EqualityQuilt

In the PINK

This "LOVE PINK" fad has been driving me crazy lately.  If you spend any time whatsoever on any given middle school, high school, or college campus, you know why.  It's everywhere.  From tshirts and sweatpants to exposed undergarments to totebags and waterbottles, you literally cannot avoid seeing the ubiquitous "LOVE PINK" logo anywhere there are large numbers of young(ish) women or girls.  

So - go to the mall: LOVE PINK.  Go to college: LOVE PINK.  Watch TV: LOVE PINK.  It's everywhere.  It's completely overwhelming.  And it says a lot more than just "I like pink".  What it really says, on the basest level, is "I'm wearing sexy underwear beneath this skintight neon sweatsuit, and I want the whole world to know!"  But also, "I'm a walking billboard for a company that claims to market to "college-aged women" but in the real world sells sexy bras, panties, and logo-emblazoned clothing to tweens and teens and encourages them to aspire to impossible beauty/body standards!" And also, "I LOVE PINK! These sweatpants are a subliminal reference to my genitalia!"  Because if you don't think the name of the PINK line is intended to make us think of women's objectified sexual bodies, you're living in a cave.  The word "pink" is common slang for women's genitals.  This is not a happy coincidence.

Victoria's Secret has made repeated claims that the "LOVE PINK" line is marketed to college-aged women.  One click on their website tells me otherwise.  But so does common logic.  When college-aged women like something and wear it a lot, it's quickly going to trickle down into high school fashion requirements.  Because what do teen girls want most?  To be like college girls.  And, similarly - what do tween girls want?  To be teenagers.  

So it really doesn't so much shock me when I see a 12 year old girl walking down the street with a giant "PINK" plastered on her rear end.  What shocks me is that nobody seems to care or think this is unhealthy.  If adolescent girls are wearing PINK, they're obviously watching the Victoria's Secret models and hoping to emulate them - starting, apparently, with buying an entire wardrobe of "PINK".  This wardrobe is not limited to bras and panties and sweatsuits!  A plethora of accessories are available for all: Wallets, beach towels, blankets and bedding, water bottles, and tote bags touting the PINK logo are some of the more popular items I've spotted on my daily commute.  

What, might I ask, is the purpose of toting around a LOVE PINK water bottle?  Oh, right.  To tell everybody - professors, grandparents, peers, and most importantly, BOYS - that you're wearing sexy undies.  And also, that you have enough disposable income to be able to buy this kind of crap.  The "PINK" brand's pervasiveness doesn't just contribute to the hypersexualization of young women, it also contributes to the neverending class wars that take place between America's young people.

So please.  If you're going to see me today, leave the "PINK" at home.  I might have a temper tantrum over it.

-Trisha

 

Poem for Gloria Griffin

On May 12, 2012 friends and family honored one of our co-founders, Gloria Griffin, at an intimate memorial service. At that service, Carol Connolly, St. Paul's poet laureate, delivered a beautiful poem for Gloria. 

She is my mother
my daughter
my sister.
She is a new woman
an old woman
a wise woman.
She is a legator
of faith and hope
and generosity.
She put her hand
to strong things,
she is clothed
with strength
and dignity.
She laughed
at the days to come.
She is one of us,
and part of her
is none of us
for she is one
in her talent
and her wisdom
and her gift for giving.
We call her friend
and the sun
with its face shining,
remembers her.

- Carol Connolly

May 12, 2012 

Gloria was an amazing woman. Thank you Carol.

Will You Sustain a Movement?

Dear Friend of the Minnesota Women's Consortium,

With the early arrival of spring flowers and April showers, I want to share news of our own transition at the Minnesota Women's Consortium and ask for your support. After more than nine years of strong leadership, Bonnie Watkins retired from the Consortium in late January. Bonnie accomplished many great things during her time including increasing the visibility of the Consortium as a leader in achieving equality and justice for women and girls.

