Minnesota Women’s Press, November 2012 1 Changing the Universe through Women’s Stories A woman’s survival kit issue NICOLE HOUFF NICOLE The Grief Feminist Justice The unPrison Homeless Project survival kit tour Project no more NOVEMBER 2012 Volume 28, Issue 11 www.womenspress.com 2 Minnesota Women’s Press, November 2012 Join in November “Siempre nos sentimos $ bienvenidos en el 100 off YWCA, y a mi hijo le the Joiners Fee encanta el Kidzone.” Plus, come in 12x during “I always feel welcome the first month and get at the YWCA and my $25 off any service. son loves the Kidzone.” Good on new adult and family memberships. Some restrictions apply. Offer ends November 30, 2012. -Orlando, member since 2009. www.ywcampls.org Minnesota Women’s Press, November 2012 3 Changing the Universe through Women’s Stories 8 10 Survival kit issue ContaCtus 651-646-3968 email: [email protected] www.womenspress.com send a letter to the editor [email protected] subscribe [email protected] 22 advertise [email protected] suggest a story idea [email protected] enter your online calendar listing at www.womenspress.com, click on Calendar, then “add event” Join book activities [email protected] 25 mWpstaFF publishers/editors Kathy Magnuson, Norma Smith olson Contributors Mary DesJarlais, Shannon Drury, Jennifer Features Godinez, Mikki Morrissette, Susan Niz, thinkaboutit ....................................6 amber Procaccini, amy Rogers, Robyn Married at age 5 ... & more to consider Schein, Michele St. Martin readers’Write proFilE .................................................8 Cover artist Nicole Houff youSaiD .................................................5 Deborah Jiang Stein’s unPrison Project design Norma Smith olson Letters from our readers advertising sales Michele Holzwarth, survivalFEatuRE ...........................10 BookSHElF .........................................12 Nancy Jambor, Kathy Magnuson The Grief Project accounting Kathy Malchow, Jenna Bootleg survival story holidayFEatuRE ............................. 31 Ellwanger onYouRmind ..................................... 17 Get creative with family photos operations Faye Kommedahl, Kari larson Susan Niz: Homeless no more Founding publishers Mollie Hoben, Columnists Glenda Martin yourStoRY........................................ 27 WelComeWoRDS ................................4 I WAS a victim, I AM a survivor Our mission is to tell women’s stories in ways Girls rule! Really? yourtHouGHtS ............................... 32 that create community and encourage change. leaderVoiCE .....................................15 MWP readers share survival stories The Minnesota Women’s Press is distributed Gen X & Gen Y philanthropists free at 500 locations. To find one near you, vis- onYouRmind .................................... 34 it www.womenspress.com and click on “get a sheSaiD ............................................... 16 Am I safe in rural Minnesota? copy” or call 651-646-3968. Subscriptions are Shannon Drury’s feminist survival kit available by First Class mail: $52 for one-year leaderVoiCE .....................................19 advertisinGseCtions Fan Community membership (includes email Racial equity & excellence in education GirlFriends’ updates, invitation to community gathering, aCtNoW .............................................. 38 GuiDEto free copy of BookWomen magazine); $28 for a GiViNG ..................13 The system through a victim’s eyes basic one-year subscription, $53 for two years. eduCation GuiDE ...................18 ©2012 by Minnesota Women’s Press, Inc. Goseedo All rights reserved. ISSN #1085-2603. CoveraRtiSt .................................... 22 GoSEEdo GuiDE .................. 24 MINNESOTA WOMEN’S PRESS, INC. Nicole Houff: Barbie as a survivor 970 RAYMOND AVE., STE. 201, holidayGuiDE ............................. 28 ST. PAUL, MN 55114 eventsCalENDaR .......................... 24 ClassiFiedaDS........................... 34 WWW.WOMENSPRESS.COM “I am doing the best I can” ... and more 4 Minnesota Women’s Press, November 2012 Thisissue kAThYMAGNusON Girls rule! NORMAsMiThOLsON The “Girls Rule!” slogan might be cute on a T-shirt we give to our daugh- ters and nieces, but—really? When we look at the percentages of women in elected office it’s just not true. In Minnesota, women make up 32 per- tality and look to diverse views and styles cent of the state Legislature and 27 per- as a way forward. cent of city council seats, are 15 percent When we see the polarization of our of mayors and 11 percent of county com- public discourse, as witnessed during missioners, according to statistics from the campaign season, it is clear that more WomenWinning, a local organization sup- qualities traditionally thought of as femi- porting pro-choice women running for nine could be