Holiday Tea postponed until Monday, Dec. 6

Due to the weather we are postponing the Holiday Tea until NEXT Monday, December 6th. Jeani Trosvig has graciously agreed to host next Monday starting at 5:30, and Lundeen's has agreed to let us shop next Monday between 6 and 9, so tonight we can all stay inside where it's warm and dry!


See you next Monday!

Tanya Sundberg, president

Meet new member Tara Kempfer, O.D.

I grew up in Madison, MN until high school when my family moved to Canton, SD. After high school I attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD and graduated with a B.A. degree in biology. I ventured west to attend optometry school and received my Doctorate of Optometry from Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon. While an optometry student I was active in student government and worked part time at a local vineyard, as well as tutoring elementary children. During my final year of optometry school I completed four external rotations. These rotations were located in Oregon and Colorado and emphasized pediatric eye care, vision therapy, contact lenses, ocular disease, low vision, and primary eye care optometry.

My husband Randy and I met while attending optometry school. He is also an optometrist and grew up just west of Fergus Falls, in Foxhome. We were married after graduating from optometry school and are thrilled to be able to return to the Midwest to practice optometry. Randy's family still resides in Foxhome and my family currently lives in Vermillion, SD. Randy and I are avid Minnesota Twins fans! We enjoy the outdoors, reading, golf and cooking.

I enjoy seeing patients of all ages and providing care for all aspects of eye health. One of the factors that influenced my decision to become partners with Drs. Smith and Hanson is the unique specialty that InVision Eye Care provides, vision therapy and pediatric eye care. I am currently a member for the COVD (College of Optometrists in Vision Development) and I feel that a child's vision is a major component for reading and academic success.

I really enjoy living in Fergus Falls! I am a Chamber of Commerce Board Member, a member of the Fergus Falls Business Network, active in Grace Methodist Church, a member of the health board at our church, a BPW member, participate with YMCA volleyball leagues, and Adopt A Class volunteer. In addition, I am a Kiwanis member and serve on the Executive Board.

I am licensed to practice in MN, SD and ND.

Editorial: Why the school board election is so important

On Nov. 2, we will be making important decisions with our votes about the future of our region and state.

Just as important as deciding who our next governor, state representative or state senator will be is choosing who will be sitting on our local school board. The decisions they make affect jobs, resources and, most importantly, the education of our children. School boards establish a vision for the community's schools. They have to set up and maintain an effective, efficient organizational structure for the district that lets the superintendent and administrators manage the schools, teachers teach and students learn.

I’m writing to encourage everyone to learn more by attending a debate of the four District 544 School Board candidates on Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 7p.m. at the Kennedy Secondary School auditorium. Challenger Connie Jensen and incumbents Melanie Cole, Steve Stenerson and Darrell Tungseth are vying for three positions.

The American Association of University Women—Fergus Falls Branch will be sponsoring the debate. The AAUW encourages quality education for all.
Sincerely,
Tanya Sundberg
President, Fergus Falls AAUW

Pictures at an Exhibition (and Membership Social!)

Kaddatz Gallery Manager and AAUW Member Gretchen Boyum
offered the gallery space for a membership reception, Monday, Aug. 30. 

Wine, wondrous women and works of art

WHAT:
AAUW Wine and Cheese Membership Social*

WHEN:
Monday, August 30 at 5:30pm

WHERE:
The Kaddatz Art Gallery,
111 W. Lincoln Avenue, Fergus Falls


Please bring a prospective member as well as a light appetizer or a bottle of wine.

Used Book Sale this Friday and Saturday!

The AAUW Used Book Sale is this Friday and Saturday, June 11-12 at Westridge Mall. Please drop off your books and magazines between 4-6 p.m. on Friday. The sale runs 6-9 pm on Friday, and 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday. Proceeds go towards AAUW scholarships and programs.

The Fergus Falls Daily Journal - Schmidt promotes Fergus Falls through the arts

The Fergus Falls Daily Journal - Schmidt promotes Fergus Falls through the arts

Expanding girls' horizons by exploring future careers in math and science

Member Renae traveled with six Fergus Falls students to the annual Expanding Your Horizons conference at NDSU this past Saturday. The Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics™ conferences nurture girls' interest in science and math courses to encourage them to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

The Fergus Falls AAUW provides transportation and chaperones each year.

Thanks for the adorable photos, Renae!  

Meet New Member Gretchen Boyum

The Fergus Falls AAUW is pleased to welcome Gretchen Boyum is a member!

Gretchen was born and raised in Battle Lake, MN. In high school she studied watercolor and acrylic under Gretchen Farnberg, and participated in a number of programs hosted by Art of the Lakes, A Center for the Arts, and other area organizations. Grecthen attended Minnesota State University Moorhead where she studied drawing, painting and art history and graduated in 2001 with a BA. While living in Fargo, she interned at the Plains Art Museum, which inspired her to continue working in museums and nonprofits. After graduating Gretchen moved to San Francisco, CA, where she attended San Francisco State University and earned her Masters in Museum Studies. While living in San Francisco, she worked for Franklin Bowles Gallery. In 2007 she interned at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington DC, and then lived in Philadelphia for a year, where she volunteered at Art-Space, a nonprofit that helps give underserved communities access to the arts, and worked as an event coordinator for a concert catering business. Last year, while living in St. Paul, she volunteered at the Minnesota Historical Society, worked for the Census, and earned her certificate in Volunteer Leadership from the Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration.

During her travels Gretchen always hoped to return to Minnesota, and is thrilled to be able to work for Kaddatz Galleries where she is the gallery manager and project coodinator, and be a part of the arts community here. She currently lives in Battle Lake with her husband, Pat Crepps, and young son, Rorik.

