EqualityQuilt

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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: 

Our Stellar Sponsors

Here is the final list of the wonderful people and organizations who contributed to make the Celebration 28 event possible and accessible to all.  You can click on the image to see it better.  The Seneca Falls Society gifts make a big difference to the Consortium all year long.  I often picture these donors -- as well as all those who help by presenting workshops, relaying information, sharing their wisdom -- as an invisible army joining hands with the Consortium staff and board.  Thank you, thank you!  - Bonnie

Program for Celebration 28

Here's the program for our 28th anniversary party set for January 31, 6:30PM to 8:30PM.   Admission (if there's still room - write me to see how we're doing) is $45 at the door or "pay your age."   You will get a better view if you click on the image.  Or, you may click here  to download the four-page program.  To glimpse the ambiance from last year, check out the C27 photo album on the  right side of the blog.   

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!   

Come help us honor...

Dreamers & Doers of all generations at Celebration 28!   Join us for the program (with honorees, listed on continuation page) and please thank the generous Seneca Falls Society & other sponsors listed below.  You can still have your name listed on the program and in updates this month - just contribute online at www.mnwomen.org.  You may also host a signed Ida Wells Barnett table of 8 - $500 for Consortium member groups, $600 for others.  Click here to download the invitation shown below, or click on the images below to enlarge.   See you soon! - Bonnie

Co-Sponsor Our Party!

Note - To see this better, click on the page below - or print out from the link on back page.
There are only 13 days left to have your name in lights on our invitation...

Click below to continue with a brief annual report on Consortium activities and a form you may use to choose your level of financial support.   If you'd like to print out these materials as a three-page document, click here.

Check out Photos

Hello blog friends!  Here at the Consortium we are still unpacking and otherwise recovering from the wonderful Women's Dreams conference.  We will keep posting some of the substantive notes from the 15 workshops and two plenary sessions as well as other features, so stay tuned and please send your rants, comments, suggestions, etc. as we keep moving history forward.  Meanwhile, here's the "certificate" we presented to Minnesota attendees at the Houston conference of 1977.  Please enjoy the new photo album with images from the conference, on left side of the blog.    And Joyeux Tofurkey!  We are thankful to be part of the amazing community of progressive women.- Bonnie

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!

High Times with the New Intern!

Hello, everybody! As the newest intern here at the Minnesota Women's Consortium, it seems like a good idea to introduce myself to you all. My name is Allison MacWilliams-Brooks, and I am a senior at Macalester College, double-majoring in Political Science and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. I am also a co-chair of the Macalester student organization Feminists In Action/Students Together Against Rape and Sexual Assault, so working for the Consortium and getting connected to all of the various member organizations is a great fit for me! Besides my passion for feminist issues in my organizing and through the WGSS Department, I am also completing an honors thesis this year in Political Science on local welfare rights activism between women of color and the LGBT community. I am extremely interested in how sexual, racial, and socioeconomic priorities within state-level policies affect diverse communities, so my project also focuses on marriage and so-called "stable" family promotion in welfare reform legislation.

When I'm not collecting all sorts of fun info for the Consortium or studying my life away, you can most likely catch me doing comedy. I perform improv and sketch comedy both on campus and locally, so keep your eye out for female comedy events and chances are, you might just catch me at it one of these days! Comedy is a great space to promote women's empowerment, so I highly encourage each of you to get out and either try performing some comedy yourself (it's a very liberating process) or support local women comics. Let's see some more strong, opinionated, funny women up on our stages! I hope to get to know you during my time at the Consortium, maybe I'll even see some of you at our November conference. I look forward to getting even more involved with the feminist organizing community in the great state of Minnesota as I continue on with my work at the Consortium!

Hieroglyphics, Peas, & More

These images (above - click on each to see better) are from sculptor Claudia Poser, and I'm so happy to say one is hanging in the Women's Building kitchen, one in the hallway, one right across from Lorraine's desk...

The Women's Art Registry of Minnesota has installed its 5th exhibit in an ongoing series here at the building.  We are ravished by the intriguing, haunting images of Joan Cox (paintings) & Claudia Poser (sculpture & monotypes).  If you have not been to see our small gallery, please do! to remember the power of original art in an extra special setting - and remember this work is for sale so you too can be a patron.  Come any weekday between 9 & 4, AND to the opening reception on Thursday, October 25, 5 to 8:30PM:  free, open to the public, yummy snacks, & a chance to meet the artists.  For more images from Claudia (we hope Joan will send us some also), check out the Women's Art Registry Photo Album on left hand side of the blog. 

