Peg Werner named 2009 Woman of the Year

Peg Werner, director of the Viking Library System and member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) since 1995, has been named the Fergus Falls branch’s 2009 Woman of the Year. The honor is given annually to a member who exemplifies the AAUW’s mission to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research.


An active member of the AAUW, Werner has served two terms as a branch officer. She also opened her home in 2005 for the chapter’s biannual Tour of Homes fundraiser for scholarships for women.

In the community, she has distinguished herself in her role as director of the Viking Library System by pushing for better access to information for the rural communities in west central Minnesota that the library system serves. This has included:

• Securing the approval for, funding and design for a new Viking Library System building to better serve the region.


• Lobbying for telecommunications access and infrastructure funding and support for regional and public libraries.


• Serving as chairperson of the Governance Council of NW-Links, a 74-member regional K-12 and library consortium. The consortium assists northwest Minnesota school districts, public library systems and higher education institutions to realize their telecommunications goals, ensure the telecommunications infrastructure meets the needs of the member and provide leadership in the application of telecommunications technologies.


• Serving as a library representative on the 26-member statewide Minnesota Ultra High-Speed Broadband Taskforce. The purpose of the group is to make recommendations to the Minnesota governor and legislature regarding the creation of a statewide high-speed Internet access goal and a plan of implementation by 2015.
  

The award includes a $100 donation to the organization of Werner’s choice. She chose Someplace Safe, a shelter and supportive services for victims of domestic violence, with offices throughout the region.

The AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research. Since 1881, AAUW has been one of the nation's leading voices promoting education and equity for women and girls.


The Fergus Falls branch meets monthly September through May for learning and camaraderie, and holds an annual book sale and biannual tour of homes to raise funds for scholarships for women. For more information about the Fergus Falls AAUW, email inquiries to ffaauw@yahoo.com.