Women continue march toward equality

Women continue march toward equality

My column from January 21, 2017.

I am a feminist.

It’s a word that far too many seem to find even more offensive than another word that begins with “F.”

Gloria Steinem said, “A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.”

I do not hate men or believe I am better than them. I don’t feel I deserve special privileges. I believe that as a human, I should have equal political, economic and social rights.

Why do I identity as a feminist?

When I was born a woman could not apply for a loan or credit card without a male co-signer. Three months later the Equal Credit Opportunity Act was codified.

Harvard grudgingly admitted women, but did not abolish quotas or offer similar scholarships until the late 1970s – when it finally began using the same criteria to admit a woman as it used to admit a man.

A pregnant woman could be fired from her job without recourse until 1978.

While no law prevented a woman from serving on the Supreme Court, no woman was appointed until Sandra Day O’Connor in 1981. Today there are three women serving out of what should be a court of nine judges (one seat has been vacant for nearly a year).

Marital rape was not criminalized in all 50 states until 1993. And around the world 120 countries still don’t have laws against marital rape, and too many allow child brides — some younger than 10.

A women could not attend a U.S. military academy until 1976. Women could not fight in combat until 2013.

I grew up near the largest ski jump in the western hemisphere, but a woman could not compete in Olympic ski jumping events until the 2014 games in Sochi.

In my mother’s lifetime (in 1972) women could not enter the Boston Marathon. That’s the same year that Title IX – the landmark legislation that banned educational discrimination on the grounds of gender – passed.

While many only think of sports when they hear Title IX, it also opened doors for women in higher education. Before it passed it was legal to expel a pregnant student. Title IX allowed boys to take a home economics class and girls to take shop class.

Women could not serve on juries nationwide until 1973.

Before the Equal Pay Act of 1963, employers could openly discriminate against women by offering unequal pay for performing the same job as men. Unfortunately a wage gap still exists.

In my grandmothers’ lifetimes, women could not enlist in the military. It wasn’t until 1948 that Congress passed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act.

In my great-grandmothers’ lifetimes (in 1920), American women finally received the right to vote. Until the Cable Act passed in 1922, an American woman who married a foreigner lost her American citizenship and had to take her husband’s citizenship — even if they both lived in the United States.

Today, a Women’s March on Washington takes place in Washington D.C., with more than 600 “sister” marches planned around across all seven continents, with at least eight marches taking place in Wisconsin. There are even marches organized in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and I admire participants for their bravery and pray for their safety.

The Women’s March on Washington’s stated mission is, “We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health and our families, recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.”

It was created to send a message to the new presidential administration that women’s rights are human rights. This is at a time when women still hold less than 20 percent of the seats in Congress, although we make up more than half the population.

While we’ve come a long way on the path toward equality, on a global scale there is still a long road ahead of us. Educating females is not a priority: Of the estimated 781 million illiterate adults in the world, roughly two-thirds are women.

Malala Yousafzai — who stood up to the Taliban and survived being shot for speaking out about education for girls — said, “I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard .... We cannot succeed when half of us are held back.”

In sexual assault cases we too often still blame the victim, if we believe them at all.

Females make up 98 percent of trafficking for sexual exploitation.

“Like a girl” is still considered an insult.

So today I stand in solidarity with those who gather in support of equality. And I will continue to march forward seeking it.

Digging In To One's Roots

Digging In To One's Roots

My column from January 7, 2017.

Years ago a school project that required my son to work on a family tree sparked my interest in digging into my family’s history.

Using genealogy resources available online, a family Bible, photographs and conversations with a paternal great aunt and my maternal grandmother, I traced my way back through the past and learned what “once removed” means when talking about cousins.

Social media played a role in my search. I met distant cousins on both sides of my family, including one from my mother’s side of the family still living in Finland and one on my father’s side who lives in Cornwall in the United Kingdom. I discovered a distant cousin who lives in Wisconsin, but is also a Yooper. We both attended Michigan Tech, where her daughter and my son are now in their third year as students. She is a descendant of Sam, a younger brother of my great-great-grandfather Henry.