Looking ahead, we will grow Bonnie's legacy under the leadership of a new executive director whom the Board of Directors will select in June 2012. Meanwhile, with your support and the strength of our nonprofit and business members, the Consortium will continue to organize women for equality and change by sharing information and resources, offering services for growth and support, and building community and coalition among our members. 

The Consortium will also continue to build and sustain leadership for women and girls by hosting programs like Girls Rock! the Capitol. Programs like Girls Rock! the Capitol empower young women to advocate for themselves, their families, and their communities while helping them develop leadership skills. A girl who participated in February 2012 noted, "This was my first time at Girls Rock and I am interested in a political future now!" Her enthusiasm illustrates how vital it is that the Consortium continues such programming.

 

Your support of the Minnesota Women's Consortium is critical during this time of transition. we need to raise $30,000 by the end of June. If everyone who receives this letter contributes at least $25, we can make our goal! With your help, we will sustain and cultivate a movement of people working for equality and justice. Advance the Minnesota Women's Consortium by making a tax-deductible financial contribution in any amount today. Your gift to the Consortium strengthens an entire community of 152 organizations working on behalf of Minnesota's women and girls.

 

There is only one Minnesota Women's Consortium; your gift ensures we'll be here to empower women working for equality and justice for many years to come.

 

Sincerely,   

          

Erin Parrish

Interim Executive Director

 

Buzzworthy

Some top headlines from the week to get you all caught up.

AWESOME!  The Senate voted in favor of VAWA.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ruled that employment discrimination based on gender identity is covered by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

OMG - Wrinkles on the cover of Harper's Bazaar!

Rick Santorum stepped out of the presidential race.

Rick Santorum Aborts Presidential Campaign from Ashley Judd

This awesome video from www.mamahope.org showed up to challenge Western/Hollywood stereotypical depictions of African men:

 

The Sioux City Journal is taking a stand against bullying.  Let's get more businesses, publications, and institutions on board with this, y'all.

Finally - people all around the internet are pushing back at hipster racism.

Peace out!

-Trisha

Actually, Grandma, Guns DO Kill People.

I live in North Minneapolis.  I own a home there, and I try to take good care of that home, and I know that there are lots of other homeowners – well intentioned family-oriented people – in my neighborhood and the larger community of North Minneapolis – who, like me, are trying to revitalize the Northside and make it safer for children, families, and other nice folks.  I would even venture to guess that people like me, who don’t make a lot of money but still want a place to call their own, who work out in the garden until the sun sets, who shovel every time it snows, and who gladly would share whatever we have with our neighbors, largely outnumber those members of our community who are perpetuating the negative reputation that North Minneapolis has earned as being a dangerous, violence-ridden, gang-ruled no-man’s land into which the average citizen would be insane to step into. 

Unfortunately, violence in North Minneapolis happens.  Every time there is a burglary, my heart sinks.  Every time there is a shooting, I cry for the victim’s family and for my community as a whole.  Every time an act of violence is perpetrated in my neighborhood, I get a little scared.  It’s natural to feel insecure in your surroundings when bad things happen there.  But I still walk my dogs by myself in my own neighborhood.  I still like to take a bike ride down my street.  Because I know that a huge proportion of the violence in my community is gang-related.  And most of it is directed towards others who are also involved in gangs.  Since I’m not in a gang, I feel okay.  I feel like nobody’s going to target me.

But then something like this happens, and I don’t feel safe anymore.  Because stray bullets don’t care who’s in a gang and who’s just a damn three year old learning how to walk up stairs.  Nor do bike thieves care who’s riding the bike they’re coveting. 

I posted a link to the City Pages article on Jody Patzner’s murder on my facebook page.  One friend, an aunt on my partner’s side, commented that she hates guns.  My grandma responded: “Hate the shooter, not the gun.”  In my head, I screamed at her.

Because you know what, Grandma?  Everyone says “hate the shooter, not the gun” until the person that they love who has a gun ends up shooting someone.  Or themselves.  On purpose, on accident, in self defense; it doesn’t matter.  Suddenly the responsible gun owner in whose defense such proclamations have been made, becomes the hated shooter.  And then what do you have left?  Then I bet you want to hate the gun, not the shooter.  Or place the blame on somebody else.

