By Carly Fishbeck and Alexa Chihosstaff writers

• Candidates bow out of event

Students lit up over smoking ban

St. Catherine University student newspaper

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Not up for debate

Associate Dean for Students and Multicultural Education Wachen Anderson said that TPT was instrumental in the event setup and in planning for possible complications.

“We worked with TPT in the planning process, but at the point of one candidate’s decline, our contract with them became void,” Political Science Club Vice President and sophomore Christina Paetzel said.

Since its inception last fall, the SCU Political Science Club has been continuously working to hold a debate on campus. Anderson said the club came to the SCU administration about a year and a half ago to request holding a debate and begin planning. SCU Student Senate was supportive of the gubernatorial debate happening on campus.

“Senate was involved in more of a supportive manner. The Political Science Club came in and talked to Senate about their event and asked for volunteers,” Senate President and sophomore Nelum Mandanayake said.

After Emmer and Dayton’s respective cancellations, some students questioned whether the reversal had anything to do with the same policy involved in preventing Hillary Clinton and Bay Buchanan from speaking at SCU in 2008.

At that time, SCU, then the College of St. Catherine, declined separate requests

By Tréza Rosado and Rachel Armstrong, with reporting by Kate Fuller

• New policy prohibits all tobacco use on SCU campus

St. Catherine University (SCU)clubs and organizations worked feverishly to prepare the SCU community an upcoming gubernatorial debate between candidates Tom Emmer, Mark Dayton, and Tom Horner. However, these groups chose to cancel the well-publicized debate after two candidates opted out.

Less than one week before the debate was scheduled to take place, Republican candidate Tom Emmer turned down his invitation to participate, which he had previously accepted. However, SCU administration and the Political Science Club remained committed to having the remaining two candidates participate in the debate.

On Sept 27, Democratic candidate Mark Dayton dropped out of the debate upon learning that Emmer had declined. This left Independent Party candidate Tom Horner the only remaining candidate, which put the entire event in jeopardy.

Since two of the three political candidates declined involvement in the debate, the Political Science Club, with the help of the club’s advisors, chose to cancel the debate altogether.

Also relevant to their decision was the Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) station, which was scheduled to film and broadcast the debate.

to have these women speak on campus. The administration declined them as guest speakers based on the Political Activity Policy found in LeGuide.

This policy requires that in the case of a political event, the views expressed are from all sides of the issue, and SCU may not in any way endorse one candidate or political stance.

“The policy was written so that the University follows guidelines for being a 501c3 (non-profit organization). The policy also follows with the University’s social justice mission,” Assistant Director of the Student Center and Activities Cara Sheaffer said.

With regard to political debates, the policy states, “Candidates for public office may be invited to, or may seek permission to visit, the campus to make public appearances in connection with their campaigns. If a candidate uses a campus visit as an occasion to make a campaign speech, the campus organization hosting the event should make it clear that the institution does not support or oppose the candidate in all promotional materials related to the event.”

Sheaffer added that in the case of this gubernatorial debate, every candidate would not need to be present, but their views would need to be represented.

Before Dayton declined the invitation, the Political Science Club considered developing a slide show presentation of Emmer’s main points to represent his views at the debate. Paetzel stated that the neutrality policy did not affect the debate.

“The event was cancelled because two of the three invited candidates were no longer confirmed to attend,” Paetzel said.

In a statement about why Emmer could not attend, Emmer’s press secretary Chris Van Guilder said, “We appreciate [SCU’s] willingness to host a debate to allow their students, faculty, and staff the opportunity

to hear from the candidates. Unfortunately, we were unable to make this engagement work with our schedule, as we had previously arranged plans for Tom to spend the entire day travelling in West Central Minnesota.”

Dayton’s deputy campaign manager Katharine Tinucci said, “We are disappointed that the debate is not taking place at [SCU], but are looking forward to more opportunities to debate between all three candidates.”

Similarly, Horner’s press secretary Matt Lewis said, “The inevitability is that all three candidates will be forced to miss or cancel opportunities due to conflicts.”

Many students and faculty have expressed their disappointment about the debate’s cancellation. Mandanayake explained the importance of the debate to the SCU community and the diverse body of people the debate would have reached.

