EqualityQuilt

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.

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...

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

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's Ways of Leadership

Dr. Mai Moua made this presentation as part of the series, "Still Fighting for Our Rights 30 Years Later," at St Cloud State University Women's Center recently.  I know Mai draws from her doctoral thesis, in which she asked women who define themselves as bicultural what leadership means to them.  She is super smart and connected with at least three of our member organizations - her consulting firm Leadership Paradigms,whose mission is to challenge and transform one's ways of knowing and being;   Hnub Tshiab ("A New Day") which seeks lasting cultural, institutional, and social change for Hmong women; and Professional Hmong Women Association  (nurturing the personal and professional growth of Hmong women).  Ultra-connected women, that's us!   

Hooray for Muslim Girl Scouts

Thanks to Rachel Smoka of the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys for alerting us to the New York Times article on this - with beautiful photos including (on right) Consortium friend Farheen Hakeem....   

To Muslim Girls,
              Scouts Offer a Chance to Fit In
MINNEAPOLIS — Sometimes when Asma Haidara, a 12-year-old Somali immigrant, wants to shop at Target or ride the Minneapolis light-rail system, she puts her Girl Scout sash over her everyday clothes, which usually include a long skirt worn over pants as well as a swirling head scarf.  She has discovered that the trademark green sash — with its American flag, troop number (3009) and colorful merit badges — reduces the number of glowering looks she draws from people otherwise bothered by her traditional Muslim dress.   Click here to  see & read more.   

 

Community Battered Women's Programs

Listen to Lupe Serrano, director of Casa de Esperanza, describing a new approach to engaging whole communities in violence prevention work.  Hers was the second in the series, "Still Fighting for Our Rights," from the Women's Center at St. Cloud State.   Click here for the previous speech by Vivian Jenkins- Nelsen.  And don't forget to register for the Women's Dreams Conference, Nov. 15-16!

Annual Meeting Features Sheletta!

Have you checked out Sheletta Brundidge - KSTP-TV talk show host (you have to get up early on Sunday mornings to see her but you will NOT be sorry), author of "As the Down Low Brother Turns" soap opera in the Spokesman-Recorder newspaper, comic, & full-time mom?  If not, QUICK! register to attend the Women's Consortium annual meeting July 18, 5:30PM at the Four Points Sheraton in Minneapolis.  More info here on costs etc.   Meanwhile, here's a sneak peek at the commercial for CrossRoads, featuring among many others Mai Moua of Leadership Paradigms and Silvia Ontaneda, queen of the Latinas Association. 

Latinas Organizing for Reproductive Health

Recently the Minnesota Women's Building buzzed with the warmth and color and vivacity of 25 Latinas and 7 of their kids as the Asociacion Latinas de Minnesota hosted a two day training session.   The LOLA program - Latinas Organizing for Leadership and Advocacy - was conducted entirely in Spanish.  It was led by the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health and their New York City staff, including executive director Silvia Henriquez and education director Ligia Rivera.  The Consortium was proud to serve as fiscal agent and host for ALM staffer Veronica Flake and leaders Silvia Ontaneda and Migdalia Loyola.  Thanks to financial support from many choice groups we also enjoyed a Friday night reception at the beautiful Veterans Service Building.   The two short videos below are (a) Senator Patricia Torres Ray welcoming the training participants and encouraging continued involvement, and (b) dancers from Raices who livened up the party. Please visit the "Latinas Organizing" photo album on left side of the blog for many more pics.         

Visiting Kalsang

Hi everybody,

This is Kalsang from Tibetan Women having fun with Bonnie and Erin at my house.   This family of ducks are right in front of my house. Hope you like it.  If you like to learn more about Tibetan Women please go to the international webpage.  -Kalsang Wangdu, Communications Director, Tibetan Women's Association of Minnesota

(Erin Parrish and I enjoyed a delicious meal made by Kalsang - who claims she can't cook - before offering a few geek tips to help her set up a Minnesota website for her group. Of course we'll link you as soon as it's ready.   We were all very disappointed that Jetsun Pima, the sister of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, was not able to be in Minnesota this week as her husband had a medical emergency - but hope to meet her someday, and to get to know the wonderful Tibetan women better.   If you missed out on our past post about the Tibetan Women's Uprising of 1959, click here to review.  And please send us a friendly word by clicking on "Comment" below!  -Bonnie)

My week: Les Soeurs, Latinas, & more

Too long I've been away from the blog!  But glad to say we've had more than 2,000 visitors so far.   Here are some of the recent doings of the Minnesota Women's Consortium.  If you don't know this already, you can very often click on a pic or a link to learn more, see related information, and above all please don't forget to leave me a comment by clicking below the post!

Ran into these beautiful women on a sad occasion, the funeral of Les Soeurs founder Lia Ozols.  It turns out Lia was a major supporter of freedom for her home country, Latvia, besides all her support for women.  These three - Jean Rand, Diane Cummisford, and Mary McEnneny - are among those who banded together over 25 years ago to provide moral support for women filing sex discrimination lawsuits.  Diane continues as co-leader of Workplace Justice, a Consortium member group that meets every other Saturday for similar purposes.  They are not web-icious, but you can reach Diane at 952/996-9291.

