EqualityQuilt

Economic Stimulus - Education vs. Underwear

My name is Bharti Wahi and I work at the MN Women’s Consortium.  This is my first time posting anything on the blog, but the irony of my situation was so great that I felt compelled to write.  In during these tough economic times of the $4 a gallon gas prices and a $4 dozen of eggs, money is tight for all of us.  In the last years governments (local, federal, and state) have been unwilling to invest in infrastructure in the communities we live in.  And the thing of it is, we may pay less in taxes, but in the end we all pay.  Let me share my story

I am the mother of two, which is often a strange, difficult and wonderful thing.  My oldest has just turned 5 and it is with great pride and trepidation that I am sending him off to kindergarten this coming fall.  My family and I live in Minneapolis and my son will be attending Minneapolis Pubic School.  Not to bore you too much, but I have sweated and cursed my way through the school selection process in Minneapolis and finally in February decided upon our neighborhood school – just three blocks from our house.  My partner and I have always been strong supporters of public schools and are so happy to have our son attend.

New Summer Intern

As the new intern at the Consortium this summer, I'd like to take the time to introduce myself to everyone.  I'm Julia Quanrud from Caledonia, Minnesota, and I'm a senior at Macalester College in Saint Paul.  I'm studying English literature and Hispanic Studies, and I also work with the school's Civic Engagement Center as the Women and Gender Issue Area Coordinator.  My work there involves developing partnerships between Macalester students and community organizations committed to working on women's and gender issues.  After I graduate from Macalester next spring, I hope to continue working with organizations committed to working for women's rights, so I'm very grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the great organizations working in Minnesota and to meet all of you!

Having just returned from living and studying for half a year in Seville (Sevilla), Spain, I'm happy to be back in Minnesota, and just in time for summer!  I love playing sports in the summer, including soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, cycling, and swimming.  You can also find me this summer buried in a book, hiking around the woods of Minnesota, or scoping out the music scene.  I look forward to getting to know you and your organizations!

Fundraising in Tough Times

The Minnesota Women's Consortium hosted a wonderful training session today to help feminist groups and other small nonprofits prepare fundraising plans, reach out to individual donors, write socko grant proposals, and connect with each other.  Many thanks to wonderful presenters Mala Thao, a private development consultant;  Aretha Green-Ruppert of the Girl Scouts of Minnesota & Wisconsin River Valleys;  Amy Hellwich of the Women's Foundation of Minnesota;  Jody Williams of Community Shares Minnesota; Marilyn Bryant of the Consortium's Seneca Falls Council of Advisors;  and Consortium director of member services Bharti Wahi who organized the event.   

Left: Mala and Aretha talk about approaching individual donors.  Below:  Amy, Jody, and Marilyn discuss "do's and "don'ts" of fundraising.

Progress for Women of Color?

Next in the wonderful series from the Women's Center at St. Cloud State University, which reports on each of the 26 planks from the Houston Plan created at the National Women's Meeting in 1977. The speakers are Debra Leigh, a professor in the theater and film department at SCSU; Sharon Fineday, interim student services coordinator at the SCSU American Indian Center and an enrolled member of the Assiniboine & Sioux Tribe of Fort Peck, Montana; and Dr. Margaret Villaneuva, a professor in the department of community studies.  Can you answer Leigh's question, "Who was the African-American woman seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. presidency in 1988?"  The first person submitting the correct answer by pressing "comment" section below will win a free one-year subscription to our socko Capitol Bulletin newsletter.

Stay Connected - Contribute Today!

If we don't have your snail-mail address, you have not seen our spring fundraising letter (Download FRletter.pdf) - poor you!  It's a great quick review of the Minnesota Women's Consortium - who we are, what we do, what's coming up next, and why you want to be a part of it.  Our fiscal year ends June 30, and we need your help to carry on the feminist work so important now, on the cusp of history - with big budget deficits and new elected officials ahead for our state and our nation.   Do take this opportunity to let us know you care - contributions of all sizes are very welcome, and we are famous for pinching every penny. You can give anytime via "make a gift today" on our regular website.

