ND Women’s Voice

VOLUME 6, ISSUE 1 WINTER 2012

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Director’s Desk

Bridging the 2 As the North need to be asked. So, we’re doing strong partnership with Planned Political D a k o t a the asking and the training. We Parenthood of ND, MN, and SD. Women’s held a Ready to Run: Campaign Gender Gap Network Training for Women in the fall of None of these efforts could be ushers in 2012 2011 and have another scheduled carried out without membership Contacting 3 we’re excited for February 3 rd . This project is a and financial support. On th ND’s to see the blooming of our collaborative effort with Bismarck February 14 , we will participate Delegation endeavors. Our mission to State College and AAUW-ND. in Giving Hearts Day, an online improve women’s lives is rooted 24 hour fundraising event. Board Ready to Run is only one of our member Melissa Gillett and her Giving Hearts in women’s power. We know 4 efforts, we have been exploring cousin Carla Christofferson are Day women are the missing ingredient to policy progress; as such we are redistricting problems with the challenging everyone to give to working diligently to increase the ND League of Women Voters; NDWN that day through Searching for 4 number of women serving in we continue our strong advocacy www.impactgiveback.org and they 2012 NDWN public office. for low and moderate income will match, dollar for dollar, each Woman of the women through our leadership donation up to $4000. You can Year Research shows women are just on the ND Economic Security read more of the details on as likely as men to win an and Prosperity Alliance; and we Giving Hearts Day on page 4. 2011 5 election, but much less likely to keep vigilant watch on women’s Opportunities step forward to run. Women reproductive freedoms through a and Advancements for Women Member’s Corner: Featuring Jessica Haak

Ready to Run 6 As a statewide organization, the organization was to help create and a cooperative balance to Women’s Network is awareness about domestic legislative involvement. Event comprised of a talented and violence and sexual assault. Announcement remarkable group of individuals NDWN fights for the rights of North Dakota Women’s across the state with limited victims of these crimes. NDWN Network is an incredible 11 Lessons 6 opportunities to meet one another. stands with allied organizations opportunity to network with from 2011 for prevention and intervention women leaders across the state. The Member’s Corner was created Woman of the when these horrific crimes are Each person provides unique for you to become acquainted with a committed. experiences and a different Year Judy fellow member of the Women’s perspective. It is that network DeMers Network. Say “hello” to this issue’s Another important issue is that that works together to stand up featured member… women make up less than 15% of for women, in your community, ND’s legislature; clearly that does in your county, and in this state Recognizing 7 The North Dakota Women’s not reflect the population and has and you can make a difference. NDWN Network matters not only to to be changed. NDWN is a way Donors women, but also to children and to encourage and train women’s families across the state. leadership. It provides great NDWN is a non-partisan opportunities for women, such as Become a 8 organization that addresses many the Ready to Run program and Member concerns that North Dakota WE Rise during legislative years. citizens face everyday. One of Women offer a different my main reasons for joining the perspective, unique experiences P A G E 2 Bridging the Political Gender Gap By Kjersten Nelson leveled off, and in some cases, leadership should and does look dropped. Seventeen percent of like, what sorts of problems are Last September, I joined a the current Congress is female most important to society, and group of about thirty women – better than it has been in the what are some of the best from around the state who past, but nowhere near solutions to these problems. came together in Bismarck for mirroring the general For instance, political scientist NDWN’s Ready to Run. The population. Michele Swers found that day-long seminar brought Democratic women and together women who have run Statistics for North Dakota are moderate Republican women for office, women who are in even worse. The state are more likely to introduce office, campaign experts, and legislature is 14.6 percent legislation on issues like others who are interested in female, making us forty-sixth – domestic violence, reproductive running for office. It was a day that’s forty-six out of fifty – in the rights, and child care. We tend of practical information and nation. That places us well out- to call these “women’s issues,” inspiring stories. of-league with our neighbors. but in reality, these are issues Minnesota ranks 5 th in the that impact our families – male nation with 31 percent, and female members alike – and Montana is 23 rd in the nation our daily lives. In the words of with 24 percent, and South Congresswoman Barbara Dakota is 37 th with 20 percent. Kennelly (CT), “Women have a We currently have only one different perspective and you woman in statewide elected need women to be in the room office (State Treasurer Kelly to make sure it is heard.” Schmidt), and she joins a small group of only fifteen women in With all of this bad news, the state’s history that have where is the good news? The Sounds like fun, you might be held statewide office. good news is in opportunities thinking. But why would we Moreover, North Dakota like Ready to Run, which will be need a seminar specifically for voters have never elected a held again February 3. Sign up women who might be woman to federal office and invite a friend – research interested in running for office? (although Jocelyn Birch Burdick shows that one of the main Aren’t there avenues open out did fill her husband’s seat for a reasons women don’t run for there for anyone who might be short time after his death). office is because no one asks us. interested? Technically, yes – The tools received at this In theory, there shouldn’t be Why might this matter to us, as training also help address the anything holding women back citizens and as women? other reason women don’t run from running for office. As we Someone could argue that the – we don’t think we’re qualified. all know, most forms of gender of a candidate shouldn’t With the information and discrimination, in elected matter, that it’s about the friendships available at Ready to politics and other places, are individual person who is filling Run, North Dakota women are illegal. the role. Certainly, in a perfect one step closer to closing the world, that would be the case. state’s representation gap. The reality of the situation But despite years of progress suggests something else, for women’s place in society, Kjersten Nelson is though. As a nation, the US has the fact remains that different an assistant professor of made strides when it comes to socialization tends, on average, Political Science at women running for and to give men and women very NDSU. occupying elected office. In different perspectives on recent decades, however, the consequential things: things like proportion of women has how people interact, what