P.S.  WARM is now encouraging women artists - who must become WARM members if not already - to submit work to be considered for next year's exhibits.  More info:  Barbara Harman,          651/222-1605       .   

Our Sister Building in Duluth

Coming soon!  Meanwhile, check out the women of Tajikistan post below, new Resource list on the left,  conference info on the right, & new blogs added to our favorites list (lower right)!

Farewell MN Women Consortium

After having spent a part of my summer with the Minnesota Women's Consortium, not only am I sad to be leaving their company, but also feel as if my understanding of issues facing women in Minnesota and the ideas at the forefront of the women's movement has been greatly enhanced. Both Emilie and I have spent an interesting summer with the consortium. Working here has allowed a degree of freedom and trust in ones abilities. It has given us the chance to attend hearings at the Capital, get a feel for the diversity of women's groups in Minnesota as well as a depth of understanding of what they and the consortium have to offer. It was time well spent! Minnesota is an interesting place to learn about and do work regarding the future of the women's movement. The people I have met during my time here have enlightened my understanding of the practical routes one can take to achieve the goals of the movement.   Aisling will stay in touch from Trinity College in Dublin, and Emilie from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.  They have been a great help, lots of fun, and we will miss them a lot!  - Bonnie
                                                                                                                     

Top photo: Aisling; Bottom photo: Emilie.

Capitol Bulletin Goes Online

Here's our first posting of the Capitol Bulletin newsletter, until now available only in hard copy.    You can view page 2 (the inside scoop) below.  With a few technical obstacles this time, we need to re-refer you to a different link for the whole shebang.  If you click here you can view (and download, and print if you like) the January 9 issue.  Features in this issue:  women veterans, women and drug sentencing, and a Brown Bag briefing on the Minnesota Heart Association and its "Go Red for Women" campaign.  Regular departments in the Capitol Bulletin:  headlines, organization of the week, champions, take action, and the women's community calendar.  Let us know if this works for you!

A Year in the Life of the Minnesota Women's Consortium

On July 18, the Minnesota Women's Consortium held our Annual Meeting. Our keynote Shelleta Brundidge had us all in stitches over a delicious dinner and great company. Consortium Delegates approved a new budget and 8 board members were elected or re-elected. Bonnie reviewed our achievements of the past year and our future plans. The following is a slide show of last year's activities at the Minnesota Women's Consortium with music from the Sweet Honey in the Rock by AVA Special Productions.

Capitol Bulletin turns 1000!!

The Minnesota Women's Consortium has been publishing its Capitol Bulletin newsletter for 26 years - weekly for the first 16 years, and biweekly since.  How many nonprofits do you know that have maintained this level of contact for so long?  This week we were proud to mail out our 1000th issue - special not only because of the 1000 milestone, but also coincides with our "Special Fourth of July Issue" published in red, white, and blue, this year on freedom of choice.  The newsletter info is NOT the same as our E-Consortium Notes, this beloved blog, or anywhere else - it's more and better.  WHAT??  You're not a subscriber??  Go to www.mnwomen.org, find the "donate here" spot, send your info for a mere $35, and put your mailing address in the comments box - & you won't be sorry.  Here I am with postal worker Kathy Duncan down at the U.S. government bulk mail acceptance unit.  

More from Steinem

Steinem spoke informally about her ongoing feminist work. A "serial organization organizer," she has recently helped create a women's media group, Greenstone Media, with both nonprofit (Women's Media Center) and for-profit arms. Influences like this will produce more mainstream work like the upcoming Hollywood movie, "Trade," on sex trafficking. On the choice issue, she wondered aloud if we should create a political button worn at the belly button - a belly button button - reading "Property of the U.S. Government." Steinem says modestly that she does not have ownership of such ideas-- "I [just] go around like a bee, collect the honey and redistribute it." Another highlight for me was Koryne Horbal's story of needing to get to a bathroom at a Hilary Clinton event, blocked by Secret Service types, until Hilary stepped off the stage, grabbed her arm and said, "Me too! Let's go." And I learned that a certain revered Minnesota Senator's success is attributed partly to her fabulous bladder control - being able to stay in the room for the crucial votes. You (don't!) go girl!   In the clip below, Steinem responds to a question about how to involve younger women. -Bonnie

Gloria Steinem Visits Minnesota

Besides a feminist founder who calls herself "a serial organization creator" & fantastic writer, Gloria Steinem is a wonderful model of activism & glamor in her 70s.  She was in town this weekend for Perspectives, and Koryne Horbal arranged breakfast the next day for about 50 at the beautiful Lake Harriet home of Consortium Advisory Council member Ruth Usem.  When I find my notes I'll say more about the good discussion, from work trafficking in women to new media initiatives.  To see ALL the photos, scroll down to the "Steinem Visit" album on the right hand side of the blog - you will have to scroll down a bit.   

