Spring 2012 - St. Cloud State University

Women on Wednesday
Spring 2012
Wednesday’s, Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Atwood Theatre, Atwood Memorial Center

A MEMBER OF THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES
AND UNIVERSITIES SYSTEM
St. Cloud State University values diversity of all kinds, including but not limited to race, religion and
ethnicity (full statement at http://goo.gl/fJv7O). TTY: 1-800-627-3529 St. Cloud State University is an
affirmative action/equal opportunity educator and employer. This material can be made available in an
alternative format. Contact the department/agency listed above.

St. Cloud State University
520 5th Ave S
St. Cloud, MN 56301
Email: womenscenter@stcloudstate.edu
Web site: http://www.stcloudstate.edu/womenscenter
Phone: (320) 308-4958
Fax: (320) 308-6408

Women on Wednesday
Spring 2012
Wednesday’s, Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Atwood Theatre, Atwood Memorial Center
Race, class, gender, sexuality, age, marital/relationship status, ability/disability,
ethnicity, child full or child free, religious background, citizenship status and
more are the areas that will be explored during this series on women’s multiple
identities. Our speakers will be voicing the complexities and richness of their
lives as women in contemporary U.S. culture, as well as the contradictions and
challenges that come from living in multiple worlds. The purpose of this series
is to give visibility to and explore the rich layers of women’s multiple identities
and how these intersections shape their lived experiences and perceptions. Join
us each week to meet empowering, interesting and inspiring women willing to
share themselves and their areas of expertise.

February 1
Reproductive Rights: The continuing journey to justice
In the reproductive justice realm, the experience of women of color and older women, (those who faced life before
legal abortion and access to birth control) has been difficult and, at times, highly discriminatory. Further, at some
point in the vast majority of women’s lives (98%), there is a need for birth control and other reproductive health
services regardless of race, class, disability and age. Join this diverse panel of presenters who will be discussing
current issues of reproductive rights and of life before Roe v. Wade.
Presenters:
Charlotte Fisher is a retired nurse from the St. Cloud community. She graduated from St. Mary’s Hospital in
Minneapolis with a nursing degree in 1951. Fisher went to work at General Hospital, now Hennepin County
Medical Center, on a gynecology floor where she cared for women who had self-induced or illegal abortions.
After moving to St. Cloud, she worked at numerous sites including the Family Planning Center.
Icephine Johnson is a Nurse Practitioner at SCSU Health Services. She is certified as both an Adult and
Gynecological/Reproductive Health Nurse Practitioner and has over 30 years of experience in a variety of
settings, including a large urban hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center and
the State of Minnesota. Johnson is one of the trailblazers in the Nurse Practitioner profession who graduated from
Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. She is a graduate of Webster University in Webster Grove,
Missouri with a degree in Nursing.
Rita Molestina is the Community Education Programs Manager at Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North
Dakota, South Dakota. After graduating from Occidental College in Los Angeles with a BA in Psychology,

she returned to her home town and worked for UC San Francisco New Generation Health Center providing
adolescent and young adult family planning counseling, facilitating comprehensive sexual health education
programming, and assisting the university in research efforts. Molestina entered the School of Social Welfare’s
Masters program at UC Berkeley, where she specialized in Children and Family Services as well as school
social work, earning a Pupil Personnel Services Credential. After finishing her graduate degree and moving
to Minnesota, Molestina returned to the field of reproductive health and justice. At Planned Parenthood, she
manages Latino sexual health programs in school and community center environments and will soon join the
Marketing and Outreach team of Planned Parenthood, focusing on the St. Cloud area.

February 8
The Lives of Two Women with Disabilities
Women with disabilities remain largely invisible, and are often assumed to be asexual, incapable of mothering
and unemployed. In addition to the often unspoken prejudices, women with disabilities, at a minimum, face the
double injustice of sexism and ableism, coupled with the reality that discrimination worsens when one’s race, class
and sexual orientation also exist in the margins. Despite the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, revised in
2009, which sought to end discrimination against people with disabilities, discrimination and prejudice remain
prevalent. Join us to hear two unique perspectives and ways you can support social change.
Presenters:
Nikki Jagodzinski is a graduate student at St. Cloud State University in the College Counseling and Student
Development program and a graduate assistant at the Women’s Center. She was diagnosed with Juvenile
Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of two. Nikki has her undergraduate degree in Occupational Therapy and
several years of experience working with people with disabilities. She was recently selected to receive a $10,000
scholarship from the UCB Rheumatoid Arthritis Family scholarship program. This program received over 600
applicants and recognized 30 students nationwide who demonstrate educational success, promise and ability to
live beyond the limitations of Rheumatoid Arthritis. She is married and the proud mother of two daughters.
Brittanie Hernandez-Wilson is a student at St. Cloud State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in
Communication Studies. As a member of the disability community, she strives to help educate and increase
awareness on campus about the many issues impacting people with disabilities. In addition to being a feminist,
Wilson is also a member of the LGBT community and is a co-chair of the LGBT Alliance student organization.

