Laura Jeffrey Academy is an all girls, tuition free charter school located in Saint Paul. LJA serves grades five through eight and offers a comprehensive approach to education. Their curriculum and learning environment is meant to help girls become well rounded, competent, compassionate, and intelligent individuals.

Their Promise

"...provide an environment where students are free to learn, to explore their potential, to discover their brilliance and develop their intellect."

What They Do

Through their comprehensive approach to education LJA strives to help girls achieve seven principles;

Mutual Responsibility and Individual Accountability

Searching for Truths

Building Empathy

Generosity of Spirit

Becoming Competent

Acknowledging Paradox and Dilemma

Recognizing Strength in Vulnerability

For more information on Laura Jeffrey Academy visit their website.

NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota released a report this week which chronicled the types of information given to women who seek help at crisis pregnancy centers. Get the full story from the Star Tribune.

"Birth Control for Men?"

Ms. Magazine's blog takes another look at what new birth control methods developed for men might look like. For the full story see the Ms. Magazine Blog.

"Duluth Joins Campaign to Defeat the Marriage Amendment"

The Duluth City Council just announced they voted to formally oppose the Marriage Amendment which will appear on the ballot in November. Check out MNUnited.org or the Duluth News Tribune for more information.

"Taboos Undercut Nepal's Marital Rape Law"

Some women in Nepal are trying to figure out how to handle marital rape and domestic violence. Get the full story at WomensENews.org.

"Pittsburgh's Milk Truck Breaks for Nursing Moms"

A new organization is blooming in Pittsburgh. Figure out why it might soon be easier to breastfeed on the streets from WomensENews.

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) is a non-government organization with branches in thirty-seven countries. They have an office at the United Nations in New York and their United States branch is based out of Philadelphia. WILPF was founded in 1915 and the Minnesota Metro Branch was established in 1922. WILPF is the oldest most far-reaching women's peace organization in the world.

Their Mission

"WILPF members create the peaceful transformation they wish to see in the world by making connections that:

Provide continuity with the past so that knowledge of historical events and patterns informs current activities for change;

Create analysis and action that reflect and reinforce each other;

Link and challenge root causes of oppression, especially racism, sexism, heterosexism, militarism, economic disparity, and political disempowerment; and

Build and strengthen relationships and movements for justice, peace, and radical democracy."

What They Do

WILPF has a wide range of goals. They strive for world peace and resolution of conflict without violence. They also wish to achieve political, economic, and social equality/equity. WILPF tries to achieve these goals through education, actions within the United Nations, a triennial conference host by a different country each time, and various local events.

It's official, the FBI has changed their definition of rape - which means statistics will better reflect actual incidences of sexual assault. This change will also help highlight better ways to fight rape culture and stop sexual violence. Get the full story at Ms. Magazine's Blog.

"Yale University Discovers Firsthand the Awful Results of Gender Cohabitation"

The results are in! And they're not awful - they're actually exactly what you might expect. Check out Yale University's foray into mixed gender on-campus housing in this Jezebel article.

"The Tea Party's Not-So-Civil War"

For an in-depth look at how the Tea Party functions, what they're thinking about the upcoming election and an all in all great read, hit up this New York Times Magazine article.

"Who Needs New Hampshire? Minneapolis Election Winners: Susan Allen and Kari Dziedzic"

In a special election this week Susan Allen became the first Native American woman elected to the Minnesota legislature and Kari Dziedzic won in Senate District 59. For more details on the elections and the elected visit the article on Twin Cities Daily Planet.

"Victims of Eugenics Sterilization in NC to be Compensated"

North Caroline intends to compensate victims of its former eugenics program $50,000 each. Get the full story at Feministing.com.

