Barb Wonson Liukkonen

AAUW-MN Funds VP

In 2019-2020, “our” American Fellowships have funded the scholarly work of five outstanding women across a broad spectrum of academic fields. THIS is the purpose and the outcomes from the funds you help raise every year. We in MN-AAUW can be proud that we have initiated and completed (to stipend-producing level) 12 American Fellowships, 2 International Fellowships, and 8 Research and Projects Grants.

Here is a brief summary of the amazing women funded through our MN-supported American Fellowships. Next month I’ll share the highlights of the exemplary women and projects who have received funding through “our” International Fellowships and R&P Grants. Keep in mind that stipends from multiple funds are usually required to produce sufficient funds to support a Fellow.

Kiara Jorgenson

Kiara Jorgenson is from St. Olaf College. She received a publication grant in the field of Ecotheology. Her project is entitled “The Ecology of Vocation: Ecofeminism, Doctrine and Justice.” Kiara’s work at the intersection of climate change and Christian theology has investigated the historical development of the Protestant doctrine of vocation. Her current project applies a critical ecofeminist reading of the much-celebrated doctrine as it relates to the justice of work in contemporary private and public realms. Jorgenson is the mother of two daughters, a teaching theologian in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a Girls on the Run coach.

Kiara received funding from these four Minnesota-supported American Fellowships:

∙ Grace Ellis Ford (fund 1043)

∙ Winona (MN) Branch/Augusta Nelson (fund 1780)

∙ Minnesota Past Presidents (4326) - Our NEWEST MN Fund

∙ Dr. Jane A. Skinner (4203)

Sasha Suarez

Sasha Suarez, from the U of MN, Twin Cities, is earning her Ph.D. in American Indian history. Her project is: “Gakaabikaang: White Earth Ojibwe Women and the Creation of 20th-Century Indian Minneapolis.” Sasha is a White Earth Ojibwe descendant, an is examining 20th-century community organizing by White Earth Ojibwe women in Minneapolis. Her dissertation argues that Ojibwe women's community work and early formations of the Minneapolis American Indian community are foundational to present-day community structures and that this history represents the continuation and adaptation of indigenous tribal and intertribal identities in urban spaces. She expects to obtain a Ph.D. in American studies in May 2020.

Sasha also received funding from four of our MN-supported American Fellowships:

∙ Nancy Rustad (fund 4149)

∙ Minnesota Founders (fund 1712)

∙ Yvonne C. Condell (fund 1029)

∙ Gertrude Hognander (fund 4215)

Jennifer DeClue

Jennifer DeClue, from Smith College, is completing a post-doc in Black Feminism and Cinema Studies. Her project is called “Ghosts of Visual Culture: Archives of Violence and the Black Feminist Avant-Garde.” Jennifer's research examines the relationship between visual culture and the knowledge produced and circulated about black cis and trans women. Her current book project analyzes short films made by black women filmmakers who, through their engagement with archival documents and avant-garde cinematic techniques, conjure new ways of seeing black women. She argues that these films produce a black feminist avant-garde. Her goal is to complete this book project and attain a publishing contract.

Jennifer’s work was partially funded through the Joann Paden (fund 1808) American Fellowship, as well as two other fellowships.

Paula Ortet

Paula Ortet is a chemist from Boston University. She is earning her Ph.D. in biochemistry, and her project is entitled “The Design of Bivalent Peptides to Elucidate the Mechanism of Activation of the RET Receptor Tyrosine Kinase.” Paula’s research investigates the mechanism of activation of the RET receptor protein, which plays a key role in the maintenance and survival of neuronal cells. RET is, therefore, a clinically relevant target in neurodegeneration therapy. The goal of Ortet’s work is to pave the way for the development of drugs capable of activating RET to treat disease. She aims to work as a scientific researcher in drug discovery at a pharmaceutical company.