A quick preview of the letter:  largest statewide network.. an award for organizational leadership... informative publications.. unique events.. education on issues & strategies ... resource materials ... nurturing services...But, we have not yet reached equality!  So coming up:  health care reform ... economic security for older women... Greater Minnesota women... electoral projects ... increased technical assistance.  Please consider making a tax deductible contribution!   

Thank you so much! 

On Franken, Reasonable Feminists Can Disagree

Former Saturday Night Live satirist Al Franken recently received the Minnesota Democrats' nomination as their candidate for the U.S. Senate, challenging incumbent Republican Senator Norm Coleman.   In the week before the endorsing convention, several past Franken writings were widely publicized:  an article he wrote for Playboy including satiric references to, for example, a school called Minnesota MIT - the Minnesota Institute of Titology; and a sketch he proposed for SNL including a "joke" about Andy Rooney intending to rape Leslie Stahl.  Both comments were made at least a decade ago, and Franken apologized (click here to read an excerpt in the UPI story) at the DFL convention.  Below we'll summarize comments from NOW leaders Shannon Drury and Erin Matson (Erin is on the left above), Congresswoman Betty McCollum (on right above), and former president Mari Pokornowski of the DFL Feminist Caucus. 

But first, a few of my own thoughts (it's me, Bonnie Watkins):

* As a nonpartisan 501c3 organization, the Consortium cannot endorse candidates or engage in any form of "electioneering," so this article does not endorse or electioneer - just passes on info.  Neither I nor the Consortium will ever tell you how to vote.

* In the spirit of full disclosure, candidate Al Franken was one of many political candidates (including his then-opponent Mike Ciresi) who was listed as a paid sponsor of the Consortium's 28th birthday party in January 2008.

*  In the aftermath of Franken's endorsement, it has seemed to me that the media dismiss the critique of his satire by calling it "bawdy" rather than "sexist."  Combined with a million other things including the treatment of Hillary Clinton as a presidential candidate, I believe the entire women's movement has been ignored and dismissed of late.  But maybe that's another article or 12.

* In assessing Franken's comments, I have not seen analysts talking about the incredibly male culture of comedy.  In the past decade, on family vacations I've visited comedy clubs in San Diego, Chicago, and New York, and in every case the vast majority of standups were guys, and the vast bulk of their humor

Understanding Eating Disorders

Another great podcast from the Women's Center at St. Cloud State University! Here is a brief description, given by the Women's Center: "In the United States today, millions of adolescents and young adults are struggling with eating disorders, and many do not have adequate health insurance to cover this illness. This presentation will address the historical socio-cultural influences, such as media and societal messages that contribute to the development of eating disorders, as well as the signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. Further, this session will define normal, healthy eating behavior and offer support to someone who may be suffering from an eating disorder or disordered eating. Join us in opposing the dangerous practice of glorifying thinness and resolve to take care of your body."

Please click on the bar below to hear this podcast from the Women's Center "Women on Wednesday" podcast series- this presentation originally ran on February 27. The presenter is Sharon Johnson, a Registered Dietitian with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Minnesota. According to the Women's Center, Johnson currently facilitates binge eating disorder groups and conducts initial assessments at Park Nicollet Eating Disorders Institute at Methodist Hospital.

Another New WARM Exhibit!

We so much enjoyed the last Women's Art Registry of Minnesota exhibit here at the Minnesota Women's Building and were sad to see it go, but we are also very much excited about WARM's newest exhibit in the building! To tour the current pieces, please come visit us at 550 Rice Street in St. Paul from 9:00am-4:00pm, M-F. The exhibit will end July 24. WARM will also be holding a free and open to the public reception for the new exhibit this Saturday, May 31 from 2:00-5:00pm here at the Minnesota Women's Building. If you're interested in meeting the artists in person, this reception is a great opportunity to do so and meet other individuals devoted to the women's art community in Minnesota.

   Here at the left is a beautiful photograph titled "Wash on the Line" by Cheryl Walsh Bellville. Cheryl has several other pieces displayed throughout the building, and they are definitely worth checking out! If you are interested in Cheryl's work and would like to know more about it, please contact her at cwb@baldwin-telecom.net or visit her website, www.cwbphotography.com.