Meanwhile, back at the office, we hired Veronica Flake (far right) for the temporary position of Latina Coordinator for the Asociacion Latinas de Minnesota.  ALM will be hosting an intensive two-day training session on reproductive health advocacy for 25 Minnesota Latinas in June.  And, here's a workday pic of Erin and Lorraine trying to make the new list-serve work - with one of the beautiful fabric art pieces in the background.

Girls Coalition of Minnesota

The Girls Coalition of Minnesota hosted its 17th annual Conference on Adolescent Females yesterday and today.  Looked like a wonderful gathering, with dozens of exhibitors, 15 breakout sessions, 3 keynoters, spoken word and Twin Cities Women's Choir performances.  (Click here to hear TCWC.) The mission of the Coalition is to provide resources, training, and networking opportunities that empower adults to create a just and equitable future for girls.   Some of the participants are pictured here. (L) Deb Pridgen of the Girl Scouts and CGM board member, and Makeda Norris of the Urban League, both part of the Respect workshop for those who work with African-American young women.  (R) Maddie Funk, junior high student and member of the Girls Advisory Board, and Tanya Wenning, board member for the Girls Coalition.

Tibetan Women of Minnesota Rally

On March 12, 1959, the women of Tibet took to the streets in protest of the Chinese occupation and the brutal treatment of all Tibetans.  Before, during and since that day, many Tibetan women have been imprisoned, tortured, and killed.  Today on the 48th anniversary of that day, the Regional Tibetan Women’s Association held a rally at the State Capitol Rotunda. Download tibetan_womens_statement.pdf

The small snippet of the movie below shows the singing of the Uprising Song – but the audio cannot do justice to their beautiful strong voices rising up into the crystal dome.  Mrs. Kunsang Chony Lhewa (center far right in the photo, in green), Vice President of the RTWA, explained to me afterwards that when many Tibetans escaped to India, they created their own new Constitution which guarantees women equal rights.  And did you know that Minnesota is the second largest resettlement area for Tibetan refugees in the United States, after New York City? 

Download tibet_what_you_can_do.doc to help Tibetan women, or visit the international website of the TWA.  To connect with the Tibetan women of Minnesota, write to Kalsang Wangdu, communications director (she is in center front in the photo, in black and white). 

Monday Musings + SAFPlan, MN Advocates

* We are excited about the big Celebration (Download C27flyer2color.pdf) event Wednesday evening - for sure an outstanding party, so give us a call at 651/228-0338 if you're planning to come. * I fried my laptop so apologies to those I'm not responding to fast enough  this week.  *  Lorraine wrapped up all kinds of year-end financial reports, AND got new plastic roller thingies to go under our chairs, much needed!  * Erin is  working on this week's E-Consortium Notes and next week's Capitol Bulletin, AND scheduling legislative appointments for the girls coming to Girls Rock! the Capitol on February 28. 

* Bharti and Karmann are monitoring the fast-breaking action at the Capitol.   SAFPlan encourages you to attend a hearing on HF 298, a pro-family planning bill, set for next Tuesday, February 6 at 2:30PM.  Contact Peg LaBore at 651/645-0478 if you can be there, or for more info. 

* My femi-geek skills are not quite up to putting this interview on the blog itself, but you should be able to click on this link to hear a wonderful interview of Aviva Breen, board chair for our member group Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, on the Minnesota Public Radio "Midday" show recently.  (Not certain this will work for Mac people - click on "comment" below & let me know.) Aviva (that's her on the right) touches on their work with domestic abuse in Bulgaria, education for girls in Nepal, and much more.   -- Bonnie

La Asociacion le pertenece a toda mujer...

Muchas gracias al Women's Consortium por el apoyo brindado a la Minnesota Latina Women's Association. De hecho el nombre del proyecto nacio de una conversacion informal con Bonnie y Bharti, quienes tomaron muy en serio la propuesta.

La Asociacion le pertenece a toda mujer que sienta que su espiritu y sus raices estan compenetrados con la cultura Latina y que este buscando un espacio para compartir la riqueza de nuestra herencia. La mujer, de por si, tiene una generosidad y una autenticidad al dar que es desbordante. Ese es un ingrediente fundamental para ejercer un liderazgo comprometido en esta sociedad de cambio. Por este motivo, la Asociacion de Mujeres Latinas de Minnesota tiene como mision reconocer, promover, destacar, pulir e implementar el liderazgo de la mujer Latina dentro de la esfera politica, social, academica, y por ende, economica. Esta es una invitacion formal a que tu mujer Latina, aunes esfuerzos para seguir construyendo una sociedad mas justa para nuestra generacion y las generaciones por venir! Para estar en la lista que envía para el Asociacion, envíe por favor su email address y su dirección postal al consorcio: info@mnwomen.org o 550 Rice Street, St Paul, Minnesota 55103. GRACIAS WOMEN'S CONSORTIUM!!!
- Silvia Ontaneda, president, Asociacion de Mujeres Latinas de Minnesota

(Click here for English translation.) Download alm_welcome.doc

Making Connections

That's what the Minnesota Women's Consortium is all about. Shown here are (L-R) businesswoman Mary Tjosvold of Mary T Inc. and staff of the Women's Initiative for Self-Empowerment (WISE) Mayalan Brown and Anusha Ramachandran. They attended an exploratory meeting to learn more about micro-credit and how it can benefit potential women entrepreneurs. Mary serves on the Consortium's Advisory Council, and WISE is a member organization. For more about micro-credit, subscribe to the Capitol Bulletin newsletter, which will feature this topic soon!