A high school friend of mine shot himself with his rifle while “playing” with it a few years ago.  Who do we hate in that situation?  I feel pretty confident in saying that his family probably hated the gun.  Not him.  George Zimmerman, the man who shot Trayvon Martin allegedly in self-defense in Florida this February, is probably hating the gun he was carrying around with him when he ran into the teenager on that fateful evening.  Because if he hadn’t had the gun, he wouldn’t be in prison right now.  If my high school friend hadn’t had a gun, he’d probably be alive right now.  And if Jody Patzner’s murderers had not had a gun, they probably would have just beaten him up.  He’d be out a bike, but at least he’d be alive.

And that, my friends – and Grandma – is why Minnesota needs to be extremely careful in the drafting and enforcement of gun legislation.  Of course we don’t know where the gun that killed Patzner came from.  I’d guess that it’s probably not registered.  But Zimmerman’s gun was registered.  I bet he’s even uttered the phrase “hate the shooter, not the gun” in defense of his choice to “responsibly” carry a registered weapon.

This is why Minnesota does NOT need a “Shoot First” bill.  This is why nobody in Minnesota, despite their best intentions, their responsible nature, their respect for human life, should just be ALLOWED to carry a gun around.  Because the sad fact is that without guns, lots of people would still be with us.

People without guns may perpetrate violent crimes.  But they are less likely to commit murder, or make a fatal mistake.  Guns do kill people.

 

People + Guns = Dead People. 

The End. 

-Trisha

Buzzworthy - Time to Play Catch-up, Y'all.

Hello avid readers,

I know I've been a little tardy with the Friday Buzzworthy posts.  If you're like me, you don't have much time during the week to keep up on all the local and national news.  So I've wrangled up some of the most buzzworthy headlines of the week for your reading convenience.  Some are infuriating, some are inspiring.  But they're all worth a quick read - and you'll have something to chat about next time you get caught in a watercooler huddle, or an awkward dinner party.  

 

Ready?  Here we go:

 

Trayvon Martin's death is an LGBT issue, and here's why.  

In kind-of related news, a young man in North Minneapolis was shot to death Monday night for his bike.  While delivering a plate of lasagna to a home-bound neighbor.  My grandma says "don't hate the gun, hate the shooter."  Know what I say?  That's what those guys said, till they shot somebody.  PS - Minnesota almost just had it's own "Shoot First" bill pass - thanks to Gov. Dayton, we dodged that bullet last week.  This time.

Hillary Clinton rules the school.  She's so cool she made a meme about herself.  Mind - officially blown.

Teen pregnancy is at an all-time low.  But wait! Surprise!  It's still pretty common in states that still enforce archaic, denial-steeped abstinence-only sex ed policies.

Too much of a good thing? 1/4 mammomograms may be "overdiagnosing" breast cancer.  Yikes!

 

 

Don't get too comfy over there - the War on Women is totally still happening.  Especially in Arizona.

Democratic political commentator Hilary Rosen made the "mistake" of revealing GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney's wife Ann's lack of work-force experience on TV the other night.  

 

While everything she said is pretty much true, her indiscretion is causing an uproar evocative of the "Mommy Wars" of the '80s and '90s.  My two cents?  There's a huge difference between being an average American mom and being a wealthy white politician's wife who has the privilege of not having to worry about providing an income for her family.

PS - If the work of stay-at-home-moms is so valuable to you (like it is to me), how 'bout you legislate it?

Ashley Judd spoke out on TV and in the press after being slammed by the media for having a "puffy face" - striking up speculation that she'd either gained weight (oh noes!) or had "work done" (mind yer own beeswax, anyway).  

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

 

Here's the fantabulous essay she wrote for The Daily Beast speaking out against the cultural attitudes toward women that make our bodies the object of constant public ridicule.  Read more about what kind of an impact this role model's action this week is having on women here.