Two five-generation photos printed in newspapers —one featuring me as an infant, and the other with my paternal grandmother as the baby — helped me trace back that branch of the family tree to the names of my great-great-great-great-grandparents on the maternal side of my father’s family.

The Lutey family Bible, passed down to my father and now my son, helped me discover the names of my great-great-great-grandparents, which led to the discovery of my great-great-great-great-grandfather John Lutey, born in Cornwall in 1795. His brother is a great-grandparent for my distant cousin in Cornwall, but I did not need that research to tell me he was family. He looks too much like my grandpa Jim and great uncle Hans for me to have any doubt.

Given what I learned about my family’s origins, I could tell you I was part Finnish, Swedish, Cornish, Danish, Slovakian and possibly French Canadian and Austrian. One birth certificate suggested I might even have traces of First Nation Canadian in my blood.

My cousin in Finland set me a digital copy of a hand-drawn family tree that also helped me in my research. I printed copies to share with my grandmother, who shared closer roots to that side of the family. I’ve traced my family back to great-great-great-grandparents through that tree and conversations with Grandma Ethel.

Last year, I tried another method of climbing my family tree – using my DNA to tell me more. What I learned fascinated me, and suggested inaccuracies in old birth records (or the scandalous possibility that a person I thought was a distant great-grandfather might not be).

The DNA test revealed my ancestry origins as being approximately 56 percent from Finland/Northwest Russia, 14 percent from Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway and Denmark), 12 percent eastern Europe, 10 percent from Ireland (which includes Scotland, Wales and Cornwall), 6 percent western Europe, 1 percent from the Iberian Peninsula and less than 1 percent from Great Britain.

The mystery of the Iberian Peninsula percentage puzzled me, until I remembered my history lessons and the story of the Spanish Armada during the reign of Elizabeth I of England. In 1588, a fleet of 130 ships set sail from Spain, intent on invading England. They failed, and one-third of those ships did not return to Spain. Some sailors washed up on the shores of Ireland.

Mystery possibly solved.

I found it fascinating that my Cornish ancestry is considered as being from Ireland and not Great Britain. Having Scotland included in that bloodline lends credence to research that suggests the Lutey family name originated there.

I usually pay more attention to St. Urho’s Day — a March 16 celebration of a fictional Finnish saint — but this year I plan to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day, since I can now legitimately claim I am 10 percent “Irish.”

I bought another DNA testing kit as a Christmas gift for my son and look forward to him sharing his results.

A cousin on my mother’s side used a DNA test from the same source, so it helpfully revealed our family connection as “highly likely” to be first cousins. The site, Ancestry.com, also reveals many potential fourth to sixth cousins, but will only allow me to connect with them if I sign up as a member. While I initially used a site called Family Echo to build and store my genealogy research and family tree, I am slowly importing that information into Ancestry.com in hopes of connecting with more family.

If you are interested in tracing your family’s roots, I recommend starting at a local library to utilize genealogy tools available there.

Digging into your family’s past serves as a great way to find distant relatives and offers a personal look back at history.

Update- As part of a research study, I received the results from a different DNA test (through 23 & Me) that switched the "Irish" to United Kingdom. So much for claiming Irish blood on March 17.

Combating the Winter 'Blahs"

Combating the Winter 'Blahs"

My column from January 13, 2017.

When feeling down in the dumps, one of my favorite ways to lift my mood is to find a cute animal video online.

It becomes much harder to feel grumpy when watching puppies or kittens frolic, chubby baby pandas taking turns going down a slide or sloths hanging out after a bath.

Sometimes the cute animal videos make the news. Owners of a convenience store in Toronto shared surveillance footage of stealthy squirrels that slip in the front door to shoplift nutty candy bars as part of a plea for ideas on how to prevent the theft. Simply closing the door is not an option, as the store feels stuffy (and an open door is more likely to bring in customers, not just larcenous squirrels.)

