May 2023 | YWCA Spring Newsletter

FROM THE CEO’S DESK

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF EMPOWERING WOMEN AT YWCA’S WOMEN OF THE YEAR

YWCA Cass Clay recently hosted our 50th Anniversary Women of the Year event to honor achievements of women across our community. Forty-one were nominated, and our celebration was a spectacular night!

The first Women of the Year event at the Treetop in Moorhead in 1973 recognized 100 women! While the event has changed some over the years, Women of the Year has stood the test of time. More than 1,800 remarkable women and empowering businesses have been honored across the years. Many traditions or institutions do not stand the test of time. Women of the Year has not only stood the test but grown into an annual

community celebration of women’s empowerment.

Although I wasn’t born yet, the road to equality probably didn’t seem so dauntingly long back in 1973. In the 1970s, women were grabbing the reins in new and exciting ways. Many early honorees were “the firsts” to hold jobs in traditional male professions. The first to enter leadership suites. The first to establish new businesses.

The winds of change were blowing.

Yet, fast forward five decades, and we still do not have pay equity or entirely equal access to all places and positions of power. But we have come a very

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

long way, because past Women of the Year honorees ran for office, found investors, studied engineering, challenged dated ideas, and rewrote the rules. They shook the ground beneath our feet. And so have the women we honored last month at the 50th Women of the Year.

Congratulations to 2023 honorees and also to you for supporting YWCA and making amazing strides possible for women!

Erin Prochnow CEO, YWCA Cass Clay

or family members on behalf of an honoree who has passed. Never before has such a large group of empowered YWCA honorees come together! Gather to reminisce with old friends and make new connections with female leaders in our community.

While this event follows our “Empowered!” headline event, attendance at that event is not required to attend this special reception in your honor.

Scan the QR Code to the right or visit ywcacassclay.org to RSVP by June

Congratulations!

TO THE 2023 YWCA WOMEN OF THE YEAR

We are incredibly grateful for those that joined us for the 50th annual YWCA Women of the Year event on Monday, April 24 at The Delta by Marriott! This year we honored 41 incredible women with the evening culminating in the announcement of the 2023 YWCA Women of the Year award recipients.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 2023 WOMEN OF THE YEAR HONOREES!

Wendy Allen

Katie Beedy

ADVOCATING FOR EQUALITY

Suzanne Senske Microsoft

ARTS & CULTURE

Marjorie Schlossman Artist & Painting Instructor

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Vanessa Gallagher

Transitional Supported

Employment of Minnesota

Amy Benedict

Dr. Anne Blackhurst

Tara Bowen

Nicole Davidson

Heather Gades

Vanessa Gallagher

Precious Garpeh-Dweh

Dr. Kara Gravley-Stack

Sasha Holmes

Sally Jacobson

Kayla Jones

Trisha Lake

Sheri Larson

COMMUNICATIONS

Katie Beedy Tellwell Story Co.

COMMUNITY & VOLUNTEER SERVICE

Precious Garpeh-Dweh WIN-Liberia

EDUCATION

Dr. Kara Gravley-Stack

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Natalie Lemnus

Addison Loerzel

Amy Longtin

Kathy Lonski

Sharon Miller

Pastor Karin Moberg

Julie Norris

Michelle Parkinson

Katie Peterson

Tanya RedRoad

Cairn Reisch

FAITH COMMUNITY

Britni Wyum

Faith + Journey Lutheran Church

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Tara Bowen

Family HealthCare, Homeless Health Services

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Amy Longtin

Fargo Park District and Tech4Kids

Marjorie Schlossman

Suzanne Senske

Trisha Stibbe

Chelsey Strand

Jennifer Swenson

Kate Syverson

Tiffany Taylor

Pastor Megan Tee

Rachel Thurs

Sharon Traylor

Samantha Turner

Photography

YOUNG WOMAN OF TODAY & TOMORROW

Addison Loerzel

Addie’s Royal Cupcake Stand/ Addie’s Spread Your Sunshine

YOUTH ADVOCACY

Kayla Jones

North Dakota State University

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Pastor Karin Moberg

Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Parish

Jordan Wiedmann

Britni Wyum

Aimee Zachrison

Helene Zelaya

LEARNING AND GROWING TOGETHER WITH THE 2023 YWCA RACIAL JUSTICE CHALLENGE

From April 17-May 15, 150 individuals from YWCA Cass Clay and the surrounding community joined 8,500 participants across the country in the 2023 YWCA Racial Justice Challenge.