Q:  Just the Facts, Ma'am?  I love pretending to be Joe Friday of Dragnet, and if you are too young to know who that is, old episodes are probably available on Netflix.  I helped create the Minnesota Women's Consortium back in 1979, when it grew out of lunch conversations among the handful of women who lobbied at the state Capitol back then and the small staff of the then-Council on the Economic Status of Women at the state capitol, headed up by Nina Rothchild.  Technically Nina was the Queen and Cheryl Hoium and I were Princesses at

Anyway, I continued to volunteer for the Consortium over the years, when Gloria Griffin became the first staff person.  I had worked with Gloria at the Open Appointments Commission established by then-Gov. Rudy Perpich, to increase the number of women and minorities in state jobs, before moving to the CESW.  More about Nina and Gloria later!  I especially loved volunteering at the Consortium when my kids were small and I was on leave from other jobs.  But then after a lot of other fun jobs, I was hired by the Consortium board as director of communications and development, starting in January 2003.  In the spring of 2004 the board created the job of executive director and hired me for it, and that's what I've been doing for the past nine wonderful years.

Q:  What are you going to do next?  Not retiring - hey I'm only 61 - although I do want to slow down.  I have a job offer but not telling yet, as I'm not 100% sure it's the perfect fit for me.  I am also looking for short-term paid writing and research projects related to women's issues, nonprofit management, or the economics of aging - so let me know if you want to hire me as your freelancer!  And, I plan to write a book which is in some ways a sequel to the one I wrote with Nina Rothchild, In the Company of Women (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 1996).  The new one will be a way of assessing the progress of the women's movement, especially in Minnesota, from 1968 to the present, with a focus on what is needed and workable for the future.  I hope to interview lots of you wonderful people for that project.  And watch out, I may well show up at any number of women's groups and happenings, as the feminist agenda still feels like my life's work.  

Q:  What was the "women's community" like back in 1980?  Was there a community of progressive, activist feminists?  The "second wave" of feminist activism was well underway by then in Minnesota.  Koryne Horbal and others had written "Present but Powerless" which noted the absence of female leadership in the DFL Party - and which led to big changes.  Nina Rothchild and others had written "Sex Equity in Education" and Charlotte Striebel had sued to improve the status of girls in athletics - both of which led to big changes.  Abortion had been legal since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973.  Women had been ordained ministers and rabbis in many Protestant and Jewish groups.  Minnesota had sent 31 delegates to the only-ever National Women's Conference in Houston, Texas, in 1977.  In part because of the CESW, the state helped fund battered women's shelters, displaced homemaker programs, established no-fault divorce and the child care sliding fee program. Among Minnesota women in 1980, 54% were in the labor force then (it's 67% now), and US women employed full time year round earned 60% of the average pay for men employed FTYR (in 2009 the women were up to 77% of male earnings, nationally). Pay equity was then just a gleam in the eye of then-Rep. Linda Berglin. 

There were thousands of Hmong people in Minnesota by 1978 at the end of the VietNam War, and many Latinos had been living here for decades, but the total state population of people of color was only 3% of the total population (it's about 17% today). The women in those groups were rarely visible in the media or in positions of power.  Lesbians were also pretty much invisible. Low-income women, not surprisingly, did not attend many meetings -- except that we were constantly aware that many of us were "one man away from welfare" and we advocated fiercely for economic assistance.  The special concerns of women with disabilities?  I don't remember ever hearing about that, in those days.

My recollection is that the women's movement was diverse with respect to age and faith communities, and that there were many voices heard, such as the significant number of women of color elected to attend the Houston conference and the advisory groups on battered women's shelters.  There were at least 26 "women's organizations" which joined the newly formed Consortium right away in 1980, and yes, there was a feeling of community as many of us knew each other and respected our different issues and strategies - otherwise the Consortium would never have survived.  But many of the organizations which form the Consortium today had not yet been created.  As a white woman, I was ignorant of the rich experience, perspectives, and concerns of women of color and immigrant women, and I was not the only one.  Like many of the feminists of those days, I belonged to at least 6 feminist organizations, but there was very little communication among the groups.  So -- the Consortium quickly became the epicenter of feminist thinking and creation of new groups, and "communications central" for everybody interested in women's issues.     

