Go Red For Women Luncheon

FARGO, N.D. – Hundreds of Fargo-area heart and stroke survivors, physicians, and business and community leaders will join the American Heart Association to celebrate Heart Month and the Go Red For Women movement at the Go Red For Women Luncheon on February 2^nd at Sanctuary Events Center.

Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association’s nationwide movement that celebrates the energy, passion and power of women banding together to wipe out heart disease, the number one killer of women. The Go Red For Women Event raises money for research and education to prevent heart disease and stroke throughout South Dakota.

“Every 80 seconds a woman dies of heart disease or stroke,” said Samantha Kapphahn, D.O., an interventional cardiologist with Essentia Health, the presenting sponsor of the Fargo event. “Heart disease and stroke cause one in three deaths among women each year. That’s more than all cancers combined.   Many people know that heart disease affects men, but it is also the leading cause of death in women.  We also know that 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented, and that is what the Go Red For Women Event is all about.”

Event attendees will hear from featured survivor Lynnette Anderson, a Page, N.D. heart attack survivor, who will share her story and advocate for women to “know their numbers.” Attendees will also walk away with information on how they can identify their risk for heart disease and stroke and will also get tips for preventing heart disease through simple lifestyle changes. The event will begin 11 a.m. with a silent auction, and social hour. The program will begin at 12:00 p.m. and will conclude at 1:30 p.m.

The Go Red For Women Luncheon is the American Heart Association’s premier fundraiser for the Go Red For Women Movement and aims to raise $40,000 for woman-focused research, health education and awareness programs. Go Red For Women is sponsored nationally by Macy’s and is presented locally by Essentia Health. Additional local event sponsors include the North Dakota Soybean Council, KVRR TV and Midwest Communications Radio.

Tickets and event information are available online at www.heart.org/FargoGoRed or by calling Julia Dangerfield at 218-280-1317.

BOW program celebrates 20 years of connecting women to the outdoors

Learn how to hunt deer. Tie a fly and catch trout. Call a turkey. Go kayaking. Women and families all over Minnesota are learning these and more skills through the Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Minnesota offers more BOW programs than any other state in the nation, with more than 100 family and women-specific offerings. In early May, DNR staff honored volunteers and celebrated two decades of BOW.

“The program wouldn’t exist without volunteers and their commitment, knowledge and passion,” said Linda Bylander, BOW coordinator with the DNR. “These women share their skills and help each other connect with nature in a supportive environment. And exploring the outdoors is simply more fun with friends.”

Classes taught in a noncompetitive environment cover a range of outdoors skills, from Fishing 101 to guided sturgeon fishing adventure trips, from firearms safety classes to mentored archery deer hunts. For a list of upcoming BOW classes and events, see www.mndnr.gov/education/bow/calendar.

“The BOW program has long been the gold standard in providing ways for adult women and families to learn outdoor skills,” said Jay Johnson, DNR hunting recruitment and retention supervisor. “Often they learn these skills through multi-session classes that move participants from low to high skill levels.”

Besides helping to recruit new hunters, BOW fosters a social support system for women looking to make friends through outdoor sports and hone newly learned skills, said Johnson.

“A great example of this is the Women’s Hunting Archery Series. It’s a collaboration between BOW and the North Country Bowhunters Chapter of Safari Club International. With each class, women have a chance to better their skills and share in each other’s success,” Johnson said.

To read more about the history and download the BOW catalog, see www.mndnr.gov/education/bow.

NWMF seeks outstanding "community builders"

 

Since 1998, the Northwest Minnesota Women's Fund has honored 35 women who have demonstrated leadership for improving the quality of their own lives or those around them. In our increasingly complex society, the Women’s Fund seeks to applaud the efforts of the women who have made Northwest Minnesota a better place to live, work, raise families, and have fun.

The Women’s Fund is asking for your assistance in recognizing these women who live in the counties of Beltrami, Clearwater, Marshall, Hubbard, Pennington, Polk, Kittson, Red Lake, Norman, Mahnomen, Roseau and Lake of the Woods.  Nomination forms can be obtained from the Northwest Minnesota Foundation web site (www.nwmf.org) or by calling 218-759-2057 or 1-800-659-7859. 

All nomination forms must be submitted by June 1, 2012. After the selections, the Advisory Committee will plan and host receptions in the recipients’ hometowns, to be held in late summer or early fall.

“Community Builders” awards are given based on the following criteria:

Leadership:  A woman who through leadership roles has made significant contributions to her community; and through volunteerism, citizenship or community service has significantly improved the lives of women and girls.   

Outstanding Mentor: A woman who has demonstrated wisdom and devotion to helping others; a role model and mentor who has supported and encouraged positive development in young women, and who also shows the characteristics necessary for success while actively sharing her skills.

Professional Excellence: A woman who has demonstrated leadership and excellence in her work, and whose leadership has benefited her community and/or her company; and outstanding entrepreneur; a role model for other women in achieving success in traditional or non-traditional positions.

The Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund, a component of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, serves as a catalyst for improving the quality of life for women and girls by focusing on women’s initiatives, leadership and philanthropy to build successful communities.

women’s leadership conference

Chanhassen, MN – Registration is now open for the 14^th Annual Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference set for Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen. This annual event recognizes the integral roles women play in agriculture; offering sessions on leadership, current events, and issues in agriculture and skill-building opportunities.