ND WOMEN’S VOICE VOLUME 6, ISSUE 1 P A G E 3 Contacting our North Dakota Senators and Representative Kent Conrad (D) (R) (R) DC Address: DC Address: DC Address The Honorable Kent Conrad The Honorable John Hoeven The Honorable Rick Berg United States Senate 323 Cannon HOB 530 Hart Senate Office Building G11 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington DC, 20510 DC Phone: (202) 225-2611 DC Phone: (202) 224-2043 DC Phone: (202) 224-2551 DC Fax: (202) 224-7776 Fax: (202) 224-7999

Email Address: Email Address Email Address https://conrad.senate.gov/ http://hoeven.senate.gov/ https://berg.house.gov/contact-me webform.html contact_form.cfm Homepage Homepage: Homepage http://berg.house.gov/ http://conrad.senate.gov/ http://hoeven.senate.gov/

US Federal Building, Room 228 US Federal Building 220 East Rosser Avenue, 328 Federal 220 East Rosser Avenue 220 East Rosser Avenue, Room 312 Building Bismarck, ND 58501 Bismarck, ND 58501 Bismarck, ND 58501 Phone: (701) 258-4648 Phone: (701) 250-4618 Phone: (701) 224-0355 FAX: (701) 258-1254 Fax: (701) 250-4484

US Federal Building, Room 306 1802 32nd Avenue South, Room B 3003 32nd Avenue South, Suite 6 657 Second Avenue North Fargo, ND 58103 Fargo, ND 58103 Fargo, ND 58102 Phone: (701) 239-5389 Phone: (701) 235-9760 Phone: (701) 232-8030 Fax: (701) 239-5112 Fax:(701) 232-6449

33 S 3rd St., Suite 104 Federal Building Grand Forks, ND 58203 102 North Fourth Street, Room 108 Phone: (701) 775-9601 Grand Forks, ND 58203 Fax:(701) 746-1990 Phone: (701) 746-8972

US Federal Building, Room 105 100 First Street SW Minot, ND 58701 Phone: (701) 852-0703 FAX: (701) 838-8196

Our delegates have offices in multiple locations, improving the access for constituents. When you reach out to any of them, you will first speak with their staff. Most often, that is the most reasonable approach. For example, if you want to let the Senators or Representative know your preference on a particular piece of legislation, calling the office and voicing your opinion through a staff member is quite effective. The staff will record the information and pass it along to the office holder. There is no need to have detailed talking points for this call. Your call can be as simple as “I would like him to vote no” with perhaps a small mention of the reason: the bill disregards the needs of women, etc. In a few weeks you will receive a follow up letter from the Senator or Representative sharing his perspective on the issue.