Left- Hostess Ruth Usem and organizer Rosemary Rocco. Center- Gloria with longtime friend Ambassador Koryne Horbal, a guiding light of the DFL Feminist Caucus & many other projects.  (See Koryne with Gracia Pick, Arvonne Fraser, & others in a previous post.)  Right- Gloria with Deborah Watts, 2004 candidate for Congress and founder of the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation.  Murdered black teenager Emmett Till was her cousin.  Two additional cool things about this photo:  Koryne peeking through the middle, and Cass Dalglish on the right - now co-director of the Women's Resource Center at Augsburg College, previously a KSTP reporter covering the Houston Conference back in 1977.  Networking to the max!!

Women Winning!

The Minnesota Women's Campaign Fund recently celebrated its 25th anniversary & announced its new name, Women Winning.   Here are a few of the many luminaries who showed up to hear actress Olympia Dukakis, glory in the parade of endorsed women who have been elected to offices at all levels, and see the charming video sent by our women in Washington 4th District Congresswoman Betty McCollum and Senator Amy Klobuchar.

On right, Campaign Fund founder and former Minnesota Secretary of State Joan Growe;  and Migdalia Loyola-Melendez, Planned Parenthood staffer and board member of the Asociacion Latinas de Minnesota. (Click here para la informacion en espanol.)

Happy Volunteer Week!

We at the Minnesota Women's Consortium are so lucky to have wonderful volunteers.  Sometimes they try to leave us but we will always find them again.  On the left is Naarah Turner, who has been helping us out as part of a requirement at her school, MCTC.  She will be taking off to New York soon, but like I say, we WILL go visit her there when we are seeing Broadway plays.....

On the right, Naarah is working with Tilly Anaya, who has been the leader of our newsletter stuffers brigade for 19 years. 

April 15-21 is National Volunteer Week.  We know that many of our member groups are lucky to have these precious people too.  We truly could not do what we do without you.

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.

Ambassadors, Veteran Feminists, New Friends

Some guy philosopher was asked how his generation achieved so much.  His reponse: "We stand on the shoulders of giants."  Arvonne Fraser recently invited two distinguished young women to have dinner with feminist giants - equally awesome and way more fun than climbing onto shoulders.    L-R in the picture:   Anita Patel, director of public policy, YWCA of Minneapolis;  Silvia Ontaneda, board chair, Asociacion Latinas de Minnesota (both also members of the board of the Minnesota Women's Consortium); Gracia Molina de Pick, from San Diego, one of the organizers of the Latinas at the Houston Conference in 1977;  Arvonne Fraser, co-founder of the Center on Women & Public Policy ;  Koryne Horbal, founder of the DFL Feminist Caucus;  Virginia Watkins, past president of Minnesota NOW, past national NOW board member, current board member of Veteran Feminists of America.   

Koryne was appointed by President Carter as U.S. Fifth Ambassador to the

Women's Art - New Exhibit

The Women's Art Registry of Minnesota launches its second exhibit at the Minnesota Women's Building this week.  Please come Thursday evening, April 5, 5:30-8PM, 550 Rice Street, St Paul 55103.  There were extremely yummy snacks last time.  If you can't make the opening reception, do stop by anytime between now and June 1, during building hours Monday-Friday, 9AM to 4PM.  Pictured here are "Purple Haze" from the fabric collages by Mimi Holmes, and "Precipice" from the paintings by Sally Nystrom.  Always remember that you can get a better look by clicking on the image, and we would love your comments - click on the link below to share them.  Check the WARM photo album on the right to see more of Mimi's work, plus work by Barbara Harman from the first exhibition.  (Or click here to link to previous post with Barbara's work.) We will add more WARM art to the album whenever possible.  If you are an artist interested in exhibiting and otherwise getting involved, check out the WARM website for membership info.   

Meanwhile, Back At the Ranch...

Meet Lorraine Hart, the Consortium director of administration and finance, who makes possible all the good things that happen around here.  Behind her is one of the Silent Witnesses available for exhibits on domestic violence. On the right, meet Bharti Wahi, Consortium director of programs and member services - and mastermind of Women Come to the Capitol.  Since you've met Bonnie and Erin and current intern Karmann in previous posts, now you've seen us all.  Well, there's always someone new, like Aleye who started volunteering two days ago - we'll have to get his pic here too.  Two other ways to greet you - below is a photo of the Tibetan message from our grafitti wall, which says "Tibetan Women's Association" (or possibly "nice to meet you").  Click here to see the original post about these determined women.  And check the sidebar for our photo album from Women Come to the Capitol.  AND, don't forget to click on "comments" below to let us know you are out there.  Happy springtime! 

