EqualityQuilt

Gloria Steinem Rocks Again

  (from Bonnie)  Many thanks to womenwinning for hosting their 27th annual luncheon yesterday featuring Gloria Steinem, in addition to Senator Amy Klobuchar and a fabulous parade of elected pro-choice Minnesota women.   I especially appreciate womenwinning helping us take advantage of sponsorships so we could bring two staff members and all three of our twenty-something summer interns.  Steinem was brilliant of course.  I will leave it to others at the Consortium to add their impressions, but for now here are a couple of fun pics. First are long-time Consortium friends Sunny Hansen of Born Free and Aviva Breen of The Advocates for Human Rights.  Then all three Consortium interns Kayoua, Cece, Alanna.  Then Cece and Marie with Steinem.   Then Elder-Nomics staffer Marie with Minneapolis Mayor Rybak.  Another tribute to the dynamism and inter-connectedness of the Minnesota feminist community - go us!

AAUW National Executive Meets MN Leaders

Minnesota AAUW co-presidents Karen Kirkwood & Mary Parcheta hosted a roundtable conversation with national AAUW executive director Linda Hallman and 13 leaders of Minnesota women's groups recently.  The American Association of University Women is over 100 years old and deeply committed to gender equity on all fronts. 

Great conversation!  I'm always impressed when any of us busy people get out of our organizational silos and connect.  Highly recommended:  connect with national AAUW and/or Minnesota AAUW to check out their awesome research & other resources.  Special thanks to Karen & Mary for delicious food, and Dave Kirkwood for greatest name tents ever and other backup.  -Bonnie

L-R:  Linda Hallman, Karen Kirkwood accepting her Consortium award.  Below: representatives of the Consortium,  National Women's Studies Association Journal,  Minnesota ACE network, Mary Parcheta (end of table), Minnesota Pay Equity Coalition and Business & Professional Women.  Obscured or not in photo:  representatives of Child Care Works and Women Candidate Development Coalition.

Women Come to the Capitol

Friday was a chance for women of all ages to get acquainted with their state capitol and learn more about the legislative process and current issues that affect their everyday lives.  (On left, the mock committee hearing.  Check out more pics in the WCC 2009 album on the right)

The women were given a quick introduction to the state legislative process and how they can influence and talk to their representatives. Anne Bomsted Miller of GrassTops, Inc. and the PolicyCorps Training Institute, divulged the secrets to navigating the legislative labyrinth and schmoozing with the big suits.  GrassTops provides advocacy and public policy consulting to non-profit organizations and Policy Corps in a service learning program specific to the policy interests of their nonprofit partners.

Throughout the course of the day, participants were able to choose 2 out of four workshops dealing with current, women-centered issues:

1) Economic Justice: The State Budget and your pocketbook: This session provided a preview of how the federal and state budgets will affect women, dealing with issues such as job training, property taxes, pay equity, and other economic issues.

Dr. Marcie Jefferys, Office of the Senate Majority Leader, briefed her audience about the implications of the federal stimulus package for Minnesota, particularly on how it will affect women in general.

Amy Brenengan from the Legislative Office on the Economic Status of Women provided a general context for the state of women during recession.  Since more women are re-entering the workforce due to economic necessity, she drew attention to the reasons why women are among the poorest Minnesotans. Approximately 1 in 4 women age 16 and over is low income, living below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Why? Three major factors are pay inequity, single parenthood, and violence against women.

Dr. Wilhelmina Holder of the Women’s Initiative for Self Empowerment came to speak to the women about the economic statuses of the Twin Cities’ rich immigrant populations. As Liberian immigrant herself who moved to Minnesota decades ago, Dr. Holder has experienced the obstacles faced by immigrants and refugees. In times of economic recession, these populations are at great risk for facing unemployment. She emphasized financial education at a young age and the importance of culturally appropriate teachers and role models.

2) Violence Prevention: Sexual Assault, Trafficking, Abuse in Later Life, a session in which women learned about the prevention programs of the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, whose three main goals are to make the prevention of sexual assault a Minnesota priority, ensure access to assault victim services, and ease access to justice for victims.  The guest speakers presented these issues and their significance in the Native community and in an increasing aging population.

Nicole Matthews of the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Center drew attention to the disproportionate number of native women affected by domestic violence.  The statewide coalition works to end instances of sexual violence against Native women and children, many of which go unreported.  According to Amnesty International, 31.4 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native women (more than 1 in 3) will be raped during their lifetime.