“We are not simply a group of 18 to 23-year-old people who are politically charged in the ‘college student’ way, but rather our student body is made up of people of many ages, many ethnicities, and many interests and lifestyles,” Mandanayake said.

Anderson said that the cancellation was especially devastating for the students involved in organizing the event due to the amount of time, personal energy, and resources that went into planning.

While the gubernatorial debate will not occur on the SCU campus this year, Political Science Club President and junior Kaley Taffe said that the Club will continue working to bring political candidates to the SCU community for future debates.

Carly can be reached atcrfischbeck@stkate.eduAlexa can be reached atanchihos@stkate.edu

Students arrived on campus this fall to St. Catherine University’s (SCU) newly instated smoking ban. The ban, which went into effect Sep. 1, prohibits all tobacco use on campus grounds. This measure comes as part of an initiative to create a healthier campus and follows a similar ban on the Minneapolis campus, which went into effect in August of 2008.

The initiative began in 2007 by the Tobacco-Free Committee co-chaired by Dr. Amy Kelly, Director of Health and Wellness and Susan Sexton, Director of Human Resources.

Previously, student smokers were able to use smoking stations located outside the entrances of most major buildings on campus. However, as the stations were placed in high traffic areas, there were complaints about the volume of second-hand smoke outside the buildings.

The ban has provoked strong reactions from both sides of the issue. Junior Kaitlin Kramer is a non-smoker who supports the ban. In reference to years past, she said, “I think it’s really gross that I have to walk behind big puffs of smoke and hold my breath on the way to class.” �

However, some smokers and non-smokers alike think think the ban oversteps its bounds. Junior Cassie Jorgensen is a non-smoker who felt relatively unaffected by smoking on campus.

“[I] never ran into situations where smoking on campus bothered me, and smokers that I did encounter were always conscious of me as a non-smoker and made sure smoke

wasn’t directed towards me.” First-year Leah Matz, a smoker, believes

the measure goes too far. “We’re adults and it feels a lot like a high

school situation, like we have to go hide to smoke a cigarette...We’re not contagious, we’re not dangerous people.”

The ban has also led to large numbers of SCU students smoking just beyond the gates, directly opposite residential homes.

Senior Brianna Berg and her sister Cassandra Berg, junior, are particularly outspoken about this issue. �

“I think that the ban was a great idea, but I don�t think it was fully thought out. I don�t know if they considered the image it’s setting for the people around the [SCU] community...What do they see?” Brianna Berg said. “[They see] a bunch of smokers lining the gates outside because they can’t smoke inside. Is that what we want people to see? Especially standing next to a sign that says ‘St. Kate’s is Proud to be Smoke Free’?”�

Brianna Berg is not the only student to question the advisability of sending students off campus to smoke.

Maria Brundy, junior, believes a designated smoking area would be an acceptable compromise between SCU’s current policy and the smoking community.

“I think that the smoking area should be right outside of the O’Shaughnessey...because that’s right in the middle of the buildings where we need to be to go to our classes,”� Brundy said. “Right now, we�re taking extra time to get out to Randolph [Ave.] so we can smoke before we go to our classes.”

Safety has also been a cause for concern among smokers. Resident students especially have few options.

“You don’t want to go off campus in the

middle of the night to smoke...At night, I don’t want to go out and stand on Randolph [Ave.] by myself,” Brianna Berg said.

The ban has had spiritual implications for some students as well. Senior Rebecca Roepke uses tobacco as a vital part of her American Indian spiritual tradition.

“I do carry tobacco when I can get it. I would actually say that I am proud to offer tobacco as part of my spiritual tradition,” Roepke said. “I am used to being overlooked. We, as a people, are used to being denied our religious freedom...I can deal with this, but I shouldn’t have to, and it would be a good idea to seriously consider what sort of an

impact [SCU], as an institution, wants to make with this.”

Brianna Berg and her sister are also interested in the impact SCU hopes to make with this smoking ban. Due to residential concerns over the increase of smoking outside the gates, Berg and her sister have drafted a letter to the residents of Randolph Ave. addressing the issue and calling for a designated smoking area on campus.

“Part of it is just an apology, and part of it is a call to action,” Brianna Berg said.

