive that day. I walked into a very respectful and supportive group of male Vo-Ag students that accepted me into their classroom and the Davis-Rodgers FFA chapter. I am appreciative of that memory, and always applied the respect for diversity in my professional career.”

The FFA mission statement focuses on three main areas premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. Suzan modeled all three disciplines while in FFA. Her Supervised Agriculture Experience included a purebred Angus replacement heifer as a cow-calf project, raised 12 Hereford steers as a feeder cattle project. She was involved with my mother Virginia Apaydin’s swine farrow to finish operation, and raised registered Half-Arabian and purebred Arabian horses. Suzan would continue to be successful in her FFA career by serving as chapter president, the first female elected Southwest Iowa District Reporter, and being elected as the Southwest Iowa State Vice President in 1975-1976.

Later, she attended and graduated from Iowa State University in 1978 with a B.S. in Animal Science. In her professional career included family farming for 8 years and 17 years in pre-clinical research and development at Syntex, PPD Development and Rigel Pharmaceuticals. She has has been retired for 15 years now. When asked how has FFA impacted her life, she said, “FFA gave me the opportunity to develop personal leadership and public speaking skills, and opened door leading to future professional supervisory and management positions in the private sector.” Without bravery and determination of young women like Suzan, the FFA may not be where it is today as it continues to reach new goals for agriculture advocacy and redefining agriculture for the next generation. Suzan’s advice for Davis-Rodgers FFA members of today, “Discover your strengths and talents to unleash your full potential in life.” Thank you Suzan for your contribution to females in agriculture.

Thank you to Barb Cunningham for contributions to this article.