 

That's gonna wrap it up from the MWC this afternoon.  I'm gonna go get my Friday on.  Be safe and super-smart this weekend, folks.

-Trisha

Intern with the Consortium this Summer!

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY: The MN Women’s Consortium is an association of 150+ women’s organizations around the state working for women’s equality and justice. The work of the Consortium is to connect these groups and individual women to each other. 

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The MN Women’s Consortium is looking for a self-motivated individual who can assist the organization in its work during the summer months. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Writing the E-Consortium Notes which is a weekly e-newsletter that informs our members of current issues, opportunities, and jobs.
• Writing articles for the Capitol Bulletin
• Assisting Consortium staff with special projects
• Assisting staff in fundraising, event, and meeting planning including the Annual Meeting on July 11
• Weekly blogging for Equalityquilt.org
• Management of our Twitter and Facebook accounts
• Research topics and issues the Consortium is highlighting for things such as the Women’s Action Plan, Special Newsletter Inserts, or events

• Updating the College Feminist Connect blog and calendar which connects and informs campus feminist groups and Women’s Resource Centers across the state
• Tracking federal and state legislation
• Assist Consortium staff with answering telephones and general office work as well as any special projects that should arise.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants must have a strong, demonstrated commitment to justice and equality for all women and girls. An applicant must be flexible, responsible, and willing to take on new projects.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Minnesota Women’s Consortium is willing to work with students and their school to provide the supervision needed for students obtaining credits for the work. The position is not stipend. Learn more about the Minnesota Women’s Consortium at www.mnwomen.org.

HOW TO APPLY:

A resume, cover letter, and writing sample are required for consideration. Send these documents to Erin Parrish at erin@mnwomen.org by May 4, 2012.

 

Buzzworthy

Hey folks!  It's Friday and that means it's time to catch up on headlines you might have missed this week.

• In case you hadn't heard, American women's reproductive rights are under attack.
• On a brighter note, a school is actually getting smart about preventing teen pregnancies and STIs by providing free condoms to students!
• We found out that the Komen Foundation/Planned Parenthood debacle was the result of pressure from the Catholic Church.  Shocking!
• Oh hay, Duchess of Cornwall.  Good to know you're on our team.
• A new report from the Guttmacher Institute found that over 50% of American women live in states that are "hostile" to their reproductive rights.  Dang, America.
• Texas just can't abide Planned Parenthood, so they gave up on Women's health altogether.
• The Women in the World Summit happened.

 

In other news, Hillary Clinton:

 

Have a great weekend, y'all!

-Trisha

JOB OPENING: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MINNESOTA WOMEN'S CONSORTIUM

The Minnesota Women’s Consortium, a state wide organization based in St. Paul, is seeking a leader for the Consortium which is a coalition of organizations supporting equality and justice for women and girls.

Qualifications include:

--  Proven entrepreneurial leadership experience with volunteer organizations and/or non-profit agencies;

--  Successful experience in fundraising and public relations;

--  Fiscal and program management experience;

--  Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups and organizations;

--  Strong skills in oral and written communications.

 -- Experience in advocating for women and girls preferred, but not necessary.  

How to apply:

In addition to a current resume, candidates should include a list detailing specific experience in each of the above noted qualifications categories.  Submit information electronically to info@mnwomen.org or by mail to the Minnesota Women's Consortium, 550 Rice Street, St. Paul, MN 55103.  Deadline for applications is April 17, 2012.  

For further information about the Consortium, see our website www.mnwomen.org.  The Minnesota Women’s Consortium is an equal opportunity employer. 

 

White Dudes Can’t BeatBox and Blowjob Shots Dehumanize Women: The Sad Truth About The Shout House(!)

You know how sometimes you’re forced to participate in something that you just know is going to be terrible? Say, like me, you have to go to your butch-identified partner’s brother’s fiancée’s bachelorette party. As a queer person, I already feel pretty alienated by this stuff. I honestly can’t even fathom how someone who transgresses conventional gender norms might feel under these circumstances. But, generally, we act excited and participate with requisite smiles plastered on our faces, all for the sake of keeping the peace with the extended family.