February 15
LgBTQ Panel
LGBTQ individuals often struggle to negotiate their identities both within the dominant culture and within the
LGBTQ community. There are often contradictory expectations and norms in these communities, requiring skill to
navigate the two worlds, including making choices about how to present one’s gender, what level of activism to
engage in, and even scripts for dating. Panelists will discuss a variety of issues such as gender performance, the
distinction between gender and sexual orientation, and the complexities of living with intersecting identities.
Presenters:
Kayla Lubbers is a senior at St. Cloud State University majoring in Communication Studies with a minor
in Human Relations and Multicultural Education. She is a self-described queer activist, passionate about
changing the world. Lubbers has volunteered and worked at the LGBT Resource Center since 2006, served in
leadership capacities in OUTLOUD!, a student activist group on campus, and worked in collaboration with other
organizations to make positive change at and beyond SCSU.
Dao Vang is a Hmong student at St. Cloud State University majoring in Social Work who identifies as gay and
as a drag queen. Through the SCSU LGBT Resource Center, he found community and learned about drag, an art
form expressed through transforming from male to female via entertaining and educational performance.
Trevor Johnson is in his last semester of studies at St Cloud State University and will be graduating with a
bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Leadership and Organization, plus a minor
in Computer Science. He identifies as transgender and has been volunteering at the LGBT Resource Center for
several years. Johnson has also been involved with two student organizations, Outloud! and the GLBT Alliance,
and is currently serving as the Chair of Outloud!’s highly popular Drag Show.

February 22
API Women’s Activism
Leadership and activism define the commitment and character of the local chapter of the National Asian Pacific
American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) in the St. Cloud area, one of only 12 chapters in the nation. Members
of NAPAWF recently returned from Washington, DC after a weekend of lobbying and learning about the efforts
and priorities of the National office and other local chapters. NAPAWF is the only national, multi-issue Asian and
Pacific Islander (API) women’s organization in the country. Their mission “to build a movement to advance social
justice and human rights for API women and girls” is expressed in the efforts of members of the St. Cloud chapter.
Presenters:
Kyoko Kishimoto is an associate professor in the Department of Ethnic and Women’s Studies at St. Cloud
State University and directs the Asian Pacific American Studies Minor. She is also the Interim Director of the
Multicultural Resource Center at SCSU. Her involvement in NAPAWF has been extensive and includes serving as
the Chapter Chair, as a teen mentor for NAPAWF sisters, as a workshop facilitator for the bi-annual Teen Retreat,
and participating in chapter retreats and events. In addition, Kishimoto attended the national immigration march,
volunteered at the Dragon Festival and served as the faculty advisor for seven years of Asian Students In Action,
(A.S.I.A.), an activist student organization at SCSU.
Hedy Tripp is an activist, educator, consultant and member of the St. Cloud chapter of the National Asian
Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF). She is an instructor in the Department of Ethnic and Women’s
Studies at St. Cloud State University, and founder and consultant of W-Isms, LLC. Tripp has also been the recipient
of numerous public service awards including the Virginia McKnight Binger Awards in Human Service.

Azania C. Tripp is a junior at the University of Minnesota majoring in Youth studies. She is also the Chair
of the NAPAWF, St.Cloud chapter. Recently she finished a semester program called HECUA (Higher Education
Consortium for Urban Affairs) Writing for Social Change working with youth in the St. Paul area.