used. What if our culture public office. saw strength in inclusivity, empathy and Coming up: Another familiar phrase we hear this collaboration? What if our leaders were election season is “Vote as if your life admired for their sensitivity, understand- December is our annual Changemakers issue. What would depended on it.” It ing and listening skills? you like to see changed for women “Do you think I’m does. Look at the We are issuing an invitation to men to issues of pay equity, come to the table with women in equal or girls? Tell us about it. Send a paragraph or two to weak? It takes reproductive health, numbers and equal voice. And, a challenge [email protected] access to education to women to come to that table as well. real strength to Deadline: November 10 and other concerns When women run for office, they win at say that you that impact women the same rates as men. More women needDecember Advertising Sections: need help.” and girls. Our fore- to run in order to have more women at the • Holiday Guide mothers went to table. Now is the time to get started for the • Spirituality Guide —Deborah Jiang Stein prison and held hun- next election. • GoSeeDo Guide see Profile story on ger strikes for our Author Marianne Williamson talks Deadline: November 10 page 8. right to vote. Do aboutit a world where we all see ourselves January’s theme is the Power Nov. 6—and bring as parents—and our children are all the of Intentions. What are your two others with you. children. She challenges us to all be home- intentions for the new year? This issue of the Women’s Press goesmakers to and see the world as our home. Tell us about it. Send a paragraph press before the election. But whatever the or two to [email protected] outcomes—our message is the same: OurWhat’s in your “survival kit?” What’s work of making this world a better place your survival story? We posed these Deadline: December 10 for women and girls isn’t done. questions to our readers this month and January Advertising Sections: And really—it’s not that the “girls” need based on the overwhelming number of • Camp & Activities Guide to rule over the rest of society. That would responses, you are skilled survivors! • Education & Lifelong Learning be using a stereotypically male model of Women are strong and resourceful. And, Guide power. What’s needed is girls and boys, we can use our vote. • Girlfriends’ Guide to the New Year women and men ruling together. Let’s get • GoSeeDo Guide rid of the winner or loser, either/or men- and Deadline: December 10 Co-Publishers PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS We defend NURSES, DOCTORS Elizabeth Ramsey and other PROFESSIONALS Hasselman, DDS before their licensing boards. Lesley C. Knox, DDS DON’T GO IT ALONE Alice M. Ottavi, DDS WE KNOW HOW TO HELP Adele Della Torre, DDS Free Phone Consult Call 612-333-LORD (5673) Attorney Priscilla Lord Faris 2232 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis 612-377-6108 www.lordandfaris.com www.adtdental.com www.facebook.com/adtdental 28-11 Minnesota Women’s Press, November 2012 5 Yousaid Mastel’s Visual storyteller Health Foods Thank you for covering the fine arts in the Minnesota Women’s Holistic Feline 10% Off Your Press. Minnesota artists need all the support they can get; you’re Practice doing a great service to our community. And you made a great Entire Order choice—Tina’s not only an excellent painter but a role model for Offering Blend Of (Juicers, special offers and any sale items women and artists. [Tina Blondell, CoverArtist, MWP, Oct. 2012] Eastern & Western Medicine Kim Matthews, Minneapolis not included) out in rural Minnesota (651) 429-4153 One coupon per customer GotaNoPiNioN? Expires 11/30/12 Wow—these two ladies really Like something in Dr. Susan Swanson 1526 St. Clair Ave., St. Paul impress me! [Jessi Tebben and MWP? or disagree? 1524 Mahtomedi (2 blocks E. of Snelling) Ashley Schuman, Profile, MWP, We want to hear from Mahtomedi, MN 651-690-1692 Oct. 2012] I always wonder what you. Write to editor@ 28-11 life is like for GLBT couples in rural womenspress.com. Nov 2012, 28-11 areas. It sounds like they are giv- Include your name, ing their kids a wonderful second address and phone chance at having a good life—with number for verification. supportive and understanding par- Letters are assumed to ents who couldn’t be more qualified be for publication and for the job. Thank you Women’s may be edited for length Press for including this story. and clarity. Molly Stern, Minneapolis How do you have cancer? Thank you for your wisdom and courage. [Deanna Thompson, YourStory, MWP, Oct. 2012] With a new cancer diagnosis in the family, we have been discussing how to talk about and support our loved one. Your open and sensitive sharing is most helpful. Karen Lohn, Grand