Sharing Women's Stories

The speaker for the evening at the March 21 branch meeting was Kathy

Magnuson,  Publisher/Editor for the

Minnesota Women’s Press.

She talked about the  history of the publication and it’s current role

in supporting women’s issues in Minnesota. It all started when a

group of women were gathered, and someone asked “What

would the news look like through women’s eyes?” The answer

became “We should find out”. The mission of the publication

is to “...tell women’s stories in ways that create community and encourage

change.” They believe that every woman has a story about real things

that matter, and that we are often reflected in other peoples stories.

The magazine is available free at 500 locations around the state,

and subscriptions for mail delivery are also available. To

find one of the free newsstand locations, go to their website,

www.womenspress.com, and click on ‘get a copy’, or call 651-646-3968. Kathy shared sample copies of the magazine
and of Book Woman (their bookclub journal) with attendees. 
It was an entertaining and informative presentation.

Evening Book Group Changes Meeting Date



The evening book group meeting for April has been moved to April 17, at the home of Louise Williams.  This is one week later than listed in the program book.

Check this out for Women's History Month

If you are on Facebook, search for and 'like' the National Women's History Project page.  Each day, they feature a pioneer in women's history, some you will know about and some will be new.  Always interesting!

Sojourner Project is February Focus

The Glenn in Minnetonka was the setting for the February luncheon.  Judi Nelson, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Sojourner Project, spoke to us about their programs.

Sojourner is a shelter agency for battered women and children in the western Hennepin County suburbs.  Services include a 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter, safety planning, legal advocacy, individual and group therapy, support groups, and life skill groups.  Judi encouraged us to be sensitive to those we come in contact with, to recognize the signs of physical or emotional abuse, and to help the person seek safety and shelter.  As a service project, members brought donations, mostly baby items, and Judi graciously accepted them on behalf of the women currently housed at the shelter.

MAKERS coming to PBS

A special program will be aired on PBS on February 26.  It is a new documentary called MAKERS: Women Who Made America.  It tells the story of the women's movement through firsthand accounts of the leaders, opponents, and trailblazers who fought valiantly for women's rights in the last half-century.  Click this link for a short preview.  Preview here.

"Potato in a Rice Bowl"

 



(appologies for being a little quiet over the holidays)

MetroWest gathered on January 19, 2013 for a luncheon featuring Peggy Keener, author of "Potato in a Rice Bowl", an account of her life in several countries of Southeast Asia, especially Japan.  She related a number of stories from her experience as a young wife with small children, living on her own in an unfamiliar culture.  She also described how the role of women in Japan has changed over recent decades.

Discussing Elder Abuse

The chairs were full around the table at the November 15th meeting as we listened to Carmen Castanada, a social worker with Hennepin County Adult Protection Services discuss the growing problem of vulnerable adult abuse and neglect.  In Hennepin County in 2011, the most common reports to Adult Protection Services were for self neglect, financial exploitation, other forms of neglect, followed by emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse.  Carmen discussed the various forms of abuse and neglect, and offered a number of suggestions for prevention.