February 29
Religious Traditions and Gender
The influence of religion in the lives of women and girls is one of the most highly studied, provocative and
controversial issues in the field of women’s studies—and in women’s daily experience. Three women have been
invited to speak from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths about the role of religion in women lives. The
purpose is to support a discussion on the ways that religion, from various spiritual traditions, shape and give
meaning--and challenge--to women’s lived experiences.
Presenters:
Phyllis Greenberg, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Gerontology at
SCSU. She is a member of the Women’s Studies Advisory Board and St. Cloud Area Jewish Community Executive
Board. Greenberg guests lectures on issues related to Antisemitism, Older Women, Diversity, Policy and Social
Justice. She was named the 2011 Outstanding Gerontologist by the Minnesota Gerontological Society.
Meyran Omar was born and raised in Somalia with a Muslim upbringing. She studied Quran, hadeeth, and
many of the Islamic scholarly books, as well as the bible and torah of the Christian and Jewish faiths. Omar
came to the United States in 2002 and chose St. Cloud as her home. She knew the languages Somali, Dutch,
German, Arabic, Italian, and some French, but little English. Omar began her studies in basic ESL at St. Cloud
State University, earned a BAS in Public Health and is currently pursuing a master’s degree. She is the Cultural
Outreach Specialist for CentraCare, helping to educate Somali women about birth and pregnancy.
The Rev. Jayne M. Thompson serves as the campus and congregation pastor at University Lutheran Church
of the Epiphany and Lutheran Campus Ministry of the ELCA. Ordained in 1983, she has served congregations
and campus ministries with a passion for young adults, justice for all people and interfaith conversations that

ing people of faith together. Thompson serves as an SCSU Aikido instructor, holding a 4th degree black belt
in the art. Aikido is a martial art dedicated to non-violent resolution to conflict and aggression. She also has a
MA in Theatre, is a Registered Drama Therapist, and loves singing, playing the guitar, biking, sailing and many
outdoor activities.

March 14
Competing Identities
We live in a very “black and white,” either/or society. Consequently, it is not surprising that diverse women,
including women of color, are pressured to choose between identities, versus being supported to holistically
integrate their desire to struggle against all forms of injustice affecting their lives. In addition to choosing how to
define themselves (for example, as a woman or as a person of color) is the conflict about which oppression to put
first. In this often silent struggle, women of color and other diverse women are forced to diminish fundamental
parts of their identity. This session gives voice to real women who struggle with the contradictions and challenges
required by society’s identity markers as mutually exclusive categories.
Presenters:
Mariesther Flores is a Chicana feminist and a senior at St. Cloud State University majoring in Sociology,
with a minor in Women’s Studies. She currently serves as a co-chair for Movimiento Estudiantil Chican@ de
Aztlan (M.E.Ch.A) de SCSU, NMCC for Tierra Mid-Atl M.E.Ch.A region, and Secretary/Treasurer for National
M.E.Ch.A. Flores has a passion for social, gender, environmental, and queer issues.
Tiara Stevenson will be graduating in May 2012 with a B.S. in Community Psychology and a minor in African
American Studies. She is the current secretary for the Council of African American Students (CAAS). Stevenson
will be attending Stout University in the fall to pursue a M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy as preparation for
establishing her own practice in a low-income, minority community.

March 21
Voices Merging: Expressions of Intersecting Identities
Voices Merging (VM) is a multicultural student-based artist coalition dedicated to providing venues, workshops
and comfortable atmosphere for all types of artists. Founded in 2002 at the University of Minnesota, VM has
grown to be a driving force not only for young performance artists but has also continued a tradition of spoken
word in Minnesota. Voices Merging unites students regardless of ethnicity, age, or differences and encourages the
love of spoken word and the performing arts.
Three young women from this group will perform original pieces that cover the broad array of issues affecting
their lives, including gender, class, culture, location, history, education, activism and more. Included with the
performance will be time for question and response.

March 28
One Transgendered Woman’s Story
There’s no doubt that Gina Marie Bernard has a strong, courageous heart! Since her childhood, she knew she
was different – she wanted to be a girl. As a man, Gina was Greg. Greg got married shortly out of high school,
and privately shared his true identity with his wife, who struggled but did support Greg’s gradual transition. They
had two children, but eventually divorced. Bernard’s transition from he too she has been complex in every arena
of life from family, to personal life to career. As a high school teacher, she was supported by the school district but
faced serious criticism by some parents and students. In spite of these challenges, Bernard openly discussed her
transition once with her students, after which she was just “an English teacher.” She advocates not only for other
transgendered individuals, but for all marginalized groups. Join us to hear the joys, courage and challenges of
her journey.
Presenter:
Gina Marie Bernard is an English teacher at Bemidji High School, where she teaches AP literature and
college American literature courses. She is a blocker for the Babe City Rollers, Bemidji’s flat-track roller
derby league. Her alter ego is Wicked Vixen! Bernard is also the proud parent of two incredibly smart and
astonishingly beautiful daughters, Maddie Elizabeth and Parker Diana. She is a published novelist, poet, and
short fiction writer, and has trained for and completed six marathons.