Q:  What was the Minnesota Women's Consortium like when you joined the staff in 2003?  What was the women's community like?   Just beginning answers for now!   The Consortium had about 157 member groups then - a figure that stuck in people's heads for a long time even as I tried to explain that the number changes all the time as about one-fourth renew their memberships quarterly, a few are disbanded or merged, new ones are created or join up.  When I came, the Consortium was governed by a steering committee and staffed by "The Troika" of Grace Harkness, Lorraine Hart, and Dede Wolfson (technically I replaced Grace). There was a nice group of regular volunteers, notably Margaret Revoir who came every Tuesday to prepare the labels for the newsletter mailing, and occasional interns.  

The Capitol Bulletin newsletter was still printed on grey legal-size paper with the Bulletin itself and the beloved Calendar outside, and a separate legal-size sheet called the Legislative Reporter inside.  We hosted a Brown Bag lunch every Wednesday, in the basement and on various topics during the interim, then in the State Office Building and focused on legislation during session - usually with about 10 people attending.  The Women's Building was in bad shape, with the heat breaking down so often that Lorraine had to wear her winter coat at her desk, leaking roof, and I got to mop up overflowing toilets in my second week on the job.  Thank goodness the Power of 3 campaign to renovate the building had already begin in 2002.  The Consortium office was always set up on the open floor plan, and staff were always friendly to visitors, but there was little time for outreach to groups or individuals not yet part of the Consortium.  Still, the Consortium had a great track record of "knowing everybody" when reporters called looking for quotes, or AAUW called looking for speakers, the building was home to many wonderful tenant groups, and the newsletters and Economic Action Plan were incredible resources for anyone looking for information.

Oy in first version of this I forgot to mention that Tim Pawlenty had just been elected governor and feminists were deeply worried both about the anti-choice ultra-conservative agenda of those who elected him, same story on George W. Bush as US President at the time, and looming federal and state budget cuts.  Bush started the Iraq war months after I started at the Consortium, and that had a profoundly negative effect on budgets for human services and all forms of progressive social change. So again - survival is one of our best achievements of this era.  We were able to save much of the progress of the 1980s and 1990s, but we also lost ground on issues like abortion rights and we had to fight every year to keep laws like pay equity on the books.  

The women's community then was much like now.  There were MANY organizations working to serve women, get women and supportive men elected, advocate for women, nurture new leaders, and more.  The cost of membership in most groups had increased quite a bit over the years, in part because many groups had national affiliates with whom they shared dues, and in part because many more groups had paid staff and wanted to pay them decently.  There was a big increase in organizational work done by and for women of color and immigrant groups, who in many cases brought the passion which was flagging a bit elsewhere, as women's status improved in "mainstream" communities.  

The organizational model in which women volunteers did most of the work was endangered, in part because so many more women were in "big jobs" in the labor force and also busy with kids, grandkids, church, and many other volunteer obligations - and learning to set boundaries so they could stay in the fight for the long haul.  The model of monthly luncheons with educational speakers and a significiant social component was also much challenged, with many women (especially younger ones) busy with jobs which they could not get away from for lunch and already having their social needs met elsewhere.  With the "professionalizing" of many organizations came a wealth of conferences and connections and alliances with other groups, like the Council of Nonprofits which helped groups develop their boards of directors or manage their budgets.  But it seemed to me that we were (and are) in danger of becoming silo-ed:  working so hard on the issues and strategies of our particular organization that we had little time to find out what else was going on in the world of women's issues.  The Consortium kept putting out its calendar but many groups did not take time to check it and continued scheduling their major events on top of each other.  

It's a good thing and a bad thing, I suppose, that in the decades since 1980 "women's groups" have recognized that almost everything is a "women's issue" (many say, "This is not JUST a women's issue") and thus have developed strong allies and focus their work on topics such as the environment, housing and homelessness, transportation, taxes, "good government," immigration, and so much more.  Has this defused the power and visibility of women as individuals and women-focused organizations?  In maintaining those allies, do we sometimes soft-pedal issues like abortion rights because the allies are not comfortable with them?