Last weekend, though, I knew I was going to be in over my head. We had rented a limo, eaten our weight in catered tacos and frozen strawberry margaritas, and the sister of the bride had planned what was allegedly going to be a “sexy night out on the town” for myself, my partner, the bride, and a handful of her friends. When I found out we were headed to The Shout House! in downtown Minneapolis, my heart sank. I had never been inside the “Dueling Piano Bar!” but I had a hunch that it was going to be the kind of fun that only privileged whitefolks with plenty of money and low levels of social consciousness would truly be able to enjoy.

Monday Member Spotlight: Mature Voices Minnesota

Monday Member Spotlight:  Mature Voices Minnesota

Who They Are

Mature Voices Minnesota (MVM) has two active regions in Northwest Metro and West Metro.  These groups hold meetings with presentations and discussion of the important issues of the day impacting seniors (individuals over the age of 50).  Similar geographic-based groups are being contemplated for East Metro and South Metro regions.

Their Mission

Mature Voices Minnesota brings forth the voice of mature Minnesotans and their families to assure that older adults can live healthy, independent, affordable, and dignified lives in their communities.

What They Do

MVM focuses on issues that are especially pertinent for Minnesota seniors.  Significant activity is centered on the key areas of health action, property taxes, and housing, transportation & utilities. Last year, MVM partnered with the MN Women's Consortium in creating three videos for the National Council on Aging and Eldernomics Minnesota's One Away campaign.

 

Find out more about the Mature Voices Minnesota by visiting their website.

 

Feminism in a Contested Society

This semester, I am taking a few months away from the MN Women's Consortium and from the States in general because I am spending my spring in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland, as you may or may not know, has a history of violent conflict over the governance of their country. Dating back hundreds of years, Protestants and Catholics have fought over the national determination of Northern Ireland-- whether it was a part of Ireland (as an entire island) or a part of the United Kingdom (because Britain conquered and colonized it). In 1969, tensions errupted into a violent struggled called 'The Troubles' which only ceased in 1994. After 35 years of violence and tensions still simmering under the surface, Northern Ireland has had its mind on other issues besides feminism.

So where does that leave women in this contested society? Unfortunately, women were used as symbols of the motherland--a place to be protected and fought for because it is fragile and unable to protect itself. The image of "Mother Ireland" became prominant in Nationalist (Catholic) murals and propaganda to incite nationalistic tendancies in their young men. The vast majority of fighters on both sides of the conflict were men. Women tended to play more supporting roles (nurses, supply-givers, etc.) to the fighting. However, they still contributed to the violence. By tending to support their sons in engaging in fighting for or defending the country, mothers tended to encourage the conflict as much as other members of each community. 

As the violence of the conflict neared an end, feminist groups stepped to the forefront to advocate for the inclusion of women's rights in the Good Friday Agreement (the peace treaty ending The Troubles). Their contention was that peace included the civil liberties and human rights of all groups in Northern Ireland-- not just Protestants and Catholics. Unfortunately, these women were stymied at every step in the process. The participants in the negotiations for peace in Northern Ireland were almost entirely men and women's rights were pushed to the side.

Today, almost two decades after the conflict officially ended, women face considerable issues in Northern Irish society. With a faltering economy and lack of jobs, they face economic deprivation worse than their male counterparts. As with other first world countries, they face a large pay gap. But unlike other countries in the United Kingdom, abortion and female health services are difficult if not impossible to attain. Programs rehabilitating members of the community from conflict tend to focus more on men than on women, and so women here miss out on those opportunities as well. In fact, Northern Ireland has been accused of being even more behind on women's rights than other developed countries because it tends to ignore them and focus on sectarianism issues. 

Although the forecast is bleak, there are high points. An active Northern Ireland feminist network exists and there is legislation in the books providing for equal wages for men and women. Equality is a value here and many women hope that that spreads to equality between men and women. As Northern Ireland continues to heal from its violent past, I and the other feminists here hope that women's issues can take a larger role in politics and the public stage. 