Tréza can be reached at tjrosado@stkate.edu

Rachel can be reached at rmarmstrong@stkate.edu

Sophomore Sara Quint and first-year Aimee Ahles take their smoking break outside the SCU gates. Photos by Dana Bloomquist

What’s Inside:

Film Review: The Social Network

NEWS & OPINION2 | The Wheel October 8, 2010

ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY WHEEL STAFFVolume 78, Issue 3

Editor-in-Chief: TRÉZA ROSADOLayout Designer: SARAH WENTESections Editor: RACHEL ARMSTRONGPhoto Editor: DANA BLOOMQUISTAdviser: SHEILA ELDREDSenior Staff Writers: ELISSA JOHNSON, JORDYN ARNDT, LYDIA FASTE-LAND, CLAIRE DAVIDSON Staff Writers: CLARA JOHNSON, JESSICA JONES, BECKY DOUCETTE, DEVON ARNDT , ALEXA CHIHOS, CARLY FISCHBECK, COURTNEY HAMP-TON, ERIN LEU, HANNAH FRANCE, KATE FULLER, MAGGIE WEISSPhotographers: JESSICA JONES, DANA BLOOMQUISTCartoonist: KATHERINE CURTISIf you would like to write for The Wheel, please contact us at wheel@stkate.edu.

MISSION STATEMENTThe Wheel aspires to reflect the diversity and unique atmosphere that compris-es St. Catherine University. We strive to provide an inclusive newspaper primar-ily for the students and by the students. The Wheel promotes the vision of empowering women to lead and influence as well as an understanding of the university community inside and outside of the gates. As a staff we aim to meet the highest journalistic standards and stand in accordance with the 1st Amend-ment of the Constitution of the United States of America and policies of prior restraint. The Wheel is not a public relations vehicle for any SCU individual, group, department or for the college as a whole. We welcome feedback and encourage an open discourse. The Wheel is supported by student funds and is distributed free of charge.

Breaking down walls:Expanding feminisms

By Jordyn Arndtinternational columnist

Esther Moss, a senior at St. Catherine University (SCU) studied abroad in Central

and South America last year. She spent fall semester in Nicaragua and spring semester

in Ecuador. As a Latin American Studies major and Women’s Studies minor, Moss is

fascinated by various ideas of feminism around the globe. During her time in Nicaragua

and Ecuador, she pursued independent study projects related to ecofeminism. Her project

in Nicaragua was entitled “Vital Feminism: A Theory Grounded in Rural Nicaragua” and

her project in Ecuador was entitled “Essentially Connected?: Defining the Relationship

between Feminism and Food Sovereignty.”

Moss’ interest in Latin American Studies began as a first-year at SCU. Although Moss had

previously studied Spanish in high school, her passion for social justice, Spanish language,

and Latin American culture did not culminate until she participated in the School of the

Americas (SOA) vigil. Each year, SCU Campus Ministry organizes a trip to Fort Benning,

GA to participate in the annual SOA vigil. The SOA is a government-funded military

training facility which has been accused of training soldiers responsible for some of Latin

America’s most shocking human rights abuses. The SOA continues to operate despite a

powerful transnational social justice movement committed to shutting it down. Moss

participated in this Campus Ministry-led trip during the fall of her first year. “In those

days of hearing tragic stories of US militaristic imperialism which has caused many deaths

of innocent people in Latin America, I felt the sparks of what would become a full-fledged

internal fire, growing each semester to increasingly consume most of my energy and time.

Studying abroad last year in Central and South America transformed that fire to anger and

guilt on behalf of the horrors committed by my country,” Moss said.

This critical experience led Moss to pursue a Latin American Studies major at Macalester

College, through the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC) program and a minor in

Women’s Studies at SCU. Moss is interested in learning about transnational feminism. This

interest, combined with her experience at the SOA vigil, helped motivate her decision to

study abroad in Nicaragua and Ecuador during her junior year.

“The experience of living, learning, and loving in Latin America changed my identity to

include the experiences of the hard working, feminist women with whom I became friends.,”

Moss said. “Feminism is an important part of my identity, thus as my identity began to

reflect their struggles, my feminism changed as well. Most importantly, I learned that the

conditions of being a feminist depend greatly on cultural, historical, and physical locations.”