On the right is one of Francene Christianson's paintings, "Sunrise in Old Frontenac." Like Cheryl, Francene has many beautiful pieces in the current exhibit that are quite compelling to observe in person. For more about Francene's work, please visit her website, www.mnartists.org/Francene_Christianson.

As always, you may view many other pieces from this exhibit, as well as previous Minnesota Women's Building exhibits by clicking on the Women's Art Registry of Minnesota photo album on the right side of the blog. We hope you enjoy looking through the photos, and maybe we'll see you on Saturday!

The Blessing of a Food Shelf

Our own Consortium board chair, Jen Peterson, also the president of the Twin Cities chapter of the Association for Children for Enforcement of Support (ACES), recently wrote a letter to the editor of the South Washington County Bulletin about her experience with a local food shelf. In addition to the letter being printed, Jen was also interviewed by National Public Radio (visit the NPR website, www.npr.org to hear Jen's interview). We found Jen's story so compelling and important that we asked if we could share it with our readers here on the blog, to which Jen graciously agreed. Here is Jen's letter (edited slightly for length), as it appeared in the Bulletin.

You may think I'm crazy for writing this about such a personal experience but I think people need to know that a Food Shelf Experience isn't a bad thing and that it's every day people, your friends and neighbors, who are having to rely on this "Blessing" in our community these days.

After months of trying to stretch our grocery dollars and put off the inevitable I recently had to give up the fight and I went to the Friends In Need Food Shelf in St. Paul Park. This was just a couple weeks ago and it was the first time since 2004. My husband and I struggled with having to do this again, but it's tough times that make pride a little easier to swallow.  I was used to this as a formerly single mom of 4.  I was no stranger to the food shelf.  The food shelf was a regular source of food for me and my kids during the many times that my ex wasn’t paying child support and my own income wasn‘t enough. 

Back in 04, there were a few issues going on that were making it tough for us to have enough food for our family.  I was working 2 part time jobs with pretty flexible schedules so I could be around more for the kids and avoid the dreaded huge daycare expense. My husband was working full time. In my free time I was working on representing myself in a lawsuit against my ex husband’s former employer for failing to withhold the court ordered child support between 1999-2001. In the early months of 04, as in most years, I was receiving little to no child support from my ex as his employment is seasonal and he didn't always qualify for unemployment during those times. My husband and I had fallen for that whole sub-prime mortgage mess and were in a mortgage that had a high interest rate. We had a car break down and a big repair bill. My Grandpa became ill (and dying) and needed care so I was taking time off of work to help in his care. You know, the typical stuff that happens that can push an already tight budget over the edge. Well, since then we've been blessed by better jobs, more regular child support payments and an inheritance from Grandpa and finally, the settlement on that child support lawsuit. What a relief.  Our family financial security was stabilizing.  It seemed like we were just getting comfortable in the middle class...

Alissa's Albanian Adventures!

Many of our readers may remember former Consortium intern, Alissa Ridenour. While at MWC, Alissa was a Macalester student, but having graduated last Spring, she has moved on to even more ambitious endeavors. Alissa is currently in the first phase of her 27 month service stay in Albania with the Peace Corps! Currently staying in the village of Schtermen with a host family, Alissa will move much further north after she is sworn into service on June 13th. Fortunately, Alissa does have some access to email and has been able to send a few updates on her experiences, including some pictures with her most recent email!

Here, Alissa is standing in front of a men's only bar/cafe. Apparently, it is quite common for bars, restaurants, and cafes to refuse to serve women, especially after dark. Few women leave their houses after dark anyway, so it's a fairly accepted practice. Alissa tells us that she hasn't ventured into a "gentleman's cafe" yet, but she is holding a copy of the Capitol Bulletin that Bonnie sent her, so we have hope that she'll be able to infiltrate them with the message of women's equality!

Check out another fun picture of Alissa with her Capitol Bulletin and more interesting info on Albania after the jump...

Fun Items on Our Wall!

