The Iowa Society of Cytotechnologists was founded in 1971. On April 21st of that year, an Executive Committee was established as the first organizational unit with the following officers and members: Chairman: Janet Sams, CT(ASCP) Vice-chairman: Catherine Wintermantel, CT(ASCP)MT Secretary: Rose Griffith, CT(ASCP) Treasurer: Cheryl DeYoung, CT(ASCP) Members: Patricia Merritt Evans, CT(ASCP) Sandra Laverty Schroeder, CT(ASCP) Ann Meyers, CT(ASCP) Linda Knittig, CT(ASCP) Guiding principles of the new organization were expressed as follows: To promote interest and advancement in the field of Cytology; To exchange and disseminate information, ideas adn techniques useful in the Cytology laboratory; To improve job performance in the laboratory; To up-grade the professional standing of Cytotechnologists; and To discuss unusual and difficult cases. An organizational meeting was held May 15, 1971, at which the above officers were elected to serve for the first year. During the summer months, a committee was formed to draw up a constitution. The constitution was adopted by the membership on September 14, 1971. In 1974, Article 1, Section 1 of the constitution was amended to read: "The name of this organization shall be the Iowa Society of Cytology". This was done to encourage everyone interesting in Cytology to become members. Two Scientific Meetings were offered by the Society each year; one in the fall and one in the spring. Beginning in 1991 the University of Iowa Pathologists' Iowa Cytology Course took the place of the spring ISC meeting.The Iowa Society of Cytology is a co-sponsor of the annual course.