Laurie Schipper

Laurie Schipper (born December 4, 1962) is an American women's rights social worker. She focuses on domestic violence against women. For 27 years, she was the Executive Director of the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She works with the organization Galvanize USA. Schipper was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 2022.

Early life and education Schipper was born on December 4, 1962, in Waverly, Iowa, to Terry Savage and Dixie Vanderwerf.

Career Schipper was the Executive Director of the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence for 27 years. As part of that organization, Schipper developed it, discussed matters with legislators, and testified in court. Schipper testified during Shanahan's trial as an expert in domestic violence. She mentioned Stockholm syndrome due to Shanahan returning to her husband multiple times which caught the attention of the jury.

Iowa offers domestic violence protection by allowing a person to be arrested if there is probable cause that they were responsible for domestic assault. However, that is only offered to domestic violence happening to someone who is married or has a child with whoever was accused, so it does not apply to people who are only dating. In 2014, Schipper tried to help pass a bill that would help domestic violence victims if they were dating.

She works for the organization Galvanize USA to help empower women. In her resignation letter from the coalition, Schipper wrote,

Prior to being inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 2022, Schipper wrote letters to prior winners and went to their recognition ceremonies. Schipper started her career to cause systemic changes, but she wants her legacy to be improving the world for her grandchildren.