Christine Davidson of the Minnesota Network on Abuse in Later Life highlighted that women over 50 face the same issues of domestic violence.  The only way to address these issues is to shift cultural attitudes to alter the assumptions surrounding domestic violence, that it affects women of all groups.

3) Women’s Leadership: Step Up in the Community and Step Up to Elective Office. Silvia Ontaneda of the Latina Women’s Association of Minnesota and Shirley Nelson from the Women Candidate Development Coalition emphasized the expressed need for female representation in leadership roles. Silvia stressed the importance of increased visibility as a necessary strategy for women to spread awareness about shared values, within traditionally marginalized communities and with the general public.

Come to the Capitol 2009

Here's the final version of the flyer for the event coming up on Friday - just right for both state Capitol veterans and those who have never been there before in their lives, maybe that woman you are mentoring or even for YOU  as you consider running for public office or stepping up to leadership in other ways?  FREE if you can't handle the suggested donation of $15.  But please call us at 651/228-0338 by 4 PM on Wednesday (3/4) so we can order your delicious box lunch and give you hints on where to park.  P.S. A tip:  The flyer will be more readable if you click on it to enlarge.  Or, You might find it easier to download from our website. -Bonnie

 

Women Connect Across States, Issues

Women from California, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Wyoming gathered in Sheridan, Wyoming in October 2008 to plan the future for US Women Connect, including development of a new women's agenda for each state and the nation.  Here's a pic and a short movie to give you the flavor!

L-R:  Ann Ford, Kay Wallick, and Mickey Babcock of Wyoming, Silvia Ontaneda of Minnesota, Marilyn Fowler of California, Rosemary Smithson of Missouri, Kathy Wan Povi of New Mexico, and Jackie Weatherspoon of New Hampshire.

In the one-minute movie below, Kathy explains the sacred objects she brought for the Indigenous Women's blessing.  Just before this clip she explained that the water she brought was saved from an earlier gathering.  At that time women brought water from their home places all over the world and they were mingled.  Bonnie was delighted to add small frogs made by the Hmong women of Minnesota, Native Americans of the southwest US, and a hematite frog that reminds her of the mines of northern Minnesota. 

In Memoriam: Margaret

One of the wonderful things about the Consortium's having been around for 29 years is that we - the staff, board, members, friends, readers, the whole community - have been privileged to have some extra special long-time friends.  Margaret Revoir, who volunteered here for 25 years, was one such.  Her commitment, and our delight in her, was from the heart, through thick and thin.  Here's what Bharti Wahi - who always made sure Margaret got to the bus without falling - has to say about her:

  For my first blog since departing (as a staff only – I’ll always be a friend) from the Consortium I would like to tell you about an extraordinary woman I had the privilege of meeting during my time at the Consortium.  Her name was Margaret Revoir and she was not only a long time volunteer for the MN Women’s Consortium, she was a long-time advocate for women’s equality here in Minnesota.  She passed away this past December and I have to say that I will miss Margaret. 

When I met Margaret in 2004, I was so struck by her commitment to the Consortium and to women’s equality and rights.  For those of you who did not know, in the 1980’s Margaret suffered from a stroke and was involved in a car accident that not only made it difficult for her to get around, but also continued to cause her health problems.  However, this did not stop her from trying to stay as active as she could and help.  Margaret was our Tuesday volunteer.  She came almost every Tuesday and sorted the labels for our newsletter (the hi you would sometimes see on your newsletter came from her).  She did everything from calling people about events to sending out newsletters noting “your name inside” for people and groups featured.  Margaret was an important part of the Consortium and an important part of our women’s community.

Margaret was tenacious of spirit and independent.  Whenever I thought about how hard or busy my life was – too busy to volunteer places or attend meetings - I would see Margaret and how much work it was for her just to be at the Consortium.  She took the Metro Mobility bus here for many years and used a cane and/or walker for years, but she was here, rain or snow or shine.  She kept working though her hands and feet were not cooperative much of the time. It would inspire me to get up off of my butt and do something.  She was funny and warm and kind, as well as bright and committed.  She loved learning and books and we spent many a lunch discussing books we had read.  I learned much from her during these past four years.  One of the great joys of being part of the women’s community is the opportunity to meet women of all generations, abilities, backgrounds and life experiences.  The opportunity to sit quietly, learn about others and in turn learn more about oneself.  I can’t tell you how grateful I am for the opportunity I had to fight the good/important fight alongside Margaret Revoir.  And I am really going to miss her hi’s on my newsletter.  – Bharti Wahi

A bit more from Bonnie: Margaret was also the founding staff member for the Minnesota Displaced Homemaker Program, created in the early 1980s to help women enter or re-enter the labor force after a period of time unemployed or under-employed.  This program is still doing vital work!  For more info on what you can do to support them, please visit our member groups, the Life-Work Planning Center in Mankato and the META 5 Program in Brainerd. 

