February 2004,
Volume 17, Issue 1

From the Department Head
By Beth Bartlett

In case you’re thinking you haven’t heard from us for awhile and are wondering if you’re still on the mailing list, this is the first issue of the newsletter this year. This fall was a time of transition in Women’s Studies, and the newsletter has been on hold.

In October, the clerical workers at UMD went on strike. It was a difficult time for all of us – the clerical workers out there on the picket lines every day as well as those of us who were in solidarity with them but had to cross the picket line to come to work. The strike was a central issue to those of us in Women’s Studies, especially since nearly all of the clerical workers are women. We showed our support where we could – by standing on the picket line with the clerical workers, taking our students – or being led by them – to talk with the clerical workers, providing food and monetary support, showing The Willmar Eight, by not doing any clerical work that could be delayed (hence, no newsletter). We rejoiced in their victory and had a celebration party for them when they returned after their successful strike.

Unfortunately, we lost our secretary, Barb Lowe, as a result of the strike. We were sad to see her go, but wish her well in her new position.

We were without a secretary for two months (again, hence, no newsletter), but are now delighted to welcome Geraldine Hughes to our department (see her article introducing herself inside), as well as our new student assistant, Ann Wilcox (see her article introducing herself inside), a Women’s Studies minor. Both are very welcome additions!

The other major transition is that Tineke Ritmeester has returned to the department after being on sabbatical and disability leave for four years. We are delighted to have Tineke back, and we are especially glad that she is feeling well enough to be back in the classroom and the department.

We also have a new chair of the Women’s Studies Advisory Board, Susan Engel (see her article introducing herself inside) from the YWCA. Susan is new to the Board, so we are especially grateful that she has also agreed to serve as chair. Welcome Susan!

We have also added a new adjunct professor. We are thrilled to have Joan Varney from Education teaching one of our Intro sections.

Finally, our students are growing in number. We are glad to report that we currently have 16 majors and 30 minors (that’s nearly double the number of minors from last year.) And they are growing in their activism. They have formed a new student group — Feminists Advocating for Change Etcetera (see their article introducing themselves inside), and they are holding consciousness-raising groups!

It’s an honor to be a part of this wonderful group of faculty, staff, students, and community people. We have lots going on the rest of the year, as you’ll see from the calendar inside. We hope you can join us.

Calling all Women’s Studies Alumni!
We’d love to hear your news. Please any news about you and your life that you would like to share to Beth (bbartlet@d.umn.edu) or Geraldine (ws@d.umn.edu), or to the Women’s Studies office, 475 Humanities, 1201 Ordean Court, Duluth, MN 55812.

New Faces
Susan Engel
Susan Engel grew up in Duluth as Susan Sheperd Campbell. After a 24-year absence she moved back to Duluth to accept a position with the YWCA of Duluth as their Girls and Youth Program Director.

She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in School and Community Health and Secondary Science Education. Susan taught junior high Science for seven years in Burnsville, Minn., before staying home with her twins. She worked in Bloomington, Minn., as a youth and family coordinator for Bloomington Community Education before her move back to Duluth.

Susan has been an active participant on the boards of the Duluth Youth Agency Coalition, Mentor Duluth, and Grant Community School Collaborative. She looks forward to continued work on “Take Back the Night” and the “Turn Beauty Inside Out” initiatives. Susan is honored to be chair of the Women’s Studies Advisory Board and looks forward to assisting in the collaboration of University and community events for women and women’s issues.

Ann Wilcox
Ann Wilcox is our work-study student working with Geraldine in the department office. She started in our department in February. Ann is a third-year Criminology major, with a Women’s Studies minor. Her concentration is corrections, and after graduation she intends to work in the juvenile justice system.

Geraldine Hughes

Geraldine, our new department secretary grew up in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She lives in Superior with her husband, Cliff. Geraldine has lived in the area for almost 10 years, has worked for both UWS and UMD, and most recently for a local internet service provider. Her hobbies include reading, listening to country music, traveling, and stained glass art.

Safe Haven Shelter’s Cell Phone Drive Your old cell phone can save a life! For all purposes, the cell phones can be in working condition with charges, broken and/or without chargers and still be worth something.

Please bring those cell phones to one of the cell phone collection “drop boxes” at the following Twin Ports locations:

Super One Foods - 1515 Oakes Ave, Superior
- 5300 Bristol St, Duluth
- 5401 Burning Tree Rd, Duluth
Windsong PCS - 1400 London Rd, Duluth
UMD - Women’s Action Center - 193 Kirby Dr.