As a constituent you can also request an audience with a Congressman. Because of their busy schedules, it is important to be prepared and concise in your discussions. These meetings require more preparation and details. Meeting with the office holder can be the most influential form of contact, followed by postal letters, then calls and finally email. If you mail a letter to the Washington office, it will take a good length of time to get to him due to the mail sorting process in DC, so plan accordingly.

Being an active participant in the legislative process is really quite simple and effective . Go out there and let your voice be heard. That is how we collectively improve the lives of women. P A G E 4

This is a ONE-DAY Dakota Medical Foundation and other Women’s Network can raise a only community donors want to inspire you to tremendous amount of funding to support opportunity give back by matching your gift to the our mission. If the North Dakota North Dakota Women’s Network . Women’s Network is one of the top to double On Tuesday, February 14, two seven organizations to receive the most your gift! generous individuals, Carla Christofferson in online contributions , we will receive and Melissa Gillett, will match online additional funding from Dakota Medical contributions made to Giving Hearts Foundation! Day participants up to $4,000.00. To make a secure, tax-deductible online Giving Hearts Day is a 24-hour online contribution to the North Dakota fundraising event for Nonprofit Women’s Network and have your Organizations. donation matched, simply go to www.impactgiveback.org on Tuesday, The North Dakota Women’s February 14 and click on the Giving Network has been selected to Hearts Day “Learn More” button. participate in this opportunity and we invite you to give from the heart! On Giving Hearts Day, you can double your charitable gift and Give Back with With your help , the North Dakota Impact!

Search is on For 2012 NDWN Woman of the Year

The North Dakota Women’s Network (NDWN) is searching for an outstanding recipient for its 2012 Woman of the Year award. This is the 6thyear the NDWN has bestowed the award.

“Nominees for the award should be women who have dedicated their time and talents to improve the quality of life for women in North Dakota,” said NDWN Board Chair JoNell Bakke of Grand Forks.

Bakke said that nominees should be leaders and advocates in one or more of the following areas: women’s health and reproductive rights; the support of educational opportunities for women, equal pay for equal work; equal representation in political offices; preventing violence against women and children and the eradication of gender, familial, ethnic, racial and sexual orientation discrimination.

Past recipients include Dr. Ellen Chaffee, Bonnie Palecek, Representative Nancy Johnson, Cheryl Bergian, and Judy DeMers.

Nominees are submitted by NDWN members and allies and the honoree will be selected by the board of directors in March. To submit a nomination, go to www.ndwomen.org to download the nomination form, or email [email protected]. Nominations are due March 1, 2012. The Woman of the Year will be honored at the NDWN 2012 Annual Meeting, which will be held in the fall of 2012.