We always enjoy the lovely illustrations and messages that get shared on our chalk wall in the bathroom here at the Minnesota Women's Building. This month, however, we had some exceptional artwork that we wanted to share with you all here on the blog.
What a fantastic spider! This creepy-crawler was drawn by Jackson, the son of Linnea, who works upstairs in the building for NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota. We don't usually get animal pictures on our wall, let alone friendly spiders, so thank you, Jackson!

To the right is a self-portrait drawn by Taylor, who, as you can tell, is ten years old. What you might not know is that Taylor was the first student officially enrolled at the Laura Jeffrey Academy for its inaugural school year this fall. Way to go, Taylor! We wish you all the best at LJA.

The next time you're visiting the Minnesota Women's Building, be sure to stop in and see all of the great quotes and illustrations on our wall...and add a few of your own! - Allison MacWilliams-Brooks

WAND Training on the Federal Budget

On April 15, the Consortium was proud to host a training on the proposed U.S Budget, presented by Bobbie Wrenn Banks from the Atlanta office of  Women's Action for New Directions (WAND).  Consortium member groups, other groups working on these important issues (like the Minnesota Council on Nonprofit Budget Project), and interested individuals like "I'm a mom of seven, just serve on the usual stuff like the PTA, but this budget is really hurting our family" attended. Among the amazing facts: * even Dick Cheney and John McCain tried to cancel funding for several jet bombers that do not function correctly - but we are still paying $200 million - $300 million apiece for these atrocities.  * the U.S. military budget is 6 times as large as the next-largest military superpower, China  * research shows that we could create more jobs, better paid jobs, and more sustainable jobs, by spending our tax dollars on true homeland security (state and local funding), "green" jobs, and projects like building affordable housing, than on offensive weapons  * working together ordinary people can change our national budget priorities. Watch for more info to come. - Bonnie, with help from Allison.

Above left:  Who gets the 8% of the (pumpkin) pie for education?  Right:  very attentive crowd we hope will stay connected.   Lower right:  Minnesota board members for WAND and its affiliate, Women in Legislative Leadership:  June Mathiowetz, Alice Lynch, Rep. Phyllis Kahn, Sen. Sandy Pappas. 

Left:  Women legislators and Capitol staff who were briefed on the U.S. budget proposal.  To connect with the chapter of Minnesota WAND now forming, write Alice.

Beijing Betrayed

The Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) released it's fifth report, Beijing Betrayed: Women Worldwide Report that Governments Have Failed To Turn the Platform into Action, assessing governments’ progress in implementing the commitments made to the world’s women at the U.N.'s Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. It documents reports from women in 150 countries representing all regions in the world. The report shows that women's realities often contrast with the official reports of their governments concluding that "In this climate, which constrains resources and narrows views about acceptable women’s roles, few governments have mobilized the political will or high-level leadership to carry out the commitments made to women at Beijing. As a result, many women in all regions are actually worse off now than they were ten years ago." Download the report here.

The Women's Art Registry of Minnesota is hosting a new exhibit at the Minnesota Women's Building, 550 Rice Street, Saint Paul. Since the WARM artists began exhibiting in our building we have been in awe of the talent and creativity of so many women artists. Please come tour the current art anytime M-F, 9AM to 4PM. Or if you would love to meet the artists in person come to their free and open to the public reception on Sunday, April 13 from 1PM to 3PM. The current show ends May 24.. 

At left is "Teapot," ink drawing, Beth Karon.  Beth's drawings are largely based on decades of doodles and sketches she saved in sketchbooks. She says that "most of my creations rarely derive from any preconceived ideas. Each one starts with a line of ink or a swoosh of color, and from there I play with what I see." 

On the right is "Free to Be," a mosaic of dishes, mirror, glass, beads, glass tile and polymer clay by Linda Mix Yates.  Linda says "I experience my work as rescuing each broken and discarded pottery object and restoring it to its former glory by giving it a new life and form.

You may also view images from previous Women's Building exhibits by visiting the WARM Photo Album on the right side of the blog and by clicking here, (Claudia Poser and Joan Cox) here, (Mary Lee Eischen and Nancy Kahlow), here  (Mimi Holmes and Sally Nystrom), and here (Barbara Harmann and Alice Giannobile). Enjoy!