 

All my best,

Cailin Rogers

Monday Member Spotlight: Life-Work Planning Center (Mankato)

Monday Member Spotlight: Life-Work Planning Center (Mankato)

Who They Are

Executive Director Jean Willaert and Fiscal Manager Laurie Wiebesiek work alongside counselors Jill Hahn, Christine Olson, and Maritza Navarro to provide transitional and pre-employment services for women.

Their Mission

To increase the self-sufficiency of women and their families.

What They Do

The LWPC serves women in transition, including Displaced Homemakers; Non-Displaced Homemakers; Latina Women and Youth; and Women transitioning from Welfare to Work.  The organization provides a supportive environment where women can gain pre-employment skills, participate in workshops, peer counseling, computer tutoring.  They also offer resources, referrals and advocacy for clients.

Find out more about the Life-Work Planning Center by visiting their website.

Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act Values Men's, Grandparents' Wishes Over Pregnant Women's Health and Agency

Among the barrage of new legislation at local and national levels that threaten women's right to choose, as well as access to contraception, there's an especially offensive bill making its way through the US House of Representatives, even as I write this very article.  The atrocious Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act that would allow would-be fathers and grandparents to prevent a pregnant woman from having an abortion by obtaining a legal injunction, the violation of which could result in a civil lawsuit against the woman and/or her physicians or advocates.

Monday Member Spotlight: League of Women Voters Minneapolis

Monday Member Spotlight: League of Women Voters Minneapolis

Who They Are

A non-partisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in all levels of government, especially at the local Minneapolis level.

Their Mission

The League of Women Voters encourages informed and active participation in government; works to increase understanding of major public policy issues; and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

What They Do

LWV Mpls is dedicated to promoting civic participation at its best.  This is achieved through a three-pronged strategy: A grassroots approach involving voting for consensus and taking positions on prominent issues; member support, initiation, and implementation of civic projects and programs; and a focus on education and action on a local and national level, including extensive research and reporting on pertinent public policy issues. 

Find out more about the League of Women Voters Minneapolis by visiting their website.

 

Buzzworthy

It's finally Friday!  Here's a chance to catch up on local and national headlines around women's and gender issues before you kick off your weekend.

Food deserts are real - and they're in Minnesota.

Minnesota Lutherans plan to speak out against the proposed state constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage.  Minnesota residents will vote on the amendment this November.

Obama's controversial birth control mandate, which would require religious institutions to provide insurance that would cover birth control costs, has been lauded by feminists and human rights activists, but faced push-back from right-wing house and senate members, resulting in an all-male discussion of the matter at a Congressional hearing on Thursday.

Pop Star Rihanna's abusive ex, Chris Brown, was welcomed back to the Grammys with open arms Sunday evening.  His two live performances and Grammy win come on the heels of a three-year absence from the awards ceremony following public outrage at his 2009 beating of then-girlfriend Rihanna.  There's also evidence that the couple may reunite: Brown helped Rihanna celebrate her birthday on Monday, and a musical collaboration has recently been announced.  Critics of domestic violence and victim advocates say a reconciliation between Rihanna and Chris Brown wouldn't be suprising, but the social acceptability of such a celebrity reunion speaks volumes about our casual attitudes toward domestic violence.

Sarah Palin is going to Save America! by maybe running for President.

Rick Santorum campaign donor Foster Friess says women don't need contraception coverage - they just need to hold an aspirin between their knees.

  

-Trisha

 

Fox News commentator Liz Trotta: Women in military should expect to be "raped too much," should not get support services.

Fox News contributor Liz Trotta showed her true (pro-military, anti-feminist) colors on Sunday, claiming that women in the military should expect to be raped, and that the Pentagon is spending way too much money on prevention and support services for victims of sexual violence in the Military.  Read the entire interview here.

