EqualityQuilt

The Minnesota Women's Consortium has co-sponsored this event with the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women and Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault for two years now. Girls age 13-18 participate in the Teen Summit Against Dating Violence on Tuesday evening, and Girls Rock! including the Violence Against Women Action Day rally on Wednesday. The Girls Rock program includes Government 101, a workshop on "the Personal is Political," workshop on "Safety & Self Care for Teens," snarf pizza, meet with their own legislators, and wrap up with a mock committee hearing and cake. This year's hearing had stellar guest chairwomen: Andrea Lindgren from the Office on the Economic Status of Women, Speaker of the House Margaret Kelliher, and Rep. Kate Knuth, at 26 the youngest woman ever elected to the House. Gigantic kudos to the Consortium's Erin Parrish who managed the event every step of the way.

The Consortium's 28th anniversary party was held January 31, 2008 at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul. After the hors d'oeuvres and cash bar, we enjoyed a 10 minute video, "Steps Forward," with achievements of the Minnesota women's movement over the past 30 years; an excerpt from the chamber opera, "Meeting At Seneca Falls,"; and honored 12 mazing women.

The Women's Art Registry of Minnesota began managing exhibits of their members' work in the Minnesota Women's Building in February 2007. They inspire and energize staff and visitors for the 15 non-profit organizations housed here. You are welcome to come and see for yourself weekdays from 9AM to 4PM.

In March, 40 women came for workshops on how to lobby, issues like health care access, and much more, then met with their elected officials. A great day!

On November 15-16, 2007, the Minnesota Women's Consortium hosted a conference on "Women's Dreams: 1977-2007 & Beyond." We honored some of the Minnesota women who represented us at the National Women's Conference in Houston, Texas, in 1977. We also heard from young women who are moving into leadership in the new millennium. What a pleasure to learn once again that we have so much in common, despite all the ways we and our organizations are different.

Steinem came to the home of Ruth Usem in June 2007 for a breakfast conversation with members of the DFL Feminist Caucus, Democractic Women's Leadership Coalition, and many others. Now in her 70s, she is as thoughtful and articulate as ever.

From the 2 day LOLA training - Latinas Organizing for Leadership & Advocacy - offered at the Women's Building in June by the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health. Local host was the Asociacion Latinas de Minnesota. The event brought together 25 Latinas, including several from Greater Minnesota. They will continue meeting to help each other move forward as leaders & advocates.