The Racial Justice Challenge (formerly Stand Against Racism Challenge) is a virtual learning tool designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership.

The Challenge works to foster personal reflection, encourage social responsibility, and motivate participants to identify

and act on ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination.

For four weeks, daily activities (reading an article, listening to a podcast, reflecting on personal experience, etc.) were posted in the Challenge app and website, allowing participants to connect with one another, discover how racial and social injustice impact our community, and identify ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination. Each week covered a different topic related to equity and social justice.

The 2023 Challenge topics were Disability, Housing, Music, and Mental Health.

MISSION MOMENT

Helping women and children move from fear to freedom paves the way for their hopes and dreams to grow! Pictured is a note of appreciation from a woman served at YWCA Emergency Shelter.

Missed the challenge?

Contact Allison at info@ywcacassclay.org for more information about how you or your organization can still participate!

THANKS TO YOU, MORGAN IS NO LONGER TRAPPED IN POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS.

Motherhood is powerful at changing a person.

It makes us fierce protectors. It can change us to be stronger, driven, and ready to make the most of life.

For several years, Morgan was jobless, homeless, and bounced between other people’s sofas and local shelters. With no money or stability, it became impossible to stay on medications she needed for depression and anxiety.

A short relationship failed, and she was both homeless and pregnant when she came to YWCA Emergency Shelter. It was concern for the safety of her unborn baby that brought her to our doors.

At YWCA, she found an empathetic advocate who encouraged Morgan to focus on her wellbeing.

She helped Morgan see her own courage. She shared knowledge about the path to employment and getting identification documents she would need. YWCA’s onsite nurse helped Morgan get on track with her medications and made physician referrals.

At 31, Morgan delivered a healthy baby boy, who became her motivation in life.

With her baby safe and nurtured in YWCA’s onsite childcare, Morgan searched for employment and found a fulltime job. We supported Morgan to apply for apartments, and today she keeps a cozy home for herself and her son.

She’s proving her worth at work: not missing a single shift despite a long bus ride and terrible winter storms.

Reliability, she knows, ensures her job and economic security. Life got a whole lot easier when a car was donated to her in April and eased her commute and family errands.

“She’s very passionate and goal-driven. She knows what she wants for the future, and life revolves around keeping her son safe and healthy,” says YWCA Supportive Housing Advocate Michaela.

“She reaches out to me almost every day and is very engaged with our empowerment programs. I believe she’ll easily move into a manager position, making her entry level job grow toward a living wage career.”

Morgan has shaped her own path, but your support meant she didn’t go it alone. Thank you for making this difference!

DONOR DIFFERENCE Meet Marietta Bettermann!

Marietta teaches and coordinates a resume and job interviewing class in our onsite classroom at YWCA Emergency Shelter. Her Bank of the West “Mix City” group is one of nine resource groups the bank offers to employees to meet, volunteer, and grow. We asked her about her dedicated service!

Q. You’ve been teaching for a long time. How long? And how did you get connected to YWCA?

A. I have been part of our internal resource group at Bank of the West for almost 10 years and chair for the Fargo site for about seven years. We got connected with YWCA five years ago because your mission “ …to empower her to transform her life…” aligns with our Mix City Mission and Vision to be “supportive of the personal and professional growth of women through coaching, education, mentoring, and networking.”

Q. What kind of feedback do you get from women about the class?

A. Over the years, we have gotten positive feedback about how helpful we try to be and that our sessions are “hands on.” Our goal is to help you get your resume started, or how to better answer questions in an interview that you might struggle with answering. We feel that if you don’t get a start on the process in class, you could be less likely to complete it on your own.

Q. Why do you continue to make time for this volunteerism?

A. I am fortunate that Bank of the West encourages and provides us opportunities to volunteer in our work day. My mom was a big supporter of volunteering, so I grew up with a role model. I have been a Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, prayer cross volunteer, and supported several organizations over the years. I continue to volunteer

at YWCA because I want to help women realize their worth and help them on the road to financial success. We want them to go after a job with confidence and give them the tools to show their best self on paper and at the interview. I feel good when we hear someone we worked with got a job. If we helped in any way, that is worth it.