In the United States, “feminism” is a charged word. It is often associated with movements

of white, upper-middle class American feminists with struggles related to financial gain

such as achieving equal compensation for work and the elimination of the glass ceiling, a

barrier for women in obtaining top positions in corporations. However, this is only one

form of feminism. Various forms of feminism co-exist locally, nationally, and internationally,

often with conflicting ideologies and objectives.

Conducting research in Nicaragua and Ecuador and engaging in an internship at The

National Ecuadorian Feminist Coalition helped Moss become more aware of some of

the forms of feminism that exist in Latin America. Prior to studying abroad, Moss had

studied the history of Latin American feminist movements; however, it was exclusively at

the academic level. Sitting over plates of rice and beans with the women in the National

Women from rural communities near Estelí, Nicaragua take part in a workshop on deconstructing Biblical messages that have been used to legitimate domestic violence. Photo courtesy of Esther Moss

Clarification:

In the article “Packing Begins for 100 Sisters of St. Joseph” [Vol. 78 Issue 2] there was a misquote stating “Sr. Andrea put together a group of students moving the library from Derham Hall...”

According to More Than a Dream: Eighty-five Years at the College of St. Catherine, “Operation Booklift” began on Oct 11, 1960, when volumes housed in various libraries on campus were all moved by students to the new library in St. Joseph Hall. Sisters Mary William, Mary Edward, and Rosalie and Marie Inez Johnson were instrumental in the move.

I also want to clarify that I am interested in working with the sisters to discuss their interest in how students might be of assistance in their move.

I in no way want to speak for them or make assumptions about St. Kate’s role in this move. I’m hoping that can be discovered together and that the St. Kate’s community will be on board in whatever way the sisters deem appropriate and helpful.

Sincerely,

Donna HauerConsociate and Director, MIPS

Ecuadorian Feminist Coalition, Moss began to understand, on

a personal level, the struggles of Latin American feminists. The

women with whom she was working were fighting over basic,

tangible rights. “Among their many duties, rural women are

responsible for collecting water from natural sources,” Moss

said. “As water is increasingly privatized, women literally must

travel farther and farther to find potable water, so the feminist

fight addresses this problem.” Ensuring equal access to water is far

removed from the definition of feminism held by white, upper-

middle class American feminists, yet it is an incredibly real and

pervasive problem to Ecuadorian feminists.

Moss believes “feminists must globalize our very identities in order

to globalize our feminisms.” This belief was strengthened by her

experience studying abroad in Nicaragua and Ecuador. Although

Moss has returned to the United States, she remains in contact

with her host families and continues to conduct research related

to the topics she explored while abroad.

Her Senior Honors Thesis in Latin American Studies at Macalester

College is entitled, “Entre la Tierra y la Luna: Reexamining Gender

and Cosmology in the Andes.” Moss hopes to return to Ecuador in

the future to continue her research and reunite with the country

and culture she now adores.

Jordyn can be reached at jearndt@stkate.edu

October 8, 2010 The Wheel | 3NEWS & OPINION

This is a rough time for politicians in Minnnesota. Like in many states, candidates for

governor have to contend with the job market, as well as the state and national economy.

Hopeful Minnesotans are either looking forward to Pawlenty leaving office for a chance at

a bigger seat in the nation’s capital or they’re looking forward to changing the way things

are run at the state level, with a more liberal, democratic touch.

But what about the social issues? Those things that are also referred to as “issues of

morality” which, when you put it that way, seem as though they shouldn’t be governed

by law at all…

It’s difficult to say for sure how the candidates will vote on issues like gay marriage. We

have Tom Emmer’s pretty blatant lack of support for gay rights across the board which

spawned the ‘oh-my-god-where-do-I-get-hip-bed-sheets-and-dog-food-now?’ boycott of

Target stores. I suppose we could infer something about his politics there. But what about

the other two candidates?

That’s where it get’s tricky.

If you weren’t following the news at the beginning of this race or you haven’t looked

up the candidates yet (because I know you’re all very informed voters and will when you

can), you’d never know that the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) candidate Mark Dayton

and Independent candidate Tom Horner both support same-sex marriage. Great, right?

Yes, but why don’t more people know about these social issues that affect us individually

and protect or hinder equality across the board? As Emmer was quoted in a Star Tribune

article on September 24, “This election is not about those issues.”