I sympathize with the storeowners. Shoplifting, even when committed by tiny, furry beasts, costs business owners far too much. Those poor squirrels clearly have a need for chocolate though– and studies show that dark chocolate stimulates the production of endorphins- brain chemicals that bring feelings of pleasure. I tend to squirrel away stashes of chocolate at home, the office and in my purse for a quick mood-lifting fix.

Exposure to the sun can help improve one’s mood, a resource that can be rare during winter months. Listening to upbeat music serves as another spirit enhancer, one that I try to use cautiously, given my tendency to sing along or start dancing at my desk. Such behavior can disrupt (or wildly entertain) the workplace.

 Another suggestion is to keep a positivity journal. Write down at least one good thing that happens each day in a journal or on a slip of paper stored in a decorative jar. Taking the time to look back and reflect on the good things in life can help us cope with the bad.

Studies suggest scents can help lift spirits. Try using a candle, essential oil diffuser or a roll-on. The scent of lemon can induce feelings of joy, lavender can calm and peppermint improves concentration. If you can track down scratch and sniff stickers, that could be a fun way to enhance your mood. Those were one of the best rewards for good work in school—even the ones that smelled like a freshly cut lawn, licorice or leather. Orange, grape, pizza and popcorn remain my favorites.

Sometimes just taking a few moments to focus on your breathing can help improve your mood. When we become tense we tend to take rapid, shallow breaths. A few deep belly breaths can help calm and center you.

Recent weather (and road) conditions have denied me access to one of my most reliable methods of boosting my spirits – going for a run. Sub-zero temps earlier this month did not deter me, I just added more layers. But ice-coated streets and sidewalks make running too hazardous, especially after a slip and fall. I own a pair of ice/snow cleats that fit over boots or running shoes and tried to go for a run on Wednesday morning, but even those did not offer enough grip to pick up the pace safely. A friend and I made it for about 1/3 of a mile before opting to visit a gym for a cardio-focused workout. While not nearly as satisfying as a long run, working up a sweat helps my mood. I often call exercise my “sweat-therapy.”

How do you combat the winter blahs?

I Must Remember This

I Must Remember This

My column from January 21, 2017.

Why did I walk into this room?

When this question pops into my head, I often have to backtrack and scan the area I just left until my brain kicks the reason back out for me.

Short term memory issues could be because of my age, a side effect of medications I take, caused by depression or perhaps all of the above with a side dose of my occasional tendency to be a ditz.

I too often find myself easily distracted, and compare it to a dog that behaves until…SQUIRREL!

Or perhaps a toddler entranced by something that glows, shines or sparkles. I focus best while reading, which may be why I love books as much as I do.

I tried playing games designed to help improve one’s brain, until studies revealed those games were not much use in preventing memory loss. Which is just as well, as I’d rather play Tetris, Freecell, Angry Birds or Plants Vs. Zombies.

There are steps we can take to help us remember. When introduced to someone we can listen carefully and repeat the name, then picture an image that reminds you of the name and link that to an aspect of the person’s appearance.

Establishing routines helps too. While in the frenzy of moving, I began wearing my car and house keys on a lanyard around my neck so I would not lose track of them. Now my keys go into a bowl by my front door as soon as I arrive home.

Mneomonic devices are useful for helping us to remember. An acrostics, acronyms, rhymes and alliteration help, which is why music students learn “Every good boy does fine” to memorize the treble clef, HOMES can help us remember the names of the Great Lakes and “Thirty days hath September” keeps tabs on which months of the year have different amounts of days.

Eating more “brain” foods filled with vitamins and antioxidants, including blueberries, dark chocolate, broccoli, cauliflower and turmeric may help. Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly beneficial for brain health. Since I don’t like canned tuna, herring or sardines, I eat walnuts, flaxseed, winter squash, pumpkin seeds, soybeans and spinach or take a supplement instead.

Getting more sleep helps, as fatigue plays a large role in memory issues. Exercise helps, too. One of the best ways to strengthen the brain is to keep learning and developing new skills. Maybe I should give knitting or crocheting another chance.