Well, I have many more thoughts about "where we are now" and will come back to this later!

Q:  Greatest achievements at the Consortium during your watch (2003 - now)?  I will brag a bit, but please know that none of these things happened only because of me, and in many cases I had almost nothing to do with making the good thing happen - but at least I did not get in the way.  First, survival as a nonprofit has not been easy in this period.  Many of our member groups have simply gone under.  And I think we have done much more than survive, so that's a good thing.  Renovating the Minnesota Women's Building, primarily raising the money through individual "asks," was almost a miracle in these tough economic times, and has made a world of difference to us and the many who office here or meet here.   

I am very proud and glad that we have vastly increased our use of technology.  When I came, we had only one email address for all staff and did not use email much, partly because the computers were verrrrrrrry slow.  We had a good website but it was managed by an offsite person so it was hard to update if very often.  Lorraine now manages it herself and we have vastly increased the resources available there. We have way lovelier computers now.  I created the weekly E-Consortium Notes to save on printing costs when we could not afford to do a weekly printed Capitol Bulletin anymore, and by making that free to all (but only including info from our member groups) we very quickly almost doubled our readership, while attracting new member groups who found it worthwhile to join because we could promote them so widely.  I also created the EqualityQuilt blog, thanks to guru Chris Halvorson, and now we are super visible through Twitter, Facebook, and even know how to make our own videos. 

Many make that sad face when I talk technology, and I understand it would be so nice if we could all sit down and have tea in person every day.  But seriously, anybody interested in progressive social change has got to notice that technology is a major boon to those who don't have a car to drive to a meeting, or don't have child care and only have time to check in at midnight when the kids are asleep or... well, believe me, it's a big help and we should never go back.  If you just don't LIKE email, you are going to have a very hard time changing the world. 

I need to run off and have lunch and say hi to my son and develop a revised budget proposal (women's multi-tasking never ends and I like it like that), but for now I will just note one other brag, that although the Consortium has always been more diverse than most people know, and we still have far to go, we have really done so much better on this in the past nine years. Thanks in large part to the Otto Bremer Foundation, we were able to hire several wonderful women to help us with assertive outreach, much of which is simply listening, to many groups that had been marginalized. We are connected now to women of color, recent immigrant groups, low income women, younger women, and also to some degree women with disabilities, women in Greater Minnesota, and groups we don't always think of as endangered but still need more connections to, like businesswomen and academics. 

Now, thanks to Erin Parrish, our internship program is really thriving and I for one am blown away by the insights and energy of younger women.  Our board of directors includes 8 people of color and 6 others, people under 35 and people over 65 as well as others.  Truly I am so inspired by the great thinking of some of the women of color groups, like Hnub Tshiab which has created a way for women to talk with their husbands and kids about gender issues - which, don't the rest of us need that also?  Before I came, the Consortium had already hosted a great meeting to learn from Muslim women, and published a reading list on racism.  During my time, we had two wonderful meetings and published related reports which I think you would really like, one on "Generations" - generational differences within the women's movement - and one on "Classism."

There's more to brag about, but truly I gotta go.  Thank you for listening!  And truly, comment below or send me your comments at bonnie@mnwomen.org.   I will be thinking about all these issues for many years to come, I hope, and know there is more than meets the eye.

Want to download the additional supporters and program schedule as a PDF?   Download C32 flyer p2  More info on benefits of the various levels of sponsorship - that's here.  Or, Register & pay at whatever level.  Thank you!  We hope to see you soon!!

Refugee and Immigrant Women for Change is a coalition of seven organizations that seek to achieve equality for immigrant and refugee women through multiple avenues. Some of their goals include: delayed early marriage, decreased domestic violence, increased access to health care, and life skills training. The work of RIWC strongly addresses the complex intersections of gender, race, and class.

