Multi-nominated woman uses her drive to benefit many

Rosie

the Riveter is a cultural icon in the United States, where “Rosie” is the living embodiment of feminism and women’s economic power. She is simply a woman who gets things done.

Thus, the honor dubbed the “Rosie Award,” recently given out at The Woman Today’s “Women As a Driving Force” ceremony, was a special namesake distinction, only befitting a woman of tremendous drive, ambition and hard work.

This special recipient is Duluthian Anita Stech. She received not just one, but 15 nominations from her colleagues and peers.

From her work with public access TV and Duluth girls’ hockey to volunteering at her church and more, she is a woman with enough purpose to fill 10 lifetimes. There is no one better suited to represent our dear Rosie.

A humble start

Anita, along with her two sisters, was born and raised in Duluth’s Lester Park neighborhood. Some of her earliest memories are of her parents’ hard work. Her dad worked at the Coolerator plant, which manufactured appliances, later transitioning to janitorial work after the plant closed its doors. Her mom was a milliner, an artisan who makes hats.

Anita’s mother was definitely a “Rosie” of her day. “She owned her own shop, Benda’s Millinery, back in the day when no mothers worked,” Anita said. “She was known professionally as Mrs.

Anita Stech

Rosie Award

Louis Benda, so it was like she didn’t even have her own name,” she said. Family finances were tight, and Anita began working when she was a teenager. Her first job was at the Lester Park Library, then at Fannie Farmer candy shop and American Linen Supply.

Anita enjoyed radio broadcasting and always knew she wanted to attend college. Through a combination of student loans and scholarships, she enrolled at the University of Minnesota

Duluth, where she graduated with a degree in speech with a broadcast emphasis.

Broadcasting 101

During her time in college, Anita worked as a station manager at KUMDFM. While in this role, she became friends with a colleague, Harlan Stech, whom she said was “the only one who knew anything about classical music.”

Anita and Harlan were friends for a decade before they became romantically involved. They both went on to attend Michigan State University, where Anita earned a master’s degree in television and radio, and Harlan earned a master’s degree, as well as a Ph.D., in math.

Cross country careers

While Harlan worked as a professor at Virginia Tech, Anita worked in media. She was passionate about local programming and the possibilities for cable TV. “People who never had a voice found one through Public Access TV,” she said. “There was no YouTube at that time. It was only CBS, ABC, NBC and PBS. Once video cameras became a thing, that really changed everything.”

At that time, it was considered radical to air school board and city council meetings in their entirety. Anita worked hard to change that. In addition to her work as a consultant, professor, and her work for the Minnesota Cable Communications

Board, Anita has fond memories of producing programming out of the back of her Volkswagen. She chuckled at how different things were back then.

Harlan and Anita were married in 1982. They moved to Iowa City for a few years, then to Christiansburg, Virginia. Along the way, the couple welcomed three daughters: Katy, Marcy and Amy. All three of their adult daughters are now successful in their careers, no doubt following the example of both their parents and grandparents.

Their hearts belong to Duluth

The Stechs moved back to Duluth in 1985, where they settled into the east end of town. In addition to raising children and helping care for elderly relatives, Anita found plenty of social causes to keep her occupied.

When daughter Katy wanted to play hockey, Anita banded together with others to create a hockey forum for girls. This ended up morphing into the Duluth Girls’ Hockey Association.

Anita was involved in the formation the Heritage Sports Center, and still serves on its Foundation Board. She works on the Civility Project, a catalyst for respectful communication during political and other debates.

She worked with a leadership group at the East High School Association for several years, she is the president of the Longview Garden Club, and volunteers at her church, Pilgrim Congregational. She co-founded “Nice Girls of the North,” a monthly sale featuring handmade products crafted by local women.

Anita also owns her own business, Cut Loose Creations, where she “upcycles” t-shirts and other used items into a variety of products. She uses her seamstress skills to create something she dubbed “cover ups,” which are comfy adult bibs that are whimsical (think UMD Bulldog-themed) and provide more dignity to the wearer.

Our Rosie

Among her 15 Rosie Award nominations, Anita’s peers and colleagues shared many positive qualities about her. One discussed her “tireless effort to make her community better.”

Another spoke of Anita’s “passion for gender equity for our youths, and promoting products made by local women.” Anita has been described as talented, innovative, creative, caring, thoughtful and dedicated.

There are a lot of labels we could attribute to Anita Stech, but for today, we’ll just call her Rosie. D