FERGUS FALLS AAUW
Issue 6
761
Fergus Falls AAUW
Nov. 2017 MEETING THIRD MONDAY OF THE MONTH – NOVEMBER 20, 2017
President’s Message for May By Jane McLandress I sometimes question, as I watch the news these days, how far women have really come in terms of equality. Sexual harassment, abuse, trafficking and the list goes on, representing the worst of human behavior and an abuse of power with too long a list of enablers to name. Last month some 200 people attended a panel discussion at the Bigwood Center on sexual exploitation and human trafficking in rural Minnesota, sponsored by the United Way of Otter Tail and Wadena Counties. It was a disturbing but important conversation. Among the panel members were assistant count attorney (and AAUW member) Michelle Eldien. It’s heartbreaking to know that the primary victims of human trafficking are young girls, many under 12 years old, some as young as five, and it thrives right under our noses. The panel members stressed the importance of passing “Safe Harbor”
legislation to protect child victims of sex trafficking from being charged with criminal prostitution. They also pointed out that despite the prevalence of the problem, there are still very few charges actually being made and a disturbingly fewer number of prosecutions. It is a positive sign, nonetheless, to see research, public forums, news media, schools and community organizations focusing on this tragic issue.
Sex trafficking is one of the key issues of focus for the AAUW nationally. I encourage you to visit the following websites to learn more: https://www.aauw.org/resource/ statepolicy-sex-trafficking-tool-kit/ - outlines three key state policy priorities to identify and combat sex trafficking. They are 1. hotline posting requirements, 2. safe harbor laws, and 3. vacatur laws https://www.aauw.org/what-wedo/public-policy/aauw-issues/humantrafficking/ - presents an overview of
EDITOR: MISSY HERMES
Human trafficking in the US and worldwide and some of the current efforts to end it http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rulesfo rengagement/2013/02/schools_can_help _combat_sexual_exploitation_traffickin g_of_children.html -(from Education Week) - discusses the role of schools in combatting exploitation and trafficking of children)
Mark your Calendar! Our annual Holiday Social is Monday, Dec. 4th at Cally’s Coffee from 5:30-8 followed by the Book Sale at Lundeen’s Everyone can bring an appetizer to share. Cally’s will serve bars, coffee and water. We’ll also have wine available.
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Mayor 2 Mayor Event
AAUW Mission To advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.
Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney Nov. 14th 4:30-6pm Union Pizza $10
Days for Girls BOOK CLUB At our October AAUW meeting, Kathy Stofer and AAUW member Karen by Peg Werner Krueger addressed a tragic but too little talked about issue that affects girls and women throughout impoverished regions of the world, which is the lack of access to decent feminine hygiene. They described some of the horrific products used by girls each month including such items as corn husks, straw, cardboard, rags and socks. Beyond suffering health issues due to the lack of sanitation, the girls are removed from school for a week each month as they are considered “unclean”. Their absence puts them behind in their studies which leads them to drop out of school and thus lose their chance for future employment. This precipitates a chain of events often culminating in childhood marriage, sale into prostitution and not infrequently, into sex trafficking. Kathy and Karen are part of a growing number of people worldwide who are acting to end this travesty as they work to start up a local chapter of “Days for Girls”. Contact Karen Krueger at (218) 205-6537 or Kathy Stofer at (218)770-0122 to find out how you can help. Visit the Days for Girls website at www.daysforgirls.org to learn more about the organization.
