The AAUW—Fergus Falls branch awarded four scholarships to area women this spring. Each received a $1,000 award to use at the school of her choice. The women were chosen from 27 applications.
• Becky Boyd attended M-State—Fergus Falls and will begin studies at Minnesota State—Moorhead in the fall. She plans to study social work
• Emma DeMartelaere is a senior at Kennedy Secondary, Fergus Falls, and will be attending the University of Minnesota—Minneapolis in the fall. Her field of interest is civil engineering.
• Ellen Ferry recently graduated from Underwood School. She is interested in studying psychology, communications and business at a liberal arts college.
• Lizzy Link received the Georgia Dieseth Scholarship, which is given to a woman who has demonstrated an interest in the arts. She is a senior at Kennedy Secondary, Fergus Falls, and plans to attend Olivet University in Bourbonnais, IL. She has an interest in ministry as a pastor, teacher or musician.
“Our four awardees stood out from some very stellar applications. Our branch is pleased to be able to help area women further their education and achieve their career goals,” said Peg Werner, chair of the AAUW—Fergus Falls’ scholarship committee.
The Fergus Falls branch of the American Association of University Women works to advance equity for women and girls in the Fergus Falls, Minnesota area.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Silent auction a big success for scholarship for Laizah
Thank you, AAUW members and guests of our 50th anniversary for helping us raise $509 through the silent auction for Zimbabwean student Laizah. In addition, other contributions--including those made at our April meeting, those sent from people invited to the celebration, plus some donated by guests at the meeting--added to the auction $ give us a grand total of $1,341!!!!
In a recent email from Maryjane, she said Laizah is enrolling in a sewing and dressmaking course, which is $20 per month for the class. She also has lodging and food costs. In addition, she still needs to take English classes in order to pass her English exam, which is needed for success in school and business; there is a cost for both the classes and the exam. There should be enough money in the fund for her to buy supplies to be able to start her business on completion of her course.
We will be sendng the money through "A Light for Zimbabwe," founded by two nurses in New Hampshire. They have done a lot of work with the mission/orphanage/hospital at Mt. Selinda, where the Westras are. Maryjane said that the two women take turns coming over for a month at a time and are able to bring funds with them. Their organization focuses on education and business opportunities, goals in common with ours.
In a recent email from Maryjane, she said Laizah is enrolling in a sewing and dressmaking course, which is $20 per month for the class. She also has lodging and food costs. In addition, she still needs to take English classes in order to pass her English exam, which is needed for success in school and business; there is a cost for both the classes and the exam. There should be enough money in the fund for her to buy supplies to be able to start her business on completion of her course.
We will be sendng the money through "A Light for Zimbabwe," founded by two nurses in New Hampshire. They have done a lot of work with the mission/orphanage/hospital at Mt. Selinda, where the Westras are. Maryjane said that the two women take turns coming over for a month at a time and are able to bring funds with them. Their organization focuses on education and business opportunities, goals in common with ours.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Scenes from our 50th anniversary celebration
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| Outgoing President Tanya Sundberg and VP of Membership Marion Kershner modeled pearls, hair pouf and pillbox reminiscent of 1961. |
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| Like many of the attendees, Lisa Brummer and Pam Jacklitch enjoyed dressing up in an homage to the styles of 1961. |
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| Charter Member Yvonne Condell addressed the celebration guests. |
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| Pemberton Law Firm graciously provided bubbly to help us toast our 50 years! |
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| Customized vases and flowers proved a lovely "parting gift" for attendees. |
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| Kristi Hastings was names 2011 Woman of the Year |
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| Margaret Anderson Kelliher was a charming and enlightening keynote speaker. |
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| A silent auction was held for scholarship funds for Laizeh, a young Zimbabwean woman who wishes to further her education and help her employment prospects. |
Kristi Hasting named 2011 Woman of the Year
Hastings is a lawyer at Pemberton, Sorlie, Rufer & Kershner Law Firm, Fergus Falls, and a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW)—Fergus Falls branch since 2002.
She served as president of the Fergus Falls AAUW branch in 2009. Under her leadership, the branch won the Minnesota AAUW’s “Mission in Motion” Award. This award recognizes branches that work to incorporate the AAUW’s mission in all areas of branch activity.
This past year, Hastings coordinated the branch’s first ever STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) career exploration event for 4th and 5th grade girls. Science Girl Saturday was such a success, the Fergus Falls AAUW is planning its next event, Techno Girl Saturday.