Commission on Women Grant
The UMD Commissions on Women is currently accepting grant applicants for the 2004-2005 academic year. Grant information and applications are available online at: http://ww.d.umn.edu/comwomen/.

The application deadline for small grants, $300 or less, will be accepted throughout academic year. The deadline for major grants, $301-$1000, for Fall semester 2004 programs is April 15 and for Spring semester 2005 programs the deadline is November 15. For more information, e-mail Nancy at ndamberg@d.umn.ed or call 726-6966.

Resources/Organizations The Women’s Resource and Action Center (WRAC) is a student-run, student-oriented organization providing students with the opportunities to enrich their educational experiences. The center provides a wide variety of resources and services, which are available to both male and female students. These resources and services include information about university opportunities, job postings, peer counseling and victim service referrals, extensive resource files and book collection both for academic and personal use, campus outreach and educational services, and special programming. WRAC also has many volunteer opportunities available to students wanting to become more involved. The center welcomes and encourages visitors to drop in. It is located in Kirby 193.

Feminists Advocating for Change Etcetera (FACE): Come gather at our meetings to conjure up ways in which to scatter feminist ideals such as love, equality, empowerment, solidarity, etcetera on campus and in the community. We offer a safe space for the manifestation of ideas, discourse, and passions. FACE meetings are for students interested in feminist issues and meets at 5 p.m., Thursdays, Kirby 193/WRAC office. For information, contact Helen at veli0010@d.umn.edu or 722-5610.

PAVSA Support Groups for adult women survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault begins March 10, from 10 a.m. to Noon for 10 weeks at the PAVSA office. Interested parties need to call to set up a pre-group meeting. Please call Beth Olson or Rose Carlson at 726-1442 for more information or with questions.

To Let
Chester Creek House, a woman-identified co-op, has an opening. For more information, call (218) 728-6458.

Women’s History Events: April 21. “Iron Range Women’s History Project” by Aimee Brown, MonH 108, 12 Noon. Sponsored by WRAC and WS.

“Take Back the Night” will be held April 29, from 6 - 7:30 p.m., pre-march. The march and rally begins at 7:30 – 9 p.m. at the YWCA, 202 W 2nd St.

May 5. “Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival” by Tineke Ritmeester, Kirby 355, 12 noon. Sponsored by WS and WRAC.

Conferences
“Save Women’s Lives: March for Freedom of Choice” Sunday, April 25th, in Washington D.C. For more information, go to: http://www.marchforchoice.org.

“Opening Our Doors Conference” from 4 - 9 p.m., April 30th, and 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., May 1 in First Lutheran Church, Duluth. For information, call (218) 728-3668.

National Women’s Studies Association 25th Annual Conference, “Women in the Middle: Borders, Barriers, Intersections,” June 17-20 in the Hyatt Regency, Milwaukee, Wis. For more information, go to www.nwsa.org. There will also be an embedded conference, “Coalitions and Conflicts Across Difference” plus workshops, arts, special events and discussions. Plenary Topics and Speakers:
“Generations of Feminism” by Gerda Lerner, Lisa Jervis, Ellen Bravo and Barbara Smith.
“Women and Globalism” by Cynthia Enloe and M. Jacqui Alexander.
“Feminist Uses of Science and Technology” by Rita Arditti, Adriane Fugh-Berman and Cindy Pearson.


TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY
GATE presents “Women Spiritual Quests:
Listen to the heart song of the Ancient Mothers.” For more information, call (608) 791-5283.
Mexico Quest, 8/7-8/17
Latina Quest, 7/13-7/23
Guadalupe Quest, 7/24-8/3
Euro Quest, Spring 2005
U.S.A. Goddess Quest - by arrangement


Women’s Studies Department Contact Info:
Office Hours: Mon - Thurs: 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., and Fri.: 10 a.m. to Noon.
Mailing address: 475 Humanities, 1201 Ordean Court, Duluth, MN 55812.
Tel. #: 218-726-7953
E-mail: ws@d.umn.edu for Geraldine Hughes, Department Secretary
Website: www.d.umn.edu/ws


Beth Bartlett, Department Head
bbartlet@d.umn.edu or 726-8284
Tineke Ritmeester, Associate Professor
tritmees@d.umn.edu or 726-6224
Njoki Kamau, Assistant Professor
mkamau@d.umn.edu or 726-6781