 

Are you a Feminist?

I am. And I am not afraid to call myself a feminist in public. However, many women are afraid to tell others that they are a feminist. If they do, they get that "I'm saying a dirty word look" on their faces. Lately, I feel like this trend is spreading to the word women. Organizations no longer want to have the word women in their mission, they don't want to address women's issues during meetings and they do not want to be affiliated with other feminist groups. This trend has not only spread to organizations, but has began happening on college campuses. Women's Studies Departments are becoming Gender Studies Departments, and Women's Studies majors do not consider themselves feminists.

Why is this? Why are women scared to be identified as feminists or to be part of a women's community? Why do women who support women's equality contribute to the backlash against these words? The following clip from "I Was a Teenage Feminist" offers a few ideas, but we want to know what you think. Are you a feminist? Will you call yourself one in public? -Erin

A start in the right direction

Hello I'm Jen.

I am a senior at Hamline University and graduating in the Spring.  I am a History major with an emphasis in Women's History.  I am an advocate for women!  I am especially passionate about women's sexuality and public health and want to educate youth to be independent healthy decision makers in their life.  I do not see myself having my own classroom, but more of an informal path to teach through organizations.  I also believe women do not know much about Women's history, which as a result, hinders activism from women in society, at least those of younger generations.  This is something I hope to change.  The women's consortium is a great place to start and I love the women here.  I try to go with the flow and see where I go...in this crazy world, things sometimes seem hopeless and uncomfortable, but I do still have hope and optimism in all that's amiss. It's been quite an adventure so far and I love it.   (Note from Bonnie:  to check out the great Hamline Women's Studies program, click here.)

Women Came to the Capitol

On March 12, roughly 35 women attended Women Come to the Capitol to learn about lobbying, issues and meet with their legislators. If you were unable to attend, check out the photo album and the video clips from the event. There are more clips below the jump. Thank you so much to our speakers and panelists: Kathleen Murphy (Midwest Health Center for Women), Carla Ferucci (Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women), Mary Jo George (of Minnesota Nurses Association, in video below) Mary Cecconi (Parents United for Public Schools) and Sally Hassell (Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota).

Kalsang, We Are Thinking of You

With the news of renewed fighting between Tibetans and the Chinese government, we are extra glad to hear from Consortium friend Kalsang Wangdu who keeps us in touch with the Tibetan Women's Association of Minnesota.   She sent us this pic from her recent presentation to the women of Red Wing.  I first learned last year about the Women's Uprising in Tibet of 1959, commemorated by the TWAM in an event at the state Capitol.   I think some of the women and men arrested then died in jail.  The beautiful singing of the Tibetan Minnesotans about the longing for peace  can still be heard by clicking here for one of our previous articles.  Our heartfelt best wishes to you and yours on both continents, Kalsang.  -Bonnie

Title IX and Women in Sports

From the Women's Center at St. Cloud State University:  "Two thousand and seven marked the 35th anniversary of Title IX, the landmark legislation passed in 1972 prohibiting sex discrimination in all areas of education. Title IX has, perhaps, been most visible in the area of sports, consequently a large body of research has documented the physical, social and psychological dimensions of sport in the lives of girls and women. This presentation will address the impact, the numbers, the reactions, and the benefits of Title IX, specifically as it relates to women in sports at the collegiate level."

'Social change is slow; it requires persistence over time, one person, one action at a time. We are still working to realize the promise of Title IX.'  - Donna Lopiano, former CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation.

Click on the bar below to hear this presentation from the "Women on Wednesday" series from the Women's Center at St. Cloud State University - originally presented on February 20.   The presenters are Dr. Susan Becker, associate director of athletics and senior women's administrator at St. Cloud State, and Dr. Lori Ulferts, head women's basketball coach at St. Cloud State. 

Hi, We are the New Hamline University Interns.

Working at the Women's Consortium has been so far a great opportunity. The staff here are a joy to work with and are very empowered women who can influence the world around us.   We are very excited to see what else this organization can do in our lives as well as the community around St. Paul.

    

Sarah Ann                                                      Kelly