Well Mister Emmer, I would agree. The candidates in this election are not concerned

with issues of gay rights because they have the privilege to not be concerned. It is simple

to make a non-issue out of something when that something does not affect your civil

liberties and rights as a human.

I wonder if that sentiment was shared with Billy Lucas, Tyler Clementi, Raymond Chase,

Justin Aaberg, Seth Walsh, and Asher Brown. It’s too late to share it with them now. These

boys are some of the countless gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer (GBLTQ)

kids and young adults who are harassed every day in this country because of their sexual

identity and sexual orientation. This hate left four of those boys dead in the span of three

weeks and two more after that. One boy was from Minnesota.

People who identify as advocates for these “social issues” that candidates steer clear of

often validate their work with the idea that there will always be a backlash as progress is

made toward positive legislation. I recently looked at a Facebook post from a friend that

said, “I try to remind myself that when things get the worst there is always something better

coming. MN is so close to passing gay marriage!”

Do people really think any of the aforementioned teens ended their lives because they

were stressed about finding Mr. Right? Dead teenagers are not positive indicators for pro-

gay legislative policy. What other kind of media does the GLBTQ community get? “Out of

the closet” has become “out of sight.” When the assumption that blending in is the ultimate

goal of the GLBTQ community, we open the door for ignorance, misinformation, and the

myth of “passive” homophobia.

When politicians and institutions keep quiet about social issues, they deny legitimacy to

the lives those issues directly affect. It is difficult to make systemic change if the systems do

not acknowledge the problem. So as you’re thinking about who you’ll vote for in November

or which clubs to join this semester or which faculty members are allied, or where to go if

you’re the victim of harassment because of your sexual orientation, ask yourself this simple

question: “Where are the gays?”

Elissa can be reached at ejjohnson@stkate.edu

By Elissa Johnsonpolitical columnist

Theory to action: Passive homophobia

During the Opening Convocation, Amata Miller (IHM) Economics professor and director of the Myser Initiative at St. Catherine University (SCU) was presented with the 2010 Bonnie Jean Kelly and Joan Kelly Excellence Award. The award has been presented annually since 2006 and seeks to recognize contributions in teaching and scholarship at SCU.

Miller was presented with this award based on her leadership in directing and implementing programs of the Myser Initiative on Catholic Identity. Dr. Paula King, founding dean of the School of Business and Leadership, recognized Miller’s merit in earning this prestigious award.

“Her leadership of the Myser Initiative on Catholic Identity has touched those who have participated in the summer workshop and I personally experienced the power of her message during the new faculty orientation,” King said. “In an hour, [Miller] placed Catholic Social Teaching in a broad context helping those of us new to St. Kate’s understand how Catholic social teaching permeates and influences many intellectual traditions and is essential to St. Kate’s identity.”

Miller brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to SCU. She is recognized nationally for her work on economic policy and social justice. Her article, “The Many Faces of Social

Promoting Catholic identity

By Jordyn Arndtsenior staff writer

•Professor receives esteemed award

Justice,” plays an integral role in the Global Search for Justice (GSJ) curriculum. Joleen Sterner, a senior nursing student at SCU, read Sister Amata’s article during her GSJ course in China. Joleen states, “Miller’s article brought profound new insight to my experience in China. It was very interesting to read.”

Miller earned a Master’s degree in Economics at St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri and a Doctorate in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley. Among her many accomplishments, she is a board member of the Partnership for Global Justice, a non-governmental organization at the United Nations and serves as a trustee at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.

She has served as the director of the Myser Initiative on Catholic Identity since its inception in 2005. When she first began as director of the Myser Initiative, Miller assembled a diverse group of Catholic and non-Catholic faculty members to serve as its Steering Committee. They explored questions regarding Catholic identity specifically related to SCU as an institution.

“SCU was founded on a set of beliefs and it is important for members of the SCU community to become familiar with the reasons behind these beliefs,” Miller said.

She emphasized that a person does not necessarily need to be Catholic to see the value in these aspects of the Catholic tradition. To support her argument, she gives the example of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a declaration adopted by The United Nations in 1948 and ratified by countries around the world thereafter. The UDHR incorporates aspects of Catholic social teachings. People from around the world, originating from various faith traditions, were able to surmount their differences and agree upon these fundamental rights to human existence.