Q. What have you learned through your service?

A. I was naïve. I didn’t think we had trafficked women in our area. I had no idea the number of women and children who face homelessness and violence on a daily basis. We are fortunate in our area to have YWCA and other organizations reaching out to support our vulnerable citizens. If our classes contribute to women to get started on the road to financial recovery and a stable home, that is amazing.

Q. Anything else to add?

A. In addition to volunteering, I coordinate the scheduling of volunteers for these classes. We were fortunate to be able to continue to offer the classes virtually post-COVID, which allowed us to add volunteers across the country. We often have folks from California or Arizona assisting.

Over the years, our group has coordinated a few drives for YWCA: diaper, pajama, and back to school supply drives. I am proud to be a part of a company that supports these values, and to support the women at YWCA.

CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY AT

Lantern Light

This fall, approximately 60 adults and children will have a safe, newly renovated place to call home at Lantern Light: A YWCA Supported Residence.

YWCA purchased the former Sacred Heart Convent adjacent to the Emergency Shelter from our longtime partners the Sisters of the Presentation last summer. The $8 million renovation to transform the convent into 23 apartment homes began last August and is expected to be complete this October.

You can help families who will call Lantern Light home now and into the future.

This summer we will be inviting caring community members to “Shine a Light” at Lantern Light by providing families moving in

with all the comforts of home. You will have the opportunity to outfit an apartment by ordering housewares online, shopping locally, or making a financial gift. Email us to get involved— lanternlight@ywcacassclay.org

You are also invited to ignite an eternal flame at Lantern Light to ensure the supportive services survivors of violence and homelessness need are available when they need them. Through the support of generous people like you, YWCA is halfway to our goal of building a $6.2M endowment to support the families who will be served at Lantern Light into perpetuity. Contact Jill at 701.478.2250 or jdevries@ywcacassclay.org to learn more.

Our Deepest Gratitude

Jaye Abarr in honor of Amy Benedict

Krystal Abenroth in honor of Jennifer Swenson

Betsy and Chris Alberty in honor of Pastor Megan Tee

Brittany Alcaide in honor of her daughter, Luna

Brenda Amenson-Hill in honor of Dr. Anne Blackhurst and Dr. Kara Gravley-Stack

Rose and Don Andersen in memory of Ruth Herring

Cheryl Anderson in honor of Carmen Richard

Anonymous in honor of Marian Hilborn

Anonymous in honor of Michelle

Anonymous in honor of my sisters-in-law

Anonymous in honor of Soulful Spices - Girl Scout Gold Award Project

Anonymous in memory of Phyllis Stoa

Anonymous in honor of Michelle Parkinson, Pastor Megan Tee, Vanessa Gallagher, Britni Wyum, and Samantha Turner

Rachel Asleson in honor of Precious Garpeh-Dweh

Beth Astrup in honor of Jordan Wiedmann, Amy Reep, and Mary Daly

Sandra Badinger in honor of her mom

Sandra Badinger in memory of Josie Kolodejchuk

Chris Barta in honor of Cairn Reisch

Cassie Beedy in honor of Katie Beedy

Kathryn Benson in memory of Esther Allen

Erika Berg in honor of Addie Loerzel and Jen Swenson

Kari Bjorge in honor of Jennifer Swenson

Laura Bobier in honor of Rachel Riskedahl

Barbara and Paul Bougie in memory of Janice Buck

Nellie Brademeyer in honor of Heather Gades

Day Braun in honor of Suzanne Senske

Lois Briggs in memory of Connie Horn

Emily Brooks in honor of Chelsey Strand

Kelsey Buell in honor of Nicole Davidson

Tracee Buethner in memory of Scott Fossum

Kriss Burns in honor of Dr. Kara Gravley-Stack, Sally Jacobson, Sheri Larson, Amy Longtin, Sharon Miller, and Michelle Parkinson

Carol Buzalsky in memory of Judy Stengrim

Marlene Bye Dahl in memory of Polly Marshall

Liz Campbell in honor of Sophie Campbell

Laura and Cole Carley in honor of their granddaughters

Heather Carr in honor of Chelsey Strand

Cara Christenson in honor of Trisha Stibbe

Dallas Christiansen in honor of Sheri Larson

Elizabeth Christianson in honor of Pam Ramundt

Jill and Peter Christopher in honor of Sharon Miller

Lillian Cole in memory of Ann Dahl

Nicole Collins in honor of Rachel Thurs

Nicole and David Crutchfield in honor of Tanya RedRoad, Precious Garpeh-Dweh, and Kayla Jones