Making time for friends, laughter and reducing stress also help with memory issues.

My family history includes dementia or Alzheimer’s disease on both sides of my family tree, something that concerns me more as I am just a few years away from being considered “middle-aged.” My brain still holds on to details most may consider trivial (you want to pick me for your trivia team), but it also tends to remember faces far better than it holds on to names. If interrupted while working on a multi-step task, I may skip one of the steps.

Our memories help determine who we are, which is why it’s so hard when memory-related issues take loved ones away from us. I’ll never forget the day my grandfather asked me who I was. Even worse was the time he did not remember my mother, his daughter.

One of the best things about being a writer is that it helps capture who I am and what I care about, in case the day comes when my brain fails to remind me.

Learning for a Lifetime

Learning for a Lifetime

My column for March 25, 2017.

My job allows me to visit schools, which I find delightful. It allows me to share stories about students and teachers, which I consider a privilege.

In the last eight days, I visited two schools – Randolph Elementary Middle School and Rock River Intermediate School in Waupun.

Holly Swanson, the physical education teacher at REMS, sent me an invitation to the school’s annual Jump Rope for Heart assembly. It is an event I look forward to and I have found it both uplifting and heartbreaking. The event often includes students sharing their rope jumping skills. This year’s assembly included two girls who cartwheeled in unison to start tandem jumping.

I brought my son along when I covered the 25th anniversary assembly for Jump Rope for Heart, held in the evening at Randolph High School. It included a performance by the Pink Panthers, a team of REMS students who pulled off some amazing rope jumping stunts.

 wanson does an amazing job coordinating the fundraiser and the assembly, finding ways to motivate her students while teaching lessons about the importance of fitness for health and community service. She is quick to share credit for the success of the Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser with her co-workers and the generous hearts of the community.

Next year, REMS is on track to jump past raising a quarter of a million dollars for the American Heart Association, an incredible achievement in 36 years for a small school district.

Sue Krause, who teaches fourth grade at Rock River, sent me an invitation in February to attend the annual wax museum held on Monday, and thoughtfully sent a reminder about the event a few days before.

I walked in to the school gym not knowing what to expect. I left with more photos than I could use, and new knowledge.

I found fourth grade students dressed up as people with a connection to Wisconsin. This included historical figures, athletes, actors, authors and more. There were several girls portraying Laura Ingalls Wilder, and a visit to Pepin remains on my travel bucket list, as I adored reading the Little House series as a child. As a horse crazy kid, I devoured the books of Marguerite Henry, but did not know she was born in Milwaukee until I visited the wax museum.

I also did not know Oprah Winfrey once lived in Milwaukee until I came across girls portraying her in the wax museum. I also did not know that Golda Meir also spent part of her childhood in Milwaukee. I learned about Vel Phillips, Kate Pelham Newcomb and Ada Deer.

I remember watching Bonnie Blair skate in the Olympics. I did not realize she lived in Wisconsin to train until meeting several Bonnie Blairs at the wax museum. The museum taught me about Carrie Chapman Catt, a native of Ripon. It shames me to admit that I lived in Ripon for three years and do not recall learning about her while there.

Students also portrayed Fred MacMurray and Gene Wilder, with very creative costumes.

One boy dressed up as Richard Bong, the World War II flying ace and Medal of Honor recipient, whose life was cut tragically short while serving as a test pilot. My maternal grandfather also served as a pilot during WWII, flying cargo planes on the Pacific front. While traveling with him from Ironwood, Mich., to the Twin Cities, we stopped in Bong’s hometown of Poplar, which has a replica of a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter on display as a memorial to him.

I enjoy spending time with young people, and find their optimism and enthusiasm a balm for my soul. I once considered teaching as a career, but decided I lacked a trait necessary for a good teacher – patience. I salute teachers and aides who dedicate so much time to educate children.

Learning should be a lifetime activity, and I value opportunities that allow me to continue my education.