Paula’s research was funded through another MN-supported American Fellowship, in combination with two other fellowships:

∙ Nancy Baker Selby (1667)

Roosbelinda Cárdenas

Roosbelinda Cárdenas, of Hampshire College in Massachusetts, works in the field of anthropology and archaeology. She received a publication grant for her project “Raising Two Fists: Struggles for Black Citizenship in Multicultural Colombia.” Roosbelinda Cárdenas is an assistant professor of Latin American studies and anthropology at Hampshire College. Her book project, Raising Two Fists: Struggles for Black Citizenship in Colombia, is a historically grounded ethnography of Afro-Colombian mobilization after the multicultural turn that swept Latin America in the 1990s. Cárdenas's teaching and research focus on identity and rights for Afro-descendants in Latin America and social theories of race and racism, social movements, place and displacement, and human rights.

Roosbelinda’s work was funded through two of our MN-supported American Fellowships:

∙ Elizabeth C. Donath (Fund 1036)

∙ Mabell G. McCullough (Fund 1077)

Jan Carey, AAUW-MN VP of Public Policy

There is so very much to do as we welcome the New Year. 2020 is, of course, building to be the most critical year for our country and AAUW. This update will give you a start to achieving state and branch goals. Much assistance is available using the resources found on the AAUW national website. It begins with our CEO and how we can promote equity for women and girls.

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AAUW CEO Kim Churches is providing ‘issue’ updates regularly in webinar format. Hundreds of members are attending these webinars and sharing national perspectives and actions by branch members across the country. The webinars are archived on the national AAUW website. The December webinar will be posted soon.

The October webinar has new information which should be shared with branch members as soon as possible. Watch the recording of CEO Kim Churches’ special webinar exclusively for members with an update on AAUW’s achievements, including reaching our Work Smart goals, rolling out the new 5-star recognition program, and strengthening our governance and sustainability.

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Getting ready, it’s going to be a Year of Politics –

There are numerous AAUW Resources branch members may access and use to form actions and strategies to promote the mission of AAUW. Resources targeted to Public Policy are here. I recently received print copies of the Congressional Voting Record. Watch for information in a January 2020 public policy update.

As the AAUW Public Policy committee formalizes its Legislative Day 2020, there are key areas members should read to prepare for our day at the State Capitol. Also, I will assemble more information in a special edition of The PINE.

Report the following to your branch members:

1. How to Host a Rally. The public policy committee has not yet considered a Rally. However, the information is useful if your branch is interested in forming a local event.

2. How to Hold a Meeting with Your Elected Officials.

3. How to Organize a Voter Registration Drive. If you do anything in 2020, it should be this. When I worked at my local college, I organized Voter Registration Drives every election year. Seek out faculty instructors for assistance and support. They can be your best allies.

Click on the link below to download the full descriptions!

Running this article again as there have not been any requests since October.

AAUW MINNESOTA will award several grants during 2019-2020 to support branch projects that further the AAUW mission of advancing equity for women and girls. The Branch Project Grant Evaluation Committee will consider the following criteria in rating the applications.

Click the link below to open it and print it.

This document is also on our AAUW-MN state website.

gwglashan@gmail.com

AAUW of Minnesota, NCCWSL Chair

The AAUW of Minnesota Board is ready to award $1,000.00 to ten Minnesota branches, one scholarship per branch, that send a student to the 2020 National Conference of College Women Student Leaders, aka NCCWS, May 27–30, 2020!

As America’s premier conference for college women, NCCWSL provides a transformative experience for 800+ attendees and prepares them to be the next generation of leaders. I hope your branch will consider giving this opportunity to a deserving young college woman in your community. Then apply for a $1,000.00 grant, which covers the cost of NCCWSL registration, room and board, and airfare.

The deadline to submit a chosen applicant, along with proof of registration, to AAUW of Minnesota is February 1, 2020. Checks will be awarded to each branch in February 2020.

Downloadable materials are now on the AAUW of Minnesota website, click here.

This picture includes seven members of the Fergus Falls branch on a 3-day Cultural Trip/adventure to the Iron Range, including Virginia, Chisholm, Ely, and Soudan. The weekend started in Aurora with an informational lunch with Representative Dave Lislegard, to learn about current Iron Range mining issues, arranged by Barb Baldrica, and included Pat Tamminen, a Virginia AAUW member.

Each Fall for many years, members of the Fergus Falls branch have traveled to different locations to learn about the history and culture of those areas.

Submitted by Jeanne Jensen, AAUW member and trip planner

What fun idea does your Branch do to get together with your AAUW Sisters? Let Cyndy know by emailing cyndyharrison@msn.com