The conference draws men and women from all aspects of agriculture, including farmers, agribusiness  representatives, college and high school students, FFA members, lending institutions, government agencies, academia, and others.

This year’s event will focus on how participants can influence change in the agriculture industry. Conference topics and presentations will cover a variety of issues in agriculture, including:

·        How to Get Agriculture off the Endangered List

·        Immigrant Women in Minnesota Agriculture

·        Agriculture’s Role in a Changing World (Farm Bill policy)

·        Advocating for Agriculture/Grassroots Advocacy

·        The New Urban Agriculture

·        Chocolate, Broccoli and other Foods to Live By

Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson will recognize outstanding mentors in agriculture as he presents the 9^th Annual Mentorship Awards during the conference.

The one-day conference begins with registration at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. The Minnesota

Landscape Arboretum is located at 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska.

Register on the conference website at www.womensagleadership.org.

Request for Proposals: Women’s Fund Grants and Scholarships

The Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund is calling for funding proposals for programs and services that benefit women and girls within the twelve county Northwest Minnesota Foundation service area.
Counties served by NMF are Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau.

Grant Program
The Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund develops resources and serves as a catalyst for improving the quality of life for women and girls. They envision a region where women and girls reach their full potential and work toward that end through grants, scholarships, education, and recognition programs.

The Women’s Fund will consider grant applications for up to $2,500. To qualify for consideration, applications must support the mission and vision of the Women’s Fund. Priority will be given to applications that support the Women’s Fund goals:
1. Developing entrepreneurial and economic opportunities for women
2. Supporting programs that lead to a safer environment for women and girls
3. Building networks of women in leadership positions throughout the region
4. Encouraging and equipping women and girls to achieve their full potential

Grant funds can be used for speakers, educational materials, program delivery expenses, research projects, and for professional development. Grant funds are not available for scholarships (higher education).
Criteria for selection:
• Relationship of the project to Women’s fund mission and goals (as stated above)
• Evidence of grassroots support involving women
• Identified purpose and need for project
• Clear goals and action steps for completing the project
• Description of working relationship(s) with other partner(s) and/or funding sources
• Potential long-term impact of the project
• Evidence of an evaluation plan

Scholarships for Women
Contingent upon fundraising, the Women’s Fund will offer scholarships to women from the 12 counties in the Women’s Fund service area who are pursuing post-secondary education at a public higher education institution in the area (Bemidji State University, Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, Northland Community and Technical College at Thief River Falls and East Grand Forks, the University of Minnesota Crookston, and the White Earth Tribal College).

Preference will be given to women who intend to remain in the region upon graduation. Scholarship funds are to be used for tuition and books or direct educational material expenses.

As advised by a donor, one scholarship is designated for a woman attending the University of Minnesota, Crookston, with preference given to an older than average woman student.

The deadline for submission of proposals and scholarship applications is March 1, 2012. The grants will be awarded by July 30. The grant and scholarship applications and guidelines are available on the NMF web site www.nwmf.org (Designated Component Funds/NW MN Women’s Fund), or contact Peggy at 218-759-2057 or 800-659-7859, e-mail peggyc@nwmf.org.

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR NORTHWEST MINNESOTA WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME

Nominations will be accepted until January 3, 2012 for women to be considered for induction into the Northwest Minnesota Women’s Hall of Fame. Nominees, who may be living or deceased, must demonstrate a connection to the area of northwest Minnesota that includes the counties of Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau.

A selection board will review the nominees based on the person’s significant contribution to art, athletics, business, government, philanthropy, humanities, science or education. In particular, the nominee’s achievements and contributions must be of enduring and lasting value to society, significant groups within the region, or to the progress and freedom of women.

In addition to the individual’s contributions, the nomination should include the person’s accomplishments, biographical data, educational background and awards. Additional items such as evidence of a lasting legacy, including the nominee’s impact in the region, news articles or publications written either by or about the nominee, and letters of support are strongly encouraged.

Previous inductees include: Norma Hanson, Goodridge; Laddie Elwell, Bemidji; Dolores Clack, Park Rapids; Patricia Rosenbrock, Bemidji; Winona LaDuke, Ponsford; Dr. Roxanne Struthers, Mahnomen; Marilyn Heltzer, Bemidji; Neen Lillquist, Laporte; Dr. Kathleen Annette, Bemidji; Susan Mills, Crookston; Olga Peterson, Clearbrook; Velma Oakland, Red Lake Falls; Nancy Burggraf, Roseau; Esther Fieldman, Park Rapids; Paula W. Bruss Bauck, Roseau; Mae Barness, Bagley; Dr. Mary Chapman Ghostley, Puposky; Anne M. Dunn, Cass Lake; Margaret Marvin, Warroad; Esther Burnett Horne, Waubun; Gretchen Urnes Beito, Thief River Falls; Ruth Edevold, Bagley; Coya Knutson, Oklee; Helen Gill, Bemidji; and Hazel Wahlberg, Roseau.

Individuals and groups wishing to recommend outstanding women for this award may read about these inductees and download application materials online at www.nwmf.org – navigate to component funds/designated component funds/NW MN Women’s Fund. Contact Lisa Peterson, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, at 218-759-2057 or 800-659-7859 with questions.

Induction ceremonies will take place on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at the Beaux Arts Ballroom, Bemidji State University.