Abbie Rivard, a junior Food and Nutrition Science major, described the relevance of a recent lecture by Miller in her Community Nutrition class. In preparation for their 15 hours of community service component of the course, Sister Amata gave a presentation on Catholic social teaching.

“The presentation addressed how Catholic social teaching is connected with SCU’s mission and how our education is fulfilling many aspects of Catholic social teaching,” Rivard said.

Miller believes that promoting a greater understanding of Catholic identity is neither one person’s prerogative nor solely the job of a theologian. Furthermore, she believes that it is everyone’s job to infuse these aspects of the Catholic tradition into SCU. This is an innovative approach, and it just this approach that has brought national acclaim to Miller, the Myser Initiative, and SCU as a whole.

Jordyn can be reached atjearndt@stkate.edu

Sr. Amata Miller (IHM) Photo courtesy of Jordyn Arndt

FEATURES4 | The Wheel October 8, 2010

“Women here are not only valued, but women regardless of age are valued…”

— Ginger Hedstrom

Order up: the Flamingo•Beloved restaurant rebounds

By Devon Arndtstaff writer

The story of the Flamingo restaurant is the personal journey of Shegitu Kebede and Fresoini Haile. These two entrepreneurial women started a business intending to support the community, but when an unforeseen tragedy affected them, it was this same community that gave back to them.

Shegitu Kebede came to the United States as a refugee from war-torn Ethiopia in the 1980s. She came to the United States alone, feeling lost in a country so very different from her own.

Her first years were spent learning English, working, and adjusting to an unfamiliar culture. Kebede knew that someday she wanted to offer support to women who had been in her situation. Eventually, she started a cleaning business to provide jobs to immigrant and refugee women, teaching them important skills and helping them build resumes. She also served as a representative, finding job placement for the women so they

Spotlight: Ginger Hedstrom• CSJ Consociate lives social justice

By Becky Doucettestaff writer

Ginger Hedstrom is currently the Justice Associate Coordinator and Consociate with the Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJs).

“[I] coordinate the work of the Justice Commission, consisting of 20 sisters and consociates, who are commissioned by the Province Leadership Team to a three year term to do the work of social justice,” Hedstrom said.

Some of the working groups include Dismantling Racism and Homophobia/Heterosexism. Hedstrom is a part of a team that coordinates the working groups, task groups, and much more.

Growing up, Ginger was among strong women in her household.

“When I think about when social justice was planted in me, it was my grandmother, my great-grandmother, and my mother who helped their neighbors,” Hedstrom said.

S h e w a s a l s o a professional clown and performance artist, which helped her find the voice she boldly uses today.

Aside from this, Hedstrom dealt with domestic abuse. At 18, fresh out of high school, she married and settled down. Hedstrom was married at a time when the criminal justice system was transitioning. Previously, women had to press charges against an assailant if law enforcement was to get involved. However,

as the system changed, law enforcement was able to take action regardless of whether or not the woman chose to press charges.

“In the early ‘90s, I spent every [long] weekend I could camping alone in state parks,” Hedstrom said. “No one outside of my home has ever harmed me. It was only within my home, [with] the one who professed to love me, that I was harmed.”

Hedstrom eventually left her marriage. “I am 21 years free and safe from domestic violence…and I really like my life a lot.”

Outside the struggle in her domestic life, Hedstrom felt she was missing something else. “By 1992, my children all had their chosen degrees. I couldn’t have been happier,” Hedstrom said. “But there was this hole and I finally recognized that it was because

I always wanted to go to college.”

In the next two years, she searched for schools that would accept her as a non-traditional student. Eventually it was a friend who convinced her to take a tour of St. Catherine

University (SCU), then the College of St. Catherine (CSC).

“The first thing I remember is when I sat on the furniture. My feet touched the floor and my back went to the back of the furniture. It was something that a woman can sit in comfortably,” Hedstrom said.

This was enough to convince Hedstrom to apply to SCU. She said, “At 8:36pm, two weeks later, the admission person called and said that I had been accepted. And I screamed in his ear.”

On her first day of class as a Weekend College student she realized she was home.

