EqualityQuilt

It Was Majorly Fun

...That's a direct quote from the first evaluation form I grabbed from Girls Rock! the Capitol 2008.  Something like 70 girls ages 13 to 18 participated in this event, which included public policy training, a rally against violence, meetings with their elected officials, a mock committee hearing... the Consortium's Erin Parrish was the mastermind.  Here are a few of my favorite photos.  Go browse them all at the Girls Rock Photo Album on right hand side of the blog.  Thanks to all the girls, leaders, and our many partner organizations for rocking our lives! - Bonnie  P.S. Also check out the post below with pix of the legislators who took time to visit.

Stars Who Made Time for Us

Here are some of the powerful women who took time out of horrendously busy days to say hello to teens at Girls Rock the Capitol 2008.   We are eternally grateful.

Far left:  My favorite girl (because of her bright colors) with Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher.  Center:  Rep. Kate Knuth and Executive Director of the Legislative Office on the Economic Status of Women Amy Brenengen.  Right:  Another stellar girl with Rep. Phyllis Kahn.  Below:  bunch of brilliant girls with Senator Mee Moua.    These photos and more are part of the "Girls Rock 2008" photo album on right side of the blog.   Enjoy!

Women Internationally

Here's the February 6 presentation from the series, "Still Fighting for Our Rights, 30 Years Later," hosted by the Women's Center at St. Cloud State University.  The 48-minute discussion below is entitled "International Affairs:  Perspectives on the Role of Women."  It features Dr. Mumbi Mwangi, assistant professor of women's studies with expertise in education, originally from Kenya;  and Dr. Swithina Mboko, visiting professor of women's studies from the University of Zimbabwe, with expertise in international business management. 

For background on the Beijing Platform and its expectations for the role of women in international affairs, go to the Minnesota Women's Action Plan page on this subject.   As International Women's Day approaches, you may also want to connect with the many Consortium groups working internationally:  Girls International Forum, Give Us Wings (Kenya & Uganda), Hadassah, Mila Vocal Ensemble, Zonta International, Organization for Burmese Refugees Abroad, and Women's Human Rights Program at Advocates for Human Rights.   Many additional groups work on international issues such as ending war, or provide assistance to immigrant and refugee women. 

For info on the International Women's Day conference on March 15 in Minneapolis, hosted by the Advocates for Human Rights, click here.

Women Presidents 2008

Presidents on Presidents' Day 2008 was so impressive!   20 presidents introduced their organizations to 6 freshman legislators and wowed us all.  They supported "universal, affordable, portable, high-quality health care recognizing the concerns of women & their families and communities of color."  Click here for their statement.

At press conference, L-R:  Susan K., Minneapolis Zonta; Cyndi Cook, MN Coalition for Battered Women; Pat Sandin, Midwest Health Center for Women; Diane Hendrickson, Nucleus Clinic; Kathy Magnuson, MN Women's Press; Peg Lonnquist, U of MN Office for University Women; Jae Asancheyev, Older Women's League; (obscured) Sarah Stoesz, Planned Parenthood; Jen Peterson, Consortium Chair and ACES president;  Dr. Mai Moua, Professional Hmong Women's Association and Leadership Paradigms, Inc.; Ellie Skelton, Wayside House; Ann Hoxie, School Nurse Organization of MN; Carol Sheggeby, American Association of University Women-St. Paul; Karen Kirkwood, AAUW-MN; Mary Gates, United Methodist Women/Emma Norton Residence.  Not pictured:  Sarit Sharma, Laura Jeffrey Academy; Donna Dunn, MN Coalition Against Sexual Assault;  Raj Chaudhary, SEWA/Asian Indian Family Wellness;  Dr. Nancy Raymond,  Deborah Powell Center for Women's Health;  Jill Hanson Roe, MN Assn. of Family & Consumer Sciences.    The short video below features group introductions by Wayside House, School Nurse Organization, Emma Norton residence, and AAUW.  For links to additional comments, click on the continuation page link.

Intern with us!

We are currently seeking an intern for the Spring 2008 semester. The job description is as follows:

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:  The MN Women’s Consortium is a coalition of a 170 women’s groups around the state working for women’s equality and justice.  The work of the Consortium is to connect and inform these groups as well as individual women to each other. 

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The MN Women’s Consortium is looking for an upbeat individual who can assist the organization in its work during the spring months.  Responsibilities include:

•    Assisting the staff with legislative and public policy tracking, which may include attending House and Senate Committee Hearings
•    Assist with upcoming Consortium events like Presidents on Presidents Day, Girls Rock! the Capitol, Women Come to the Capitol and our Spring Membership Meeting
•    Research topics and issues the Consortium is highlighting for things such as the Women’s Action Plan, Special Newsletter Inserts or for events.
•    Assist in the development of an in-house email list serve
•    Assist the Director of Communications and Outreach with an outreach project for new and potential member groups (this includes tabling at events, research about potential groups)
•    Assist Consortium staff with answering telephones, and general office work as well as any special projects that should arise.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants must have strong commitment to social and political equality for all women and girls. An applicant must be flexible, responsible and willing to take on new projects. Hours: 10-12 to be completed Mon-Fri, 9 AM - 4:30 PM. Availability on Wednesday mornings is preferred but not necessary.