 

 

 

If investing in the prevention of sexual violence against military women is such an offensive waste of money by the government, why isn't Liz Trotta concerned about the trillions of dollars our government spends on war (which happens to be a major contributing factor to the rape culture in which we live)?

She's right about one thing - if we continue to institutionalize systems that support and promote sexual violence, women will continue to be victimized.  Trotta is, of course, grotesquely out of touch (but in tune with dominant rape-casual attitudes that blame victims rather than perpetrators) when she places the responsibility of prevention on women who experience sexual violence in the military.

Where Trotta falls especially short, however, is in the assertion that the military's preventive strategy is problematic and wasteful.  At the very least, we need more victim advocates, crisis counselors, and "response coordinators" on the scene.  Perhaps, though, a better solution would be to address the underlying causal attitudes and problematic cultural paradigm that accepts sexual violence as an inevitable fact of life, particularly in the military.  The fact that the number of violent sexual assaults has jumped so noticeably over the past six years says something important - maybe rather than talking about how women in the military are asking to be raped simply by being there, we should address the myriad ways in which military culture hyper-genders men and reinforces the idea that violent behavior is a definitive expression of masculinity and power.

-Trisha

Monday Member Spotlight: Gender Justice

Monday Member Spotlight: Gender Justice

Who They Are

Open since June 2010, Gender Justice is a midwest-based nonprofit that seeks to eliminate gender inequality and injustice through advocacy, litigation, and education.  The organization represents both men and women in cases of gender-based discrimination or injury, and works specifically on cases that illuminate the root causes and of gender injustice.  

Their Mission

"Gender Justice addresses the causes and consequences of gender inequality, both locally and nationally."

What They Do

Founders Lisa Stratton and Jill Gaulding work hard to expose and rectify instances of gender-based inequality and discrimination through three interconnected program areas: impact litigation, policy work, and public education and training.  Their services are oriented towards helping individuals who are most likely to be faced with extraneous difficulty in accessing the justice system, such as low-income or immigrant workers.

 

Find out more about Gender Justice by visiting their website.

Meet another new intern at MNWC - Trisha

Hi!  I'm Trisha Harms.  I'm the new communications and outreach intern at the Minnesota Women's Consortium.  This semester I'll be doing lots of really exciting stuff for the MNWC like blogging, social networking, PR, and helping out with special events.  

I was born and raised in Minnesota, and there's really nowhere else I'd rather be (except on those really, really cold days).  I'm so excited to be a part of the wonderful work that the Women's Consortium does for the betterment of women's lives and the future of our glorious state.  I have a special interest in gender justice and LGBTQ issues as well as sexual violence prevention, where I have focused much of my academic work.  I'll be graduating from Hamline this Spring with a BA in English and Women's Studies, and right now I'm in the thick of the grad school application process.

When I'm not fulfilling my role as the MNWC's resident social media maven or catching up on homework, I can often be found wherever there's a microphone - I'm a karaoke junkie!  I also love crafting, learning about food preservation, and exploring the neighborhood with my dogs.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch - I'd love to field your questions and commentary.  Can't wait to hear from you!

 

-Trisha

Meet Emily! New Intern at the MWC!

Hello! My name is Emily Holland and I am the new College Feminists Connect Intern for Spring 2012. I am a currently a senior at Hamline University majoring in Women’s Studies with a minor in Sociology. I am looking forward to working with an amazing organization such as the MWC that continually works toward promoting women’s rights and connecting organizations and individuals across the state. Working for the promotion of women’s rights is a passion of mine that I plan to commit myself to for the rest of my life. One of my personal goals in life is to work in the area of comprehensive sex education and women’s health.

To give you a little information about myself, I was born and raised in Minnesota and as I grow older I have come to appreciate the many wonderful things that the Twin Cities have to offer. There are so many incredible people, places and things going on here. In my free time I love anything that allows me to be creative. Art is one of the other loves in my life. I enjoy working with animals and children as well as exploring and traveling with family and friends.

If you have any questions for me please don’t hesitate to ask. Stay tuned for more exciting blog posts and updates!

-Emily