Author/organizations work at "Remodeling Motherhood"

Four out of five American women become mothers at some point in their lives, whether by choice or circumstance. Women have surpassed 50 percent of all US college graduates and are nearly 50 percent of the US workforce and voting populations, yet so much of our world does not reflect the realities of combining caregiving work and career.


Minnesota chapters of Mothers & More extend a special invitation to all branch members of AAUW-MN to meet author and Minnesota native Kristin Maschka this October as she releases her new book, This is Not How I Thought it Would Be: Remodeling Motherhood to Get the Lives We Want Today.

Choose the Minnesota event nearest to you from the locations (listed on Web site: http://www.remodelingmotherhood.com/, or tune in when Kristin is Kerri Miller's guest during the 10 a.m. hour of MPR's Midmorning on Friday, 10/2 (archived online at www.mprnewsq.org).

Shifts in identity, workplace participation, and financial security - no wonder Motherhood could stand to be remodeled! Kristin Maschka's Web site includes Book Club, meeting, and discussion guides that are ready-made for you to connect with the Moms (and Dads) in your life. http://www.remodelingmotherhood.com/

We invite you to share details with friends, colleagues, and family members via email or Facebook, and hope to see you in Rochester, Roseville, Mankato, or Woodbury / Oakdale. RSVP at the EVENTS link on Kristin's website -or- contact the sponsoring Mothers & More chapter via their website: http://www.mothersandmore.org/
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO CARPOOL TO ONE OF THE AUTHOR EVENTS? Email Kristi at K.Hastings@pemlaw.com

Tickets Available for 2009 Holiday Tour of Homes

Five Fergus Falls families invite you to share the holidays with them as they welcome you into their homes for the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Fergus Falls Branch’s Holiday Tour of Homes, Saturday, Nov. 7, from 12-5 p.m. Several local businesses will lend their expertise and/or wares to beautifully decorate each home, including Ben Franklin, Boxelder, Flamingo Glass, the Flower Mill, Herbergers, The Market, Periwinkle Décor, Sisters’ Decorating (There’s Comfort in Coming Home), Target and Wild Rose Floral and Gifts.
Tickets are $15 and are available from AAUW members and from Boxelder, the Flower Mill, The Market, Service Foods and Wild Rose Floral and Gifts. Ticket sales are limited. This is the AAUW Fergus Falls Branch’s main fundraiser. Proceeds go to scholarships for area young women.

The event also includes a reception at the Village Cooperative where guests will have the opportunity to purchase “Savoring the Seasons,” a cookbook of recipes and menus for every holiday and occasion. The cookbook is $15.
For more information, email ffaauw@yahoo.com.

See poster of 2009 Fergus Falls AAUW Holiday Tour of Homes.

Pics from first meeting at Café 116

 A full room enjoyed camaraderie and pasta at Café 116 during the opening meeting of 09-10.

Notes from the AAUW state president

Here's what's happening statewide!

• Remember to submit nominations for 2010 State Board Officers. You are all leaders and may be interested in taking the next step. You may know of others who would also be interested. Encourage them to apply.
  
• Although this isn’t a major election year, there is a lot of news regarding the 2010 Governor’s Race. With women running from both major parties, there is a chance for MN to have a woman governor. Be sure to keep in mind that AAUW cannot endorse partisan candidates nor can candidate forums exclude any of the candidates for a particular office. Contact Char Kahler, State Public Policy VP, if you have questions – chark@kaco.net or 507-235-9837.
  
• The Minnesota Women’s Press is seeking personal stories from individuals to be published in their monthly magazine. Go to their website for details – http://www.womenspress.com/
  
• The Minnesota Women’s Foundation is calling for grant proposals to their Social Change Fund. They are especially interested in awarding grants to outstate groups. There mission is very similar to AAUW’s. Application deadline is Oct. 1. Check their website for more information – http://www.wfmn.org/.
  
• Theatre Unbound is presenting “Aphra’s Attic: an Evening of Historical Plays by Early Women Playwrights” Sept. 19 – Oct. 4 at the Lowry Lab Theater in Downtown St. Paul. Find information at http://www.theatreunbound.com/.
  
•  A program developed by Admission Possible titled “College IS Possible” will be aired on tpt (Channel 2) on Sunday, 9/20 at 8:00pm, Monday 9/21 at 2:00am, 8:00am and 2:00pm. You will learn how low-income high school students are gaining the resources, inspiration and confidence to pursue – and succeed in – college. Admission Possible was our partner in the “I’m Going to College” events. This may give you ideas to pursue in your communities.

Learn more about what's happening around the state by visiting the AAUW Minnesota site: http://www.aauwmn.org/

Nominate an outstanding college woman for national student leaders conference

Each year the AAUW hosts the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders. This two-and-a-half day conference helps students hone leadership skills for their work on campus and in their communities. Do you know a young woman who would be the perfect candidate to attend the 2010 conference? Nominate her today!


NCCWSL application form.
 
See highlights from last year's conference.

Volunteer opportunities at A Center for the Arts

Would you like to help with the arts events in our region? We invite you to become involved with A Center for the Arts! There are many opportunities for volunteerism at the Center including selling tickets and concessions, ushering and box office help. Only with the help of our dedicated volunteers can a nonprofit like A Center for the Arts provide a wide range of programming to artists and the community.

Advantages

• Complimentary event admission at the time you volunteer.
• Knowledge that you are supporting Arts in our area.
• Opportunities to meet new people.
• Chance to contribute your skills and talents.
  

Please call LaVonne at 736-5453 for more information

Meet two of our new members--in their own words!

Bonnie Straight:
I grew up in Fergus Falls, and graduated from high school in 1961. In 1963 I joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to a project in Southern Brazil developing the 4-H program in Brazil. In 1966 Rich and I were married. We have not had children of our own, but have tried to contribute to college programs in our churches and as volunteers for some Inter-Varsity activities. We have lived in various cities in the US and from the mid 1970's I worked with management information systems. After gathering college credits from a variety of schools I finally earned my bachelor's degree in MIS from the School for New Learning at DePaul University in Chicago in 1985. We lived in Lithuania from 1992-1996 and from 2001-2008. The first time in Lithuania I taught English and how ti use a PC (Windows, Word, and Excel). From 1996 through 2004 I worked and studied at Regent University in Virginia Beach. I earned a PhD in Organizational Leadership in 2004. The second time at LCC I chaired the Business Administration Department . In fall 2003 I found that I had Parkinson's Disease. I am very grateful that it has progressed very slowly and is well managed with medicine and exercise. In summer 2008, my husband Rich and I moved to Fergus Falls. We both needed some medical assistance that we were not able to have in Lithuania. I still teach online business courses for LCC as well as for Indiana Wesleyan University.

Robyne Williams:
What can I say about myself in just one short paragraph? Born some years ago on the island of Manhattan, NY; grew up outside Washington, DC in Maryland. Raised three children, have eight grandchildren, all who are beautiful (handsome), intelligent, creative, athletic, and successful. (I spend a lot of time at hockey rinks.) Taught third grade and kindergarten until NDSU hired me to teach textiles and they let me teach Women Studies. I retired after teaching at NDSU for 41 years. (It was time to pass the baton.) I like to play racquetball, sail, ski, dance and read. I belonged to the Fargo AAUW chapter about 20+ years and am now looking forward to meeting more intelligent, persuasive women.