“Every girl and woman has inherent worth and dignity. Days for Girls celebrates this by providing washable feminine hygiene solutions, health education and enterprises to help them reach the last mile in their own communities. When girls and women have health, education, and opportunity, communities and our world are stronger. “ - Days for Girls “What would happen if the autism gene was eliminated from the gene pool? You would have a bunch of people standing around in a cave, chatting and socializing and not getting anything done,” Dr. Temple Grandin
Branch Meeting
Monday, Nov. 20, 2017 Place: Mill St. Residence Program: Carrie Beithon & Steven Vergiels: Life With Autism Time: 5:30 Steven and Carrie will share their personal story about Steven's life with autism. Their goal is to educate and create awareness for everyone...grandparents, coworkers, family, church friends, friends, etc. Steven is now a young adult who lives in the world with autism everyday. His mom has gained a non-documented degree in parenting a child with special needs...however, she states that she is just on the cusp of knowledge about this wonderful and amazing world of autism. They have been speaking to various groups (school staff, churches, service organizations, college and high school classes] over the past 9 years. Enjoy learning something new and giggling at Steven's silly sense of humor. Committee: Carrie Beithon, chair Kate Bruns Ann Porter Pam Jacklitch Jaime Price Anderson Carla Wolf
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2017-18 AAUW Book Study Club Meeting from noon-1pm at the Fergus Falls Public Library Tuesday, January 23, 2018 ~ Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank Tuesday, March 27, 2018 ~ The Train to Crystal City by Jan Jarboe Russell Tuesday, April 24, 2018 ~ Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
Meet Our New MemberWelcome Karen Nitzkorski I bought a home in Fergus Falls a year ago to provide an alternate living arrangement for my mother who lives on a farm near Dent. Although she’s not quite ready to move, the home is waiting for her whenever she decides to leave the farm. I live there during the week with my loving 21-year-old daughter, and go to my weekend home near West Fargo that I own with my husband. I served on the West Fargo School Board for 14 years and currently do fundraising that is providing extra funds for the school district’s amazing Aquatic Center that will open in late November. My most significant work role is as the worksite wellness and school coordinator for PartnerSHIP 4 Health. We’re legislatively funded to impact obesity and tobacco cessation and exposure. I work in this four-county region with schools and worksites to create increased opportunities for healthy foods and physical activity; making the healthy choice the easy choice. I have two thoughtful married sons and am expecting my first grandchild in December.
Did you know that AAUW has a national book club too?
I joined AAUW to support women and make new friends.
Join AAUW and our ¡Adelante! Book of the Month Club in commemorating National Disability Employment Awareness Month as we talk with Kim E. Nielsen, Ph.D., about her book A Disability History of the United States, a “lively historical record that fills a gap in the literature.” Go to the AAUW webpage link below to register for the webinar and buy the book at a discount. http://www.aauw.org/event/2017/ 10/october-adelante-webinar/
MEMBER NEWS
By Janell Miersch Good news! We have new members to welcome to our branch: Kristine Dinsmore Emily Stawarski Would you like to mentor a new member? Contact Janell and let her know.
CAMPUS CORNER
Become an AAUW Campus Ambassador Passionate about creating change on your campus? Ready to step up as a leader? AAUW is looking for campus ambassadors to help spread the word about our programs and leadership opportunities for students! Serving as an ambassador boosts your résumé by giving you the chance to volunteer with a leading national women’s organization. This role will provide you with advocacy tools to make change, develop social media and marketing skills, and embrace networking opportunities with like-minded student leaders all over the world. AAUW campus ambassadors receive monthly e-mails with
Contests to win rad, feminist prizes Leadership and activist tips The latest updates on AAUW’s work on women’s issues Opportunities to provide feedback to AAUW The inside AAUW scoop on so much more
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Benefits for AAUW members As the holiday shopping season approaches it is good to know that your membership in AAUW can benefit your pocketbook. Office Depot/OfficeMax AAUW has partnered with Office Depot and OfficeMax to bring you a free national discount program. Members of AAUW can now save up to 80 percent off preferred products online and in stores!
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AAUW’s 2018 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) is coming and we need your help! Dates to Know Online registration and national scholarship applications open: November 1, 2017 Early-bird registration and scholarship applications close: January 31, 2018
Target
Regular registration closes: April 30, 2018
Every time you make a Target.com purchase, you can now donate to AAUW — and take advantage of weekly flash sales and promotions!
NCCWSL: May 30–June 2, 2018, at the University of Maryland, College Park
Shop AAUW
As AAUW members, you know more than anyone how important the work we do and the programming we offer are for the future generation of leaders.
Get the latest AAUW swag at our online store! T-shirts, tote bags, pens, magnets, stickers, and more from ShopAAUW http://aauw.source4.com/b2c/sites/AAUWMember/Home.asp . Plus, get the printed materials you need for a meeting or event, from research reports to brochures and postcards. Bulk prices are available. For other discounts go to the web site: https://www.aauw.org/membership/benefits/
Each year our branch, state, and national members join forces to recruit students and award scholarships. Whether you’re a seasoned fundraiser or new to the cause, you can help students across the country take charge of their leadership.
