College Feminists Connect!

Highlights: Catch Up On This Week's Exciting News

"Finally, Finally! FBI's 'Forcible Rape' Definition is Officially History"

It's official, the FBI has changed their definition of rape - which means statistics will better reflect actual incidences of sexual assault. This change will also help highlight better ways to fight rape culture and stop sexual violence. Get the full story at Ms. Magazine's Blog.

"Yale University Discovers Firsthand the Awful Results of Gender Cohabitation"

The results are in! And they're not awful - they're actually exactly what you might expect. Check out Yale University's foray into mixed gender on-campus housing in this Jezebel article.

"The Tea Party's Not-So-Civil War"

For an in-depth look at how the Tea Party functions, what they're thinking about the upcoming election and an all in all great read, hit up this New York Times Magazine article.

"Who Needs New Hampshire? Minneapolis Election Winners: Susan Allen and Kari Dziedzic"

In a special election this week Susan Allen became the first Native American woman elected to the Minnesota legislature and Kari Dziedzic won in Senate District 59. For more details on the elections and the elected visit the article on Twin Cities Daily Planet.

"Victims of Eugenics Sterilization in NC to be Compensated"

North Caroline intends to compensate victims of its former eugenics program $50,000 each. Get the full story at Feministing.com.

Art of Honoring Leadership Development Mentoring Program

The Art of Honoring Leadership Development Mentoring Program is designed for first generation female, junior and senior or graduate students of color.

It is an 8-month program, meeting once a month from 9 AM - 12:30 PM, and kick-off is Thursday, October 7, 2010. The mentors are leaders within top corporations (3M Company, Wells Fargo, Boston Scientific, HealthPartners, Target) and the mentees are chosen from Universities ( U of M, Carlson School of Management, St. Catherine University, Bethel University, Hamline University, Metropolitan State University, and Augsburg College) based on a specific criteria. Many students participating in the program have gotten jobs and internships.

Students wll grow their professional networks and build relationships with managers and recruiters at Fortune 500 companies. If you are interested, please send a short letter expressing your interest and background ASAP to the Women's Center at the University of Minnesota.

Occupied Bodies: Women of Color Speak on Self-Image Call for Submissions

Tasha Fierce of Red Vinyl Shoes is soliciting essays for an anthology on women of color's self-image/body image as shaped by family, friends, media, society, history, lived experiences, etc. She is looking for   "smart, accessible, and snappy personal narratives that also offer nuanced analysis of the underlying constructs that affect how we perceive ourselves." The voices of women of color that are not often heard or represented are especially encouraged to participate. Women of color such as trans* WOC, disabled WOC, queer WOC, WOC outside the U.S., WOC with eating disorders, working class/poor WOC, and fat WOC. 

For more information about this project and specific guidelines visit Red Vinyl Shoes. Read a PDF copy of the call for submissions.

Hmong Women Speaker Series

Check out this awesome event this Friday, June 11th, from 12 to 1:30 pm at the Wilder Foundation in St. Paul!

About the Series:

The Hmong Women Speaker Series, hosted by Hnub Tshiab: Hmong Women Achieving Together, features 4 outstanding, successful, and influential Hmong American women. The series seeks to highlight and promote the work, leadership, and contributions of Hmong women. The speakers share openly and honestly about the challenges and triumphs they've experienced along the way to personal and professional happiness. The series seek to influence and provoke conversations about the struggles and realities Hmong women face among people who have the authority, ability, and responsibility to make changes that will benefit the lives of Hmong women.

Tomorrow's Series features two inspiring college women: Kia Lor and Mysee Chang. 

Ms. Lor is a student at the College of St. Benedict, majoring in Peace Studies and Communication Studies. She is a 2009 Children's Defense Fund's Beat the Odds awardee, as well as a 2009 Gates Millennium Scholar.

Ms. Chang is studying at St. Catherine's University, majoring in Women's Studies and Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity. Ms. Chang also served as a member of one of the focus groups for this very website, College Feminists Connect.

Both women will be speaking about sisterhood, their relationship as "Best Cousins," and the powerful and positive influence of mentors, mothers, Hmong womanhood, and their respective college journeys in the crafting of their unique identities.

Please visit www.hmongwomenachieve.org for more information on this event.