“The first professor I met was Sister Alberta Huber, the former president of CSC, who was teaching in her 79th year [of age]. I wept,” Hedstrom said. “The testimony to me was that women here are not only valued, but women regardless of age are valued…When I got my first report card, I framed it.”

While at SCU she was approached by the director of Wisdom Ways, a resource center for spirituality on campus, saying that they needed a student worker. “So I went into [Human Resources], and they said ‘Well, Weekend College students don’t do that.’ And I said ‘it needs to change.’ I then began my work for Wisdom Ways.”

Hedstrom is now a graduate of SCU. “Dec 18th 2003, 7:30 pm. Double major, Communications and Theology, and Honors in both. I would love to go back and do more,” Hedstrom said.

Hedstrom uses her past experiences to advocate for social justice today. “Kids have

a wonderful way of saying things. ‘Nobody’s mucher’ is what the kids used to say when they were little. When I find oppressions of any form intolerable, I have a hard time with that.”

“There’s a wonderful book titled, Like a Swarm of Bees. It’s a novel written by Carol Ann O’Marie, and she’s a Sister of St. Joseph from Los Angeles…And that’s, now, really the image that I have of the Sisters, being that swarm…they’re noisy, they’re productive, they’re active, and they make the sweetest stuff. We need bees. I like being a bee,” Hedstrom said.

To anyone who is advocating for social justice, Hedstrom has a few words of advice. First, you must be involved to make a difference; a bee is only a bee on its own. And second, “You don’t need to drive, or take the bus, just cross the parking lot. The work groups and task groups are open, wide open.”

Becky can be reached atrjdoucette@stkate.edu

Above Left: Flamingo’s vegetarian sampler dish on East African ingira bread.Above: Shegitu Kebede and Fresoini Haile, the founders of Flamingo.Photos courtesy of Devon Ardnt

The Flamingo Restaurant

Hours of Operation: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Monday - Sunday

490 N Syndicate StSt. Paul, MN 55104-2500

651-917-9332

could receive benefits. Within the first year of this work, she placed

38 refugee women in positions. Determined to do even more, she started a mentorship program to help the women’s children. Partnering with two local universities, she paired college students with the young children to serve as mentors and tutors, helping the children stay ahead in school. For her exceptional work, Kebede received the Virginia McKnight Binger Award for Human Service.

This past January, with the help of her business partner and friend, Fresoini Haile (a refugee from Eritrea), Kebede opened Flamingo, a restaurant specializing in East African cuisine. Just six months later, an unforeseen tragedy struck. In June, a nearby power outage caused a power surge that destroyed all of the restaurant’s equipment and spoiled the food.

The women were dismayed to find out that the insurance company refused to cover the costs of the damages, citing the surge as “an act of God”. The women were devastated. They had no money to pay for the building’s rent or to purchase the new equipment they needed.

Local newspapers heard about the tragedy and began writing, encouraging people to support the restaurant in any way possible. In response, donations began pouring in.

Some people sent money and mailed cards offering prayers of support, while even more visited the restaurant, several ordering more food then they could eat.

“When you are a refugee you feel you don’t belong,” Kebede said. “It is incredible to be affected by people’s kindness....to see they they really care about you.” As a result of the community’s support, Flamingo is financially stable again.

The women have been able to resume what they had originally set out to do, creating a restaurant that not only satisfies its customers but also the community it serves. A portion of Flamingo’s profits are used to support community groups, including the mentor program Kebede started so many years ago.

The authentic East African menu of Flamingo is varied and extensive. On a recent visit, I tried the sambusa, an appetizer consisting

of three crispy pastry shells stuffed with spiced lentils and served with a side of a red chili sauce, which was sensational. I also tried the vegetarian combo platter which consisted of the restaurant’s signature injera bread topped with five different mixtures. I balanced these out with a mango lassi drink infused with yogurt.

The food is as diverse as the customers Flamingo serves, and the prices are reasonable enough that a college student can afford them.

After visiting with Kebede and hearing her story, I remembered her wish that “… Every meal will be a meaningful meal.”

Kebede and Haile have achieved exactly that with Flamingo.

Devon can be reached atdvarndt@stkate.edu

Ginger Hedstrom.

Photo courtesy of CSJ website and used with permission of Ginger Hedstrom