This is not the first time Hastings has received public recognition. In 2010, she was named one of the Minnesota Jaycees’ “Outstanding Young Minnesotans” for her demonstrated commitment to public service and to the advancement of women in professional and scientific fields.
She is also the incoming president of the 544 Education Foundation, on the Lake Region Healthcare Advisory Council, and a board member of the Council of School Attorneys.
"Kristi is such a driving force in our branch and she is always bringing fresh ideas to the table. She has been very active in our branch as the president last year and then as the STEM coordinator this year,” said Tanya Sundberg, current president of the Fergus Falls AAUW. “She does all this while maintaining a successful law practice, raising two kids, remodeling her house, and just generally being fabulous."
The Woman of the Year award includes a $100 donation to the organization of the honoree’s choice. Hastings has chosen the Claire Ann Shover Nursery School as the recipient of the donation.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Fergus Falls AAUW--50 years strong!
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| The 1961 charter dinner of the Fergus Falls AAUW |
The branch’s first president, Lois Fankhanel, presided over 21 charter members. There were no less than 13 standing committees for such topics as the arts, education, international relations, social and economic issues, and the status of women.
Along with the monthly meetings, the Fergus Falls branch held a spring tea for senior girls from Hillcrest, Fergus Falls High School and the junior college, now M-State. In 1963, the first home tour was held, co-sponsored by the Fergus Falls AAUW and Shover Nursery School Mothers. Proceeds of the tour helped finance the educational projects of the two groups.
Fifty years’ later, the biannual Tour of Homes is still one of the Fergus Falls AAUW’s most popular fundraisers, along with the annual book sale. Proceeds help fund the branch’s scholarship and educational programs. This past year the branch hosted its first “Science Girl Saturday,” an event for fourth and fifth grade girls to experience firsthand what STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) careers are like.
On Monday, May 16, the Fergus Falls AAUW will celebrate its golden anniversary with a member dinner at the Bigwood Event Center, followed by a keynote by Margaret Anderson Kelliher at 7:30 p.m. Her talk, “Women and the Future of Minnesota’s Workforce: STEMming the Tide” is free and open to the public.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Margaret Anderson Kelliher to speak at May 16 celebration
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| Margaret Anderson Kelliher |
There’s no doubt technology will play a major role in future workforce development. Many of the careers our young children will have don’t even exist yet. The Minnesota High Tech Association helps prepare for the jobs of the future by creating the best environment possible for Minnesota technology companies. Educating our future workforce is a big part of the MHTA mission.
MHTA President Margaret Anderson Kelliher will speak about new research that shows Minnesota has the biggest demand in the country for a highly educated, advanced workforce. That’s why we need to encourage our young people—particularly girls—to seriously consider STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) careers.
Margaret Anderson Kelliher joined the Minnesota High Tech Association as its president and CEO earlier this year after a 12-year career in the Minnesota House of Representatives. As Speaker of the Minnesota House, she was a champion for the education and workforce issues that are central to the mission of MHTA.
She is sure to inform, inspire and entertain us!
Anderson Kelliher's speech is at 7:30 p.m. Her presentation is free of charge and open to the public.
We're celebrating our 50th anniversary!
Please invite guests to share this special evening with!
Meet Liazah
After reading the book Half the Sky for a book study, some AAUW members wondered what they could do to help more women prosper. At the March meeting, Jeanne Jensen introduced us to Liazah from Zimbabwe. Member Maryjane Westra, who is living and working in Zimbabwe, suggested Liazah as a wonderful candidate for scholarship funds. Here's what Maryjane says about Liazah:
Liazah’s lovely smile will tell you all you need to know about her. She is a young woman with potential. She and young women like her are the future of Zimbabwe. She is worth the investment.
Liazah, age 18, is a recent graduate of the Daisy Dube Children’s Home, which means she has aged out of the children’s home care and must, by law, move out. Unlike other young girls her age, she has no family to take her in and no source of support. With unemployment at 90% in the rural areas of Zimbabwe, the best she can hope for without further training is “piece work,” meaning undependendable day labor jobs like carrying water or working in the fields. Sometimes girls find themselves marrying for all the wrong reasons.