Crystal and David Dahl in honor of Karin Moberg and Helene Zelaya

Chris Daly in honor of Jordan Wiedmann

Christie Danielson in honor of Megan Tee

Eide Bailly LLP in memory of Connie Horn

Judy and Dale Degenstein in memory of Cindy Kanwischer Durrant

Julie DeRosier in honor of Sergeant Jesseca White

Jae Dewald in honor of Britni Wyum

Jae Dewald in honor of Adam

Mary Ellen and Arthur Diercks in memory of Robert Nyquist

Janet Drechsel in honor of Kate Syverson

Jodi Dworkin in memory of Connie Lee Horn

Jessica and Neil Ebeling in honor of June Hayer

Richard Engen and Renae Aarfor in memory of Josephine Aarfor

Jeanette and Tom Erickson in memory of Connie Horn

Cathy Evenson in honor of Helene Zelaya

Chelsey Ewen in honor of her mom, Kim, and her sisters, Alicia and Dana

Carol Forster in honor of Helene Zelaya

Ruth Francois in honor of Vanessa Gallagher

Tami Frie in honor of Cierra Bachmeier

Erin Froslie in honor of Anita Hoffarth

Carol and Rick Frovarp in honor of Michelle Parkinson

Jeremiah Gard in honor of Sally Jacobson

Lisa Gibson in honor of Samantha Turner

Julie Gilje in memory of Stacy Hundeby

Linda Gill in honor of Julie Norris

Stacey Gratton in honor of Paulette Rastedt

Douglas Griffin in honor of Kate Syverson and Kathy Lonski

Stephanie Gruchalla in honor of Elise Gruchalla

Stephanie Gruchalla in honor of Greta Gruchalla

Jennifer Grund in honor of Britni Wyum

Pam Guhlke in honor of Sheri Larson

Carol Gustad in memory of someone special

Cheryl Hackey in memory of Lois Moen

Heartland Trust Company in honor of Gary Hanson

Amy Hanson in honor of Sasha Holmes

Mitch Havig in honor of Cairn Reisch

Ty Hegland in honor of Hadley Hegland

Judi Herk in memory of Connie Horn

Jeff Herman in honor of Michelle Parkinson

Brianne Hilde in honor of Nicole Davidson

Jakelle and Nathan Hoffmann in honor of Jane Cornell

Sandra Holbrook in honor of Kara Gravley-Stack

Elizabeth Holcomb in honor of Virginia Duval

Jessica Hoppe in honor of Jen Swenson

Marie Hovland in honor of her mother

Megan Hovinen and Wyatt Steinke in honor of Katie Beedy

Jan Ihli in honor of Wendy Allen, Vanessa Gallagher, and Precious Garpeh-Dweh

Karla Isley in honor of Amy Longtin

Jan Jackson in memory of Connie Horn

Lisa Jaenisch in honor of Vanessa Gallagher

Kirsten Jensen in honor of Anne Blackhurst and Kara Gravley-Stack

Nichole Jeral in honor of Addie Loerzel

Jennifer Quist Johnsrud in honor of Rayonna Hystead

Erica Johnsrud in honor of Sharon Miller

Jennifer and Ryan Johnston in honor of Jean Pladson

Kristen Jones in honor of Kate Syverson

Emmet Kenney in honor of Jordan Wiedmann

Sonja Kjar in honor of Pastor Karin Moberg

Kathy Kleingartner in memory of Bernice Heyd

Bridget Knudson in honor of Ashley Erdmann

Kyja Kristjansson-Nelson in honor of Alice Christianson

Terri Kroll in honor of Aimee Zachrison

Anne and Bill Kuzas in honor of all the wonderful women

Tracy and Tim Leclair in honor of Britni Wyum

Laura Letnes in honor of Paulette Rastedt

Judy Lewis in honor of Katie Beedy and Sheri Larson

Broc Lietz in honor of Karen Lietz

Kristina Lindemann in honor of Jen Swenson

Tamra Maddock in honor of Jennifer Swenson

Debra Magnuson in honor of Sally Jacobson and Sharon Miller

Christine McClellan in honor of Katie Beedy

Kim Meyer in memory of Gloria Pechtel

A sincere thank you to those who have honored someone they care about with a gift to YWCA.