Congratulations RIWC and we look forward to honoring you at Celebration 32!

Family Tree Clinic was founded in 1971 to provide reproductive health services to those neglected by the traditional health care system. The clinic serves both men and women and provides a host of fabulous services.

Their Mission

"To provide quality, confidential reproductive and sexual health care services to diverse communities."

What They Do

Family Tree provides reproductive health services, education programming, as well as undertaking public policy work. They strive to make health services affordable, give excellent patient care, and maintain a positive, empowering atmosphere.

To learn more about Family Tree Clinic click here.

Bluff Country Family Resources provides help to survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual violence, stalking, and homelessness. BCFR is located in Hokah, MN and is one of the few resources of its kind available to rural Minnesotans. They provide a 24 hour crisis line, legal advocacy, and emergency shelter (among many other services) - making BCFR an indispensable organization.

Congratulations Bluff Country Family Resources! We look forward to honoring you at Celebration 32!

For more information on BCFR click here.

"Employed Students Workload Puts Studies at Risk"

Women are attending college in record numbers and in Minnesota students are working more than ever before to help finance their education. Check out how college students are doing double duty - work and school - in this MPR article.

"Why There's No Such Thing as 'Reverse Racism'"

Our society still struggles with institutions that support domination and discrimination. For an excellent analysis of power structures in society definitely check out this article on Daily Kos.

"Yet Another Huge Comprehensive Study Finds that Abortion Doesn't Cause Mental Health Problems"

While reproductive rights were vehemently attacked in the last legislative session, we can rest assured that legitimate research is on our side. Ms. Magazine Blog reports on a new study regarding the long term effects of abortion.

"Bachmann Ends White House Bid"

After the Iowa caucus earlier this week Rep. Michele Bachmann formally announced the end of her presidential campaign. For more details check out the full article.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Check out facts and prevention tips regarding cervical cancer on Planned Parenthood's website or through the National Cervical Cancer Coalition.

MN United is an organization which seeks to defeat the proposed marriage amendment to the Minnesota constitution. In November, Minnesotans will be asked to vote yes or no to an amendment which, if passed, would prohibit same-sex couples from legally marrying. MN United is coalition based - they have the support of many different groups and individuals who all want to see the marriage amendment defeated. Their task will not be easy; in every other state where an amendment banning marriage for same-sex couples was proposed the amendment was passed. MN United believes in the importance of family and marriage for all people and intends to work tirelessly for a Minnesota that does too.

Congratulations to Minnesotans United for All Families and we'll see you at Celebration 32!

For more information on MN United click here.

Pro-Choice resources is a unique, grassroots organization which provides several far-reaching services (education, financial, advocacy) in regards to women's reproductive health. Pro-Choice resources is the only organization of its kind and operates through collaboration of staff and volunteers. Though based in Minnesota, their resources and services span the globe; making reproductive health services more accessible for all.

Congratulations Pro-Choice Resources and we'll see you at Celebration 32!

For more information on Pro-Choice Resources (and the Birds & Bees Project) click here.

    This year the Equal Place at the Table award will be presented to the Minnesota Lynx. Not only are the Lynx awesome (they currently rock the WNBA's national title) but their achievements help move women forward in the realm of professional sports. A successful women's team like the Lynx helps reaffirm how far women have come - and boosts confidence that there is still much that can and will be achieved. The Lynx are also a long time member and supporter of the Minnesota Women's Consortium where their support and success are immeasurably appreciated.

Congratulations to the Lynx and we look forward to honoring you at Celebration 32!   

For more info on the Minnesota Lynx click here.

New Contributors to the Bonnie Watkins Fund for Economic Justice:  Mary Olsen Baker, Nancy Feldman, Cheryl Hoium, and Susan Toth 

Seneca Falls Society Contributors and Event Organizers:  Karen Kirkwood, Elsa Vega Perez, Joan Higinbotham, Peggy Lucas, Joyce Prudden, Marilyn Raplinger, Emily Ann Tuttle, Ann Wynia

Sponsors and Hosts for Kathy Wan Povi Sanchez: Grotto Foundation, Indigenous People's Task Force, Minneapolis Foundation, Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center, Western Bank, Women's Environmental Institute.