Liazah’s impoverished parents sold her into marriage at the age of eight. She went to live with her future husband’s family where she did forced labor and waited for marriage. At the age of 12, the much older promised husband could wait no longer and took her as his wife. Child welfare officials became involved and Liazah came to Daisy Dube Children’s Home in Mt. Selinda Mission. She has been a hard worker and shown responsibility for the younger residents at the home.
She recently graduated from Form 4 “O” levels, roughly the equivalent of high school. But any further training requires two years of “A” level classes. She is a good student, although she was disappointed that she did not pass English. A passing grade in English is vital to future education. Her spoken English is excellent and we intend to help her study to pass the English exam in April.
Liazah has had some ideas about her future. She is sure she does not want to marry until she has completed some training or education. She volunteers for the hospital full time in exchange for some food and a small room. She does not own a cooking pot or a pillow. She recently took some sewing lessons and sewed herself a uniform. Mt. Selinda is her family and she has adopted Don and Maryjane Westra as her mom and dad!
A sponsor for this young lady would allow her to complete her “A” levels. Sponsorship would mean paying school fees ($90 per term, three terms per year for two years), some money for school supplies and a small amount of money for incidentals. In exchange she will write to you about her progress and future dreams. This girl has potential!
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To help support Liazah as she finished her "A" levels, please send donations to Leslie Flugstad, 931 First Ave , Fergus Fall, MN 56537. Please indicate what donation is for. We also invite you to bid freely at the silent auction at our May 16 50th anniversary celebration!
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| Liazah |
Liazah’s lovely smile will tell you all you need to know about her. She is a young woman with potential. She and young women like her are the future of Zimbabwe. She is worth the investment.
Liazah, age 18, is a recent graduate of the Daisy Dube Children’s Home, which means she has aged out of the children’s home care and must, by law, move out. Unlike other young girls her age, she has no family to take her in and no source of support. With unemployment at 90% in the rural areas of Zimbabwe, the best she can hope for without further training is “piece work,” meaning undependendable day labor jobs like carrying water or working in the fields. Sometimes girls find themselves marrying for all the wrong reasons.
Liazah’s impoverished parents sold her into marriage at the age of eight. She went to live with her future husband’s family where she did forced labor and waited for marriage. At the age of 12, the much older promised husband could wait no longer and took her as his wife. Child welfare officials became involved and Liazah came to Daisy Dube Children’s Home in Mt. Selinda Mission. She has been a hard worker and shown responsibility for the younger residents at the home.
She recently graduated from Form 4 “O” levels, roughly the equivalent of high school. But any further training requires two years of “A” level classes. She is a good student, although she was disappointed that she did not pass English. A passing grade in English is vital to future education. Her spoken English is excellent and we intend to help her study to pass the English exam in April.
Liazah has had some ideas about her future. She is sure she does not want to marry until she has completed some training or education. She volunteers for the hospital full time in exchange for some food and a small room. She does not own a cooking pot or a pillow. She recently took some sewing lessons and sewed herself a uniform. Mt. Selinda is her family and she has adopted Don and Maryjane Westra as her mom and dad!
A sponsor for this young lady would allow her to complete her “A” levels. Sponsorship would mean paying school fees ($90 per term, three terms per year for two years), some money for school supplies and a small amount of money for incidentals. In exchange she will write to you about her progress and future dreams. This girl has potential!
----------------------------------------
To help support Liazah as she finished her "A" levels, please send donations to Leslie Flugstad, 931 First Ave , Fergus Fall, MN 56537. Please indicate what donation is for. We also invite you to bid freely at the silent auction at our May 16 50th anniversary celebration!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Nominate your favorite AAUWer for Woman of the Year!
Think of all the extraordinary women who gather together for our AAUW meeting each month. Is there one who particularly stands out for her contributions to AAUW and to the community? Then nominate her for the 2011 Fergus Falls AAUW Woman of the Year. The list of previous years’ honorees is on the back page of the membership booklet.
Download nomination form.
Download nomination form.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
We're now accepting 2011 scholarship applications
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, and 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 2011:
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.
You can download the application and recommendation forms from this website (on the righthand side).
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 21, 2011. Scholarship winners will be invited to attend the April 18, 2011 branch meeting.
Please contact Peg Werner at 218-739-6004 if you have any questions.
The following scholarships will be awarded in 2011:
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.
You can download the application and recommendation forms from this website (on the righthand side).
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 21, 2011. Scholarship winners will be invited to attend the April 18, 2011 branch meeting.
Please contact Peg Werner at 218-739-6004 if you have any questions.
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