April 4
Queer Women of Color
Queer women of color face, at a minimum, racism and homophobia on a regular basis. The intersection of these
identities presents several challenging issues. Homophobia often exists within communities of color, in addition to
mainstream discrimination. Many queer women of color may have first or second generation immigrant family
members, creating additional and sometimes, tense cultural contradictions. Queer women of color are also faced
with the unique problem of inadequate networking, as very few spaces exist for queer women of color, especially
for specific groups of women of color. What are the strategies queer women of color employ to access and/or
create the spaces needed for personal and professional growth and activism for social change?
Presenters:
Anitra D. Cottledge is the Assistant Director of the Women’s Center at the University of Minnesota, where her
responsibilities include coordinating the Center’s student initiatives, as well as developing and facilitating trainings
and workshops on women’s leadership, feminism(s), and intersecting identities. She earned her master’s degree
from the University of Minnesota in educational policy and administration, with a research focus on women of
color in higher education administrative leadership. Cottledge is also an instructor in the University’s Leadership
Minor, and her writing has appeared in the anthology, Click: When We Knew We Were Feminists (2010).
Veronica Mora is a Queer Xicana Muxerista and is a 4th year student at St. Cloud State University majoring
in Education. She is currently the co-chair for Movimiento Estudiantil Chican@ de Aztlan (M.E.Ch.A) and Queer
People of Color (QPOC). She has presented at the Minnesota Network of Latinos in Higher Education Summit,
National M.E.Ch.A. conference, the Power in Diversity Leadership Conference, and at SCSU on the issues LGBTQ
people of color face and ways to become more inclusive. Mora co-founded QPOC in the spring of 2011 after
feeling and seeing the need for a safe space for LGBTQ people of color.

Xay Yang is an Inter-College Program (ICP) major at the University of Minnesota, focusing on Social Justice,
Graphic Design and Youth Studies. She was on the Leadership Cohort 2010 for Shades of Yellow. Yang currently
sits on the board of the Asian Sorority Interest Group as the co-public relations chair and former vice president.
She is presently a recipient of the PFund Scholarship and currently works at the GLBTA Programs Office at the
University of Minnesota as an undergraduate intern.

April 11
The Garden of Truth Report: Native women speak their truths
Native women suffer rape, child sexual abuse, domestic violence and sex trafficking at three times the rates of
non-native women, an outrageous circumstance linked to colonization, poverty and racism. The pervasiveness of
the problem, coupled with Minnesota’s native women’s leadership, led the Women’s Center to invite two of the five
authors of a groundbreaking research report entitled, Garden of Truth: The Prostitution and Trafficking of Native
Women in Minnesota.
A sampling of findings from interviews with 105 native women include:
• Seventy-nine percent had been sexually abused as children by an average of four perpetrators.
• Ninety-two percent had been raped.
• Forty-eight percent had been used by more than 200 sex buyers. Sixteen percent had been used by at least
900 sex buyers.
• Eighty-four percent had been physically assaulted in prostitution.
• Ninety-eight percent were currently or previously homeless.
• Racism was an emotionally damaging element in these women’s lives and a source of ongoing
stress.
Presenters:
Nicole Matthews is a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, and is the Executive Director for Minnesota
Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition (MIWSAC). She was hired in March 2002 as the Coalition Coordinator
after funding was made available to establish Tribal Coalitions to address sexual assault and domestic violence
in Indian Country. Prior to her position at MIWSAC, Matthews worked in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota as the
Sexual Assault Services Coordinator for Pearl Crisis Center. She has spoken at numerous conferences on both

the statewide and national levels about sexual violence and domestic assault. Matthews received her Bachelor
of Science degree from St. Cloud State University in Applied Psychology, with a minor in Human Relations and
Multicultural Education. She is the proud mother of three beautiful children; Jazmin, Kiora, and Kionte. They give
her the strength and motivation to continue working to end violence perpetrated against women and children.
Guadalupe Lopez is the Membership and Outreach Coordinator at the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual
Assault Coalition and a member of the Leech Lake Ojibwe. She has been the Membership and Outreach
Coordinator for nearly two years and is also a Volunteer Sexual Assault Advocate for Sexual Offense Services in
Ramsey County and Okiciyapi in Granite Falls. Prior to employment with the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual
Assault Coalition, Lopez worked for Women of Nations in St. Paul, advocating on behalf of battered women.
In commemoration of American Indian Awareness Week and National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Co-sponsored by the SCSU American Indian Center