Never too grown up for a tea party

Forgot to post a pic or two of the Someplace Safe Annual Tea. The AAUW sponsored a table and Renae Sell-Lindgren and Jo Schmidt decorated the table. See below. Isn't it lovely?

See/read more about tea party on Renae's blog.

AAUW Celebrates Title IX at Otters Girls' Basketball Game

The Otters girls' basketball team won in a 60-57 squeaker against St. Cloud Tech Friday night. AAUW members were on hand to cheer on the Otters and share cake and information about Title IX.

Beth Monke created a great display that showed girls' sports in Fergus Falls from 1960 to present.

It was really gratifying to have both young women and young men ask what Title IX was all about.

We hope to make this an annual event, incorporating different girls' sports.

2010 Fergus Falls AAUW Scholarship Announced

The Fergus Falls branch of the American Association of University Women is pleased to announce that it is once again offering scholarships. There is no age limit for applicants. Women who are graduating from high school, attending or returning to college, in transition or making career changes are all encouraged to apply. Women of all race, ethnicity and cultural backgrounds are urged to submit an application.

 The following scholarships will be awarded in 2010:

• Three $1,000 scholarships
• One $1,000 Georgia Dieseth Scholarship for a woman who has demonstrated an interest in the Arts (music, drama, writing, art).

It is important for applicants to realize that the scholarships will be granted on the basis of the “whole person," not simply performance on standardized tests or grade point averages. General factors that will be taken into consideration are the following: leadership, dedication to lifelong learning, completion of the essay, life experiences, extracurricular activities and the applicant appraisal forms.

Only one application packet needs to be submitted, even if you are applying under different scholarship categories. If there is not enough space for your responses on the scholarship application form, please attach additional pages. Please be sure to ask two people to complete the applicant appraisal form. These forms should be completed by a high school or college counselor, advisor or mentor, an instructor, or a work supervisor. Please remember that you must have TWO appraisal forms in order for your scholarship application packet to be considered complete.

Completed application packets must be returned to the address at the bottom of the application and be postmarked no later than March 15, 2010. Scholarship winners will be invited to attend the April 19, 2010 branch meeting

Please contact Peg Werner at 218-739-6004 if you have any questions.

Download scholarship forms on our Web site.

Meng Andrews shares Chinese culture with AAUW members

New AAUW Meng Andrews was the presenter at the February meeting. President Kristi Hastings recorded it to share with all who could not be there. Thanks, Kristi! And thanks, Meng, for your interesting presentation!

New exhibits at Hjemkomst offer a woman's perspective

Three exhibits: "A Woman's Perspective on Work and Play," "Art Aprons" and "Aprons Galore!" (vintage aprons) are on display now through March 30 at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead.

Learn more at http://awp.handworks.org/

Meet our newest member, Meng Andrews

Meng Andrews was born in Shandong province, China.
She attended universities in Shandong; Jinan and Qufu [choo-foo] for degrees in English education. She then taught high school English and returned to university to receive a master's degree in English linguistics and was a university lecturer.

In 1995 she began working for Shandong Publishing group. In 1999-2000 she attended Oxford Brookes University in England for an MA in publishing. She was a senior editor and deputy director for International for Shandong Publishing.

Currently she is instructing Mandarin in the Fergus Falls school district.

Her daughter Chen Chen, Alice, is a student at Hofstra pursuing an MBA.
Meng is married to Steve Andrews.

You're invited to two events Sun. Jan. 31

Come to Cafe 116 on Sunday, January 31st. From 1-3pm, the MN C.A.F.E. Coalition will present on passing a constitutional amendment for equality in Minnesota. This will be immediately followed by a 30th birthday celebration for the Fergus Falls Area Chapter of the National Organization for Women, a strong supporter of equal rights. AAUW members are expressly invited, but the public is welcome, so bring a friend! Come learn more about the necessity of securing the basic principle of gender equality into Minnesota's governing document, and stay for cake and coffee and a celebration of the important work our local NOW chapter is doing!

AAUW responds to State of Union address

Book Study is Thursday, Jan. 28

The AAUW Book Study is this Thursday, Jan. 28 at noon at the Mill Street Residence. The book is Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver.

Minnesota AAUW Convention April 16-18

There's a blizzard outside so it's the perfect time to turn our thoughts to spring and the Minnesota AAUW Convention! The convention will be held at the St. Cloud Convention Center, April 16-18.
Contact Kristi Hastings if you are interested in attending, k.hastings@pemlaw.com

Help Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

Are you a math, science, or engineering teacher? Are you a professional scientist, engineer, college student, or professor? If so, National Lab Day is for you. Visit the National Lab Day website at www.nationallabday.org/groups/aauw to join in this exciting new initiative.

While National Lab Day is tentatively scheduled for early May 2010, it is more than just a day. It's a nationwide movement to bring together science, technology, engineering, and math professionals and teachers to provide high-quality, hands-on, lab experiences for students. It's about all of us working together to give children access to well-equipped labs and to the professionals who can inspire them.

Take Action!


To participate, simply visit www.nationallabday.org/groups/aauw and click on "teachers" or "scientists and engineers." Then fill out the form. Please select American Association of University Women (AAUW) as the professional organization. You can also see what projects have already been entered at www.nationallabday.org/projects/all. If you are a volunteer, this is a great way to sign up for already existing projects. If you are a teacher, click on projects to get ideas about the types of projects teachers are doing.

Submit your entries to the AAUW art contest!

Showcase your art to your fellow AAUW members! AAUW invites all its members to enter our 2010-11 AAUW Art Contest.

January 8 – February 10, 2010: Submit your art design online. Original art can be any medium but must be submitted electronically.

February 12 – March 11, 2010: Members vote for their favorite designs on the AAUW website.

Look at last year's contest winners and this year's entries.