ND WOMEN’S VOICE VOLUME 6, ISSUE 1 P A G E 5 2011 Opportunities and Advancements for Women By Karen Ryberg The Department of Health and work on a campaign, or seek NDWN Member Human Services adopted appointed office. recommendations from the Institute It is easy to focus on all of the areas of Medicine that preventive care Registration opened for the second in which women need greater coverage for women under the new Ready to Run program to be held in opportunity and better health care law includes birth control February. To register, visit representation. Continually without patient copay or deductible. ndwomen.org or call 701-223-6985. focusing on needed improvements can get discouraging. Annually, For the first time in history, the top Vision 2020 Equality in Sight, a AAUW compiles a list of the year’s positions in the White House national initiative developed by the It is many opportunities and Counsel's Office were all held by Institute for Women's Health and refreshing to advancements for women and girls women. Leadership at Drexel University reflect on to remind us of the good that has College of Medicine to make positive happened. It is refreshing to reflect For the first time, Australia, Brazil, equality a national priority through achievements on positive achievements. To start and Thailand elected women leaders. shared leadership among women for women 2012 on a positive note, here are and men, has a North Dakota and girls. some highlights from the AAUW More items and links to related news component. Stromme and NDWN list and some of the opportunities articles can be found on AAUW’s member Linda Wurtz attended the and advancements in North Dakota web site at http://www.aauw.org/act/ first public meeting in 2010 as in 2011. issue_advocacy/AAUW - g i v e s - delegates representing North thanks.cfm. Dakota and identified a project to The Nobel Peace Prize was jointly continue the work toward equality - awarded to three women, Liberian The following positives from the last that project is Ready to Run. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, year were identified at Feminist First Liberian activist Leymah Gbowee, Friday. Two women have announced they and Yemeni opposition leader are running for the sole North Tawakkul Karman, for their Women Electing Women in the Fargo Dakota seat in the U.S. House of courageous contributions to peace, area is working to identify potential Representatives, Bette Grande, (R) democracy, and international women to ask to run for positions and Pam Gulleson (D). It is women's rights. such as the school board and city gratifying to see women from both commission. The encouragement and parties seeking higher office. If The Department of Justice support of Women Electing Women either were elected, she would be announced the creation of the helps fill the “pipeline” so that we the first woman to hold this office Violence Against Women Federal have women serving in all levels of for North Dakota. and Tribal Prosecution Task Force elected government. in response to the rate of violence One woman announced she is against women and children in Girls now outnumber boys in college. running for U.S. Senator, Heidi Indian tribal communities. Heitkamp. Heitkamp would be the

Senator (D-WA) was The great-great-granddaughter of first woman elected from North appointed chair of the Senate Elizabeth Cady Stanton is still working Dakota to the U.S. Senate. Veterans' Affairs Committee and is for women’s equality and has a North However, she would not be the first the first woman in that Dakota connection and will visit the to serve. When distinguished position. Also, Murray state in 2012! died in office, his wife Jocelyn co-chairs and is the only woman on Burdick was appointed to serve until the deficit reduction "super Many of us have wonderful husbands Kent Conrad was elected to committee." who are not tied to traditional roles. complete the term. They cook, clean, care for children, Girls won the top awards at and are fine with wives and children Finally, in 2011 NDWN recognized Google's inaugural science fair in all not having the same last name. Judy DeMers as Woman of the Year three age groups. Men and women for her many achievements. More in science and education across the The first Ready to Run program, about DeMers can be found in our country took note of this and the sponsored by NDWN, was held this Summer 2011 newsletter, http:// girls were congratulated by fall to train women to run for office, www.ndwomen.org/image/cache/ President Obama. Newsletter_Summer_2011.pdf. P A G E 6

Upcoming Event

Ready to Run - North Dakota

02/03/2012 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM at Bismarck State College

Ready to Run™ is a bi-partisan program for women who want to run for office, seek higher office, work on a campaign, get appointed to office, or learn more about the political system.

Register ONLINE at www.ndwomen.org or call 701-223-6985

Ready to Run™ is your one-stop training on running for office or getting involved in The North public life. You will learn from prominent elected and appointed leaders, campaign con- Dakota sultants, party officials, and policy experts. Women’s Network is made possible through the generous 11 Lessons from Judy DeMers support of the In her acceptance speech of the should be striving to know NDWN 2011 Woman of the Year more. Chambers award, former state Senator Judy 7. Blow up a bridge only if Family Fund and DeMers Shared 11 lessons. We you're sure you will never member share them with you here. need to cross there again. It support. is really tempting to tell As I said in my acceptance speech, someone off or where they I wanted to give something to all can go or what you really in the audience in return and think, but, in the long decided to quickly share with you run, you need compromise 11 lessons I learned in Bismarck, and goodwill more. but which I view as equally 4. You have to get off the porch 8. There is no advantage to important in almost any life to run with the big dogs. That being a wallflower. This is undertaking. is, sitting home and pretty similar to lesson #4--- complaining doesn't get the ie, get involved. 1. You can get a lot by giving a job done. You have to get 9. If you have little. This lesson stresses the involved. expertise...... share it! importance of compromise. 5. Occasionally other people 10. If you need expertise.....seek 2. A lot of what you can really do know what is better it out.(Lessons 9 and 10 are accomplish does depend on for you than you know the two sides of the same who you know. That is, yourself. So, listen to them, coin) "relationships are the analyze, and consider. 11. Wear your cause like a badge currency" and networking is 6. Knowledge helps to build of honor. That is, if you critical to success. bridges. We need to believe we need increased 3. Politicians pay attention to continue to expand both our funding for research or numbers and so do depth and breadth of scholarships, or whatever, let administrators. Doing you knowledge. You always it be known loud and clear. homework and having the data is important.