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). 

Women Presidents on Presidents Day

On Feb. 19, we escorted 21 distinguished presidents of women's organizations to the Capitol to present the women's agenda (Download POPD07message2.pdf)to legislative and executive branch leadership.  Those in the pic are listed at end of this post, and the full list with contact info can be downloaded here. Download POPD07list.pdf   They met with Assistant Majority Leader Senator Tarryl Clark, Commissioner Dan McElroy of the Department of Employment and Economic Development, and Assistant Majority Leader Representative Tina Liebling.  Minority Leader Senator Dave Senjem was not able to join us for the formal presentations, but was glad to learn more about the issues in quick briefing at the end.  Minority Leader Marty Seifert did not attend.  Click here for the excellent news story in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.  More pics in continued story!

SHEroes of C27

Flashbulbs were popping for these wonderful women at the close of Celebration 27.  You can click on the pic to see them better! Bottom row are honorees, L-R:  Bree Halverson of Women in the Trades (WIT); Linda Slattengren, president of the MN Nurses Assn. (MNA); a rose for Mai Moua (who was ill), Hmong Women's Task Force (HWTF);  Monica Little, chair for Minneapolis Girl Scout Council; Mary Treacy, promoter of the Sisters of St. Joseph Justice Commission;  Sarah Warren, Lead Child Care Teacher, YWCA of Minneapolis;  Sen. Patricia Torres Ray,  Asociacion Latinas de Minnesota(ALM); and Anusha Ramachandran, Women's Initiative for Self-Empowerment. 

Standing, L-R:  Honoree Connie Hill, President of St. Paul Business & Professional Women; Board member Silvia Ontaneda of ALM; Honoree Betty Bredemus, CEO of Bredemus Hardware;  and additional board members:   Anita Patel, YWCA; Halee Vang, HWTF; Jan Rabbers, MNA; Barb Pecks, WIT; Jan Jordet, member at large; Deb Pridgen, Girl Scout Council of the St. Croix Valley; Luanne Koskinen of the American Association of University Women- MN; emcee Cathy Wurzer of MN Public Radio and Twin Cities Public Television; Celebration Chair and board vice-chair Dawn Hughes of Employment Action Center; and Consortium board chair, Jen Peterson of the Association for Children for Enforcement of Support.  Wonderful volunteer photographer in the foreground is Danielle Nelson of the MN Women's Political Caucus.

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

Welcome from the Tradeswomen

A message from the annual meeting of Women In the Trades (including friends from the Vixens pro football team). WIT's website is being reconstructed, so for now best to phone them at 651/228-9955.   

Scenemaker of the Year

I plan to eat, schmooze, imbibe, and generally enjoy myself and hundreds of YOU at our 27th birthday party on Wednesday evening, January 31, 6PM to 9PM at the Science Museum of Minnesota in downtown St. Paul. There will be a cash bar, yummy buffet supper, honoring 10 "Women in the Workplace," distinguished mistress of ceremonies Cathy Wurzer of Minnesota Public Radio and Twin Cities Public Television, and a chance to consort with Consortium staff, board of directors, friends of all kinds, and dozens of our member groups.   DO come.   Download C27flyer.pdf

NOT just another $100 event, C27 is for sure a fundraiser (write me about $500 table sponsorships or $125 to be listed in the program) -- this event boasts our trademark accessibility, at a cost of only $40 per person if you reserve your spot in advance, $45 at the

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!

Welcome New Member Groups!

The Consortium Board of Directors approved the following new groups at its meeting on December 12, 2006. You can link to all 165 Consortium member groups from www.mnwomen.org (look under "Member Organizations" on the left). We are proud to be the largest statewide network of women-focused organizations in the nation, and these new groups make our community more diverse, vibrant, and powerful than ever. Please note that in recent years we have also begun accepting for-profit woman-friendly businesses as "Friends of the Consortium." The new groups:

Children's Defense Fund Minnesota - nonpartisan research and advocacy
Wayside House - where women recover sobriety, identity, home & family
Organization for Burmese Refugees Abroad (OBRA) - improving the health & educational status of Burmese refugees along the Thai/Burma border
Laura Jeffrey Academy - a girl-focused public charter middle school to open fall 2007

We are also delighted to announce that the Academy office, and office of the Girls Coalition of Minnesota, are new groups in the incubator space.

-Bonnie