Communications and Outreach Coordinator: This position includes writing a weekly online newsletter, blogging, social media, and community outreach. Click here for more information.

Public Policy Coordinator: Duties include legislative tracking, attendance at legislative hearings, writing a weekly policy online newsletter, and organizing policy oriented meetings. Click on the link for a full job description. This position requires a flexible schedule as the legislative session moves quickly and is often unpredictable.

College Feminists Connect Coordinator: The CFC Coordinator is responsible for promoting and marketing the program, maintaining a joint campus calendar, writing a newsletter, coordinating campus meetings and liaisons, social networking, and blogging. The full job description may be found here.

For more information call Erin at 651-228-0338 or write erin@mnwomen.org.

* First time donor?  Your gift will be matched dollar for dollar by Mary T. Inc, up to $1,000 total.  So far today we have four brand new donors - wonderful to meet you!

* Age 19, 43, 89?  Show the age diversity of the women's community by giving your age!

* Able to give a bit more on this special day?  Those who give $75 or more can choose to receive an autographed copy of In the Company of Women (Minnesota Historical Society Press) by Bonnie Watkins and Nina Rothchild, with adventures of 80+ Minnesota feminists.   

THANK YOU!!

Karen Kirkwood, Elsa Vega Perez, and the Seneca Falls Advisers invite you to a

Passing the Torch Luncheon

to honor Bonnie Peace Watkins, with presentation by Kathy Wan Povi Sanchez - a benefit for the Minnesota Women's Consortium.  

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

11:00 AM - 1:00PM (presentation on Two Worlds Harmony begins at Noon)

Ramada Plaza (formerly Four Points Sheraton), 1330 Industrial Blvd NE, Minneapolis MN 55413

Individuals:  suggested donation $50 (tax deductible minus the $25 lunch cost)

Table host:  $500 table for yourself & 7 guests; additional sponsorship opportunities available.

Thanks to the Grotto Foundation for special support.

Registration & pre-payment are required by November 30.

Who is Bonnie Peace Watkins?   Who is Kathy Wan Povi Sanchez?  MMMMM, what's on the menu? What is the Bonnie Watkins Fund?  Read on!  And write Lorraine with questions.

Bonnie Peace Watkins is the outgoing executive director of the Minnesota Women's Consortium, the nation's largest and most diverse statewide network of groups working for women's equality.  Her last day will be Celebration 32, January 26, 2012 (be there!)  Instead of a gold watch, Bonnie asked for the opportunity to introduce you to Kathy Wan Povi Sanchez, an outstanding feminist leader with a fresh perspective.  

Kathy Wan Povi Sanchez is the director of Tewa Women United, and the newly elected president of US Women Connect.  Tewa Women United is a collective intertribal women's voice in the Tewa (Pueblo) homelands of northern New Mexico, working to end all forms of violence against Native women and girls, and against Mother Earth.  US Women Connect was formed after the Beijing Conference to link US women and girls to the global women's agenda.  Kathy has connected with the women of Chernobyl and others recovering from environmental devastation.  She will speak on Two Worlds Harmony:  Indigenous and Other Women Saving Mother Earth.  

MMMM, what's on the menu?  Choose one:  cashew chicken with Asian steamed vegetables and jasmine rice;  or oven roasted vegetables Wellington; and strawberry rhubarb pie for dessert.

What is the Bonnie Watkins Fund?  A fund established to contribute to the general operations of the Minnesota Women's Consortium, with emphasis on economic justice.  Yes, you are welcome to contribute to this fund even if you are unable to attend the Passing the Torch Luncheon!  Please visit our donations page and note "Bonnie Watkins Fund" in the comments box.  Thank you!