Daughter of the Heartland: My Ode to the Country That Raised Me

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The daughter of hardworking farmers, Joni Ernst has never been afraid of rolling up her sleeves and getting her hands dirty. Raised in rural Iowa, a typical day of chores involved cleaning stalls, hauling grain, and even castrating hogs. While this may sound like a far cry from a life in politics, growing up on a farm was Joni’s initiation into American values. Joni developed grit and farm-bred tenacity, attributes that served her well both as a Lieutenant Colonel in the military and as an underdog candidate in the US senate. Today, Joni challenges leaders who aren’t willing to shrug off their neatly pressed suits and get dirty—literally or figuratively.

In this inspiring memoir, Joni recounts her struggle as a woman in a boys’ club—both in the military and the senate—and how she has risen above to become a successful politician and role model. Senator Ernst is well known and respected for her willingness to hold Washington accountable and her demand for bipartisanship in a time of fierce tribalism. Daughter of the Heartlandtells her incredible story in four parts, defined by the values she’s learned along the way—leadership, service, courage, and gratitude.

Written in an honest and compelling voice, Daughter of the Heartland is Joni’s inspirational story of finding her power as a champion for Iowa, a defender of our armed forces, and a voice for women.