ND WOMEN’S VOICE VOLUME 6, ISSUE 1 P A G E 7 Recognizing Generous Membership Donations

Membership is a must-have ingredient of NDWN’s recipe for success. So, in an effort to enhance our membership contributions, you will notice that we have added new levels of support.

We now offer a MOVER, a SHAKER and an EQUALITY MAKER level of membership. BOARD OF Every membership dollar our organization receives is greatly appreciated. These funds empower our D I R E C T O R S goal to strengthen equality. Please consider the level that best fits your ability to give and know that you are “Promoting Equality” with the North Dakota Women’s Network. JoNell Bakke Co-Chair We also offer the opportunity for automatic monthly contributions. Call the office to sign up! Grand Forks

The North Dakota Women’s Network is grateful to this list of members who embraced the new Melissa Gillett program and increased their giving above the general membership level. Vice-Chair Tolna

MOVERS —$31-$199 Pam Gulleson Kathi Osteen Judith Benson Ziegler Kathy Hawken Secretary/ Audrey Boe Olsen Maureen Kelly Jonason Treasurer Audrey Cleary Nancy Kleingartner Mandan Patricia Nelson Dorothy Lick Amy Fisher JoNell Bakke Mary Markland Buxton Margine Holland Jane Sinner Arlys Netland Sylvia Morgan Jessica Haak Jessica Haak Renee Stromme Jamestown Jane Opdahl Bonnie Palecek Charlene R. Reiswig April Fairfield Amy Jacobson Kara Geiger Ellen Chaffee Fargo Sherryl Houdek Kara Gravely-Stack Ellen Linderman Nancy Miller SHAKERS —$200-$499 Bismarck Elaine Lindgren Char McLaughlin Corinne Lee Mary Mitchell Betty Mills JoAnn Brager Bismarck Kjersten Nelson Nancy Jo Johnson Laura Oster-Aaland Lynette Wold Aruna Seth Doreen Riedman Nancy Guy Bismarck Karen Ryberg Arlette Preston Melissa Gillett Melissa Sobolik Renee Stromme Joan Stromme EQUALITY MAKERS —over $500 Executive LaVetta Syverson Director Joan Frankson Michelle East Bismarck Dorette Kerian Marlowe Kro Cheryl Bergian Rose Stoller Mary Mitchell Janis Cheney Michelle Forde Connie Hildebrand Kathi Osteen Susan Rae Helgeland Cynthia Kaldor Laura Forde North Dakota Women’s Network 1120 College Dr, Suite 100 Bismarck, ND 58503 Phone: (701) 223-6985 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ndwomen.org

Return Service Requested

NDWN Membership Information

Name: ______Organization (if applicable): ______Address: ______City: ______State: __ Zip: ______Telephone: ______Email: ______

Individual membership: ___$10 Student Membership ___$30 Standard Individual Membership ___$31-$199 MOVER Level Membership ___$200-$499 SHAKER Level Membership ___$500+ EQUALITY MAKER Level Membership ___A financial contribution isn’t possible at this time but count me as a member.

Organization membership (based on operating budget): ___ $100 for a budget under $100,000 ___ $150 for a budget between $100,000 and $500,000 ___ $200 for a budget over $500,000

Your membership contribution to NDWN: $ ______Additional donation to NDWN: $ ______Total enclosed: $ ______

I support the mission of the North Dakota Women’s Network and commit to the common purposes of NDWN to achieve full equality for women.

Signature: ______Date: ______

Make checks payable to North Dakota Women’s Network . Memberships are requested on an annual basis. Send to: North Dakota Women’s Network 1120 College Dr, Suite 100 Bismarck, ND 58501