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. Stipend provided.

HOW TO APPLY:
Send resume and cover letter by February 29 to:

erin@mnwomen.org

More C28 photos

Thanks to Ambassador Erin we now have many more photos in the Celebration 28 album (see them all by clicking on the album to the right).   Honorees seated, L-R:  Tene Wells, WomenVenture;  Patty Tanji, Pay Equity Coalition of Minnesota; Beth from Welfare Rights Committee; Shirley Nelson, Women Candidate Development Coalition; Farheen Hakeem, Girl Scouts and Grasstops;  Raj Chaudhary, SEWA- Asian Indian Family Wellness; Kathy Ahrens- Minnesota NOW; Ann DeGroot, OutFront Minnesota;  Polly Mann, Women Against Military Madness; Lonna Stevens, Sheila Wellstone Institute.  Consortium board members standing L-R:  Barbara Pecks, Women in the Trades; Halee Vang, Member At Large;  Diane Tran, League of Women Voters/LOTT; Jan Rabbers, Minnesota Nurses Association;  Nina Rothchild, member emerita; Deb Pridgen, Girl Scouts; Jane Nelson, Women's Center of St Cloud State University; Melissa Nambangi, MN African Women's Association; Luanne Koskinen, American Association of University Women; Dawn Hughes, Women's Programs of Employment Action; Coral Butson, Center on Women & Public Policy; Jen Peterson, Association for Children for Enforcement of Support;  Anita Patel, YWCA of Minneapolis. 

Women Artists Keep Us Warm

Maybe I'm biased with this morning's windchill at 40 below zero.  The Women's Art Registry of Minnesota has been curating these exhibits for us for a little more than a year now, and you must come see!  How about original art as a gift for your Valentine?  The free and open to the public reception for the Bebeau and Lee exhibit will be Saturday, February 23, 7-9PM and you already know our building is at 550 Rice Street, St Paul 55103.  You may also come tour anytime M-F, 9AM to 4PM.  The current show ends March 28. 

At left is "Window Escape #2,"  2006, pigmented ink jet print on canvas, Jess Lee.  (Remember you can always get a better view of images on the blog by clicking on the image.)   Jes says, "In life we encounter a barrage of visual stimulation that morphs and mixes together in our memories."  Lee's "No Swimming" is included in the reception postcard - click here.

On the right is "Line Over Line," 2007, 24" x 24" acrylic on canvas, Loretta Bebeau.  Loretta says, "The layers [of color] represent a history, and in that way become a metaphor for life itself... Gesture is movement and movement creates growth." 

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!

Report from Celebration 28

The staff are still glowing from the great pleasure of our 28th anniversary party.  Many, many thanks to all who came and/or supported us financially.  The 10 minute Steps Forward DVD was much appreciated.  (You can have a copy for yourself for $6 mailed to MWC, 550 Rice Street, St. Paul 55103 - it includes footage from magical moments like the grand opening of the Minnesota Women's Building in 1988, founding of groups like Women in the Trades, creation of the Silent Witnesses, the St. Paul Junior League's Shaken Baby project, Gopher Women's Hockey  national championships, Antarctic Women's Expedition, and more.)  The opera was glorious and inspiring.  And thanking the honorees was the best treat of all.   To see photos from this event, click on the album on the right.  We hope for more photos soon from our ambassador to China, Erin Moline!

And for those who missed it at the party or in the Capitol Bulletin, following are the inspiring statements from honorees when asked how we-all can help make women's dreams come true: 

Another Older Woman Rocks for Peace

Lloyd Brant from Theater of Fools, and his mom, gave us permission to include this great story.  Just a quick note for any who haven't caught on yet to the power and activism of older women! And thanks to NOW's Kathy Ahrens for connecting us.  -Bonnie

Mom the Peace Maker

Attached is a photo of my Mom talking to George Bush.  The story is that after the I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, my Mother was working for the Red Cross as a volunteer psychologist when Bush came to visit the disaster site.  She was one of twenty people selected to greet him.  As the president approached he read my Mom's name tag and said "Why hello Elaine, how are you today?" My Mom seeing the opening stepped forward past the Secret Service, shook his hand and didn't let go until she could say, "Can I say a sentence to you?"  Bush answered back, "Why Elaine you can say a whole paragraph."  The attached photo is of my Mother speaking to Bush about the need for a two state solution for the Israel-Palestinian conflict.  This moment was just days after she had returned from Africa where she helped dedicate a bricks and mortar building for the first Bachelor of Arts Degree Program for Counseling in Tanzania at Tumaini University.  She was a major inspiration for the creation of this Counseling Program and had just finished teaching what will be the first graduating class.  At this time my Mom was also just recovering from a serious bout of malaria while in Africa and currently on a liquid diet for a separate condition that days later she needed major surgery to cure.  All of this at age 83.

If we could all remain this vital as my Mother is at her age, what kind of world would our children inherit?  Thanks Mom!