Margaret was part of the feminist tumult of the 1970s, supporting women’s right to love and enjoy raising families and making homes – and fighting the dominant culture which paid lots of lip service but set up barriers to earning a decent living after the homemaking years.  Other important projects to help older women, women doing “traditional women’s work,” and all who need economic support:  the Elder Economic Security Initiative (write Marie Nelson for more info) the Pay Equity Coalition, Older Women's League, and Jobs NOW Coalition.  Margaret was also a consociate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet whose Justice Commission is doing great work on human rights and the environment.  Because Margaret would want you to get involved.  We will miss her gentle spirit.

Poetica Musica

Women are changing the world in so many ways - by getting elected and advocating directly for political change of course, but also by bringing women's hearts and minds to the arts.  Beauty inspires and sustains us, and Calliope Women's Chorus is one great example.  (If I do say so myself as I'm one of the singers, sez Bonnie.)  Here's some pix from their recent concert promoting literature and literacy.

Top left:  Director Maren Amdal and poet Carol Connolly - a cofounder of the Minnesota Women's Political Caucus and author of "Payments Due," poet laureate of St. Paul.  Top right:  Maren with spoken word artist Desdamona, who has won many awards for her pro-woman work.  Left: Alto Monica (Calliope board member who also teaches high school and plays pro football for the Vixen - we are diverse in so many ways!), soprano and "Sakura" soloist Alexei, soprano Jill (also on the board and a staffer with the MN Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention, & Parenting),  plus Kristen's son.   Zowie!

Celebrating the Women's Community

Here's the pre-invite letter we send out each year, encouraging you to be listed as a supporter in the invitation we'll mail in early January, for the super event we'll host on January 29 -- our 29th birthday party and our only fundraising event of the year.   As you will see, all you need to do to be listed (and have your name viewed by over 8,000 people) is click here and give $135 or more.  There are also opportunities to host a table of 8 for $600 - write me if you'd like more info on that. The big doings will include dinner this year and aren't you just holding your breath to find out who the honorees are for our theme, "Women & Girls, Hearts & Minds: Excellence in Education"? 

    

Latinas & Civic Engagement

We were delighted to have a second visit from the dynamic staff of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health. (Click on their name to visit their website.)  They were here for training on civic engagement, offered at Neighborhood House (also known as the Paul & Sheila Wellstone Center for Community Building) on the West Side of St. Paul.  National president Silvia Henriquez explained some new directions.  Minnesota State Senator Patricia Torres Ray and Latinas Association advisory board member Migdalia Loyola both assisted in the training.  Silvia Ontaneda, developer for the Asociacion de la Mujer Latina en Minnesota, helped get the word out to the 75 attendees.   As on their last visit, NLIRH staff presented excellent information and materials, all in Spanish and in a culturally respectful way.   Please feel free to write Silvia O. to stay in touch as the Latinas Association develops.  (And watch this space for a Spanish version of this article.) -Bonnie

  

Koryne's Doctoral Poem!

All of us here at the Consortium couldn't have been happier to hear that on June 29, Augsburg College presented local feminist activist (and a dear friend of the Consortium) Koryne Horbal (pictured) with an honorary doctorate. One of the organizers of the national women's conference in Houston in 1977, Koryne has led the Minnesota DFL Feminist Caucus for decades, championing women's rights in Minnesota and beyond. A true leader of women, Koryne never went to college, so Augsburg chose to celebrate her many achievements and contributions by awarding her an honarary degree. To commemorate Koryne receiving this very well-deserved degree, St. Paul's poet laureate, Carol Connolly, wrote a poem in honor of Koryne. We are grateful that Carol has allowed us to share her poem with all of you here on the blog; here is her poem, in its entirety:                                                                                                       

HOMAGE                                                                                                           

She is our mother,
Our daughter, 
Our sister,
She is a new woman,
An old woman,
A wise woman,
She is a legator
Of faith and hope and generosity.
She puts her hand to strong things,
And she is clothed with strength and dignity.
She has brought women to a better time.
She is all 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.
Honored  friend and Doctor.

--Carol Connolly

Thank you, Carol, for sharing this beautiful poem with us and congratulations to Koryne Horbal, PhD!