Molly Miller and Theresa Ruin in honor of Sharon Miller

Kristi Monson in honor of Dr. Anne Blackhurst and Dr. Kara Gravley-Stack

Tessa Moon Leiseth in honor of Pastor Karin Moberg and Pastor Megan Tee

Diane Morris in memory of Dorothy Post

Katie Munion in honor of Sharon Miller

Kari and Gary Myhre in honor of Arleen Braaten

Kjersten Nelson in honor of Precious Garpeh-Dweh

Margaret and Roger Nelson in memory of Dr. Debra Davis

Kord Nolte in honor of Katie Beedy

Signe Nystuen in honor of Britni Wyum

Anthony Ocana and Aileen Buslig in honor of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church

Prudence Olson in memory of Peggy Gaynor

Jessica Olson Miller and Brent Miller in honor of their mom and daughters

Katie Oster in honor of Aimee Zachrison

Laura Oster-Aaland in honor of Dr. Kara GravleyStack and Pastor Karin Moberg

Laurie Oyos in honor of Trisha Stibbe

Gloria Palm Connor in honor of Mary Sieben

Paragon Logistics in honor of Tara Bowen

Michele Parsons in honor of Nicole Davidson

Mari Peterson in honor of Amy Benedict

Kirsten Peterson in honor of Sharon Miller

Addisyn Pikop in honor of Vanessa Gallagher

Trina Pisk-Hall and Jason Hall in honor of Luayne Amunrud

Donna and Michael Podratz in memory of Esther Allen

Jeremy Pulling in honor of Michelle Pulling

Evelyn and Brian Quigley in honor of Dr. Anne Blackhurst

Lianne Rockstad in memory of Donna Sikorski

Lianne Rockstad in memory of Pat Askegaard

Amy Ruley in honor of Dr. Anne Blackhurst

Lucas Rutten in honor of Katie Beedy

Heather Rye in honor of Amy Benedict, Kate Syverson, and Pastor Megan Tee

Darcelle Sailer in honor of Nicole Davidson

Vonette and James Sanders in honor of Precious Garpeh-Dweh

Jolene Sauvageau in honor of Jennifer Swenson

Rachel Schall in honor of Nicole Davidson

Dr. Lori Scheel in memory of in memory of Mark Schneider and his love of Ireland on this St. Patrick’s Day 2023

Kathy Schommer in honor of Fargo Mom Writing Team

Mary Jo and Richard Sieg in memory of Avis Sigmund

Victoria Simonson in honor of Sharon Miller and her mom, Mary Ellen Kropp

Karen Skarpness in honor of Norean Hoots

Linda and Paul Skatvold in memory of Peggy Gaynor, Esther Allen, Virginia McLarnan

Karen Stensrud in honor of Erin and YWCA Staff

Adam Stibbe in honor of Trisha Stibbe

Stacy Swenson in honor of Jennifer Swenson

Elaine Swenson in honor of Jennifer Swenson

Kate Syverson in honor of Janet Drechsel

Sherman Syverson in honor of Kathy Lonski

Greg Tehven in honor of Christy Tehven

Gin Templeton in honor of Marjorie Schlossman

Erika Beseler Thompson in honor of Dr. Kara Gravley-Stack

Jennifer Thompson in honor of Julie Haugen

Sher Thomsen in honor of Lara Lunde

Ranelle Turman in memory of Tom Bogan

Demi Twiss in honor of Rachel Thurs

Kimberly and Michael Vannett in honor of Jordan Wiedmann

Mavis Wagner in honor of her mother, Miriam Vogel

Rebecca and Gregory Walen in honor of Laura Drake

Kyle Wang in honor of Cairn Reisch

Katherine Wangstad in honor of Helene Zelaya

Jennifer Wendt in honor of Amy Benedict

Erin and Andy Westby in honor of Jennifer Swenson

Abbey Wick in honor of Sally Jacobson

Sharon Williams in honor of Sharon Miller

Mike and Susan Williams in memory of Josephine Aarfor

Vanessa Williamson in honor of Katie Beedy

Duncan Williamson in honor of Marlene Kay Williamson

Kim Wold in honor of Pastor Karin Moberg

Carolyn and Wilbur Wright in honor of Erin Prochnow

Helene Zelaya in honor of Helen Kuhn

TOP NEEDS

You can donate the things women need on their journeys to independence.

The families we serve currently need:

Twin- and FullSize Sheets

(new and gently used)

Sunscreen, Deodorant, and Bug Spray Hygiene Items

(lotion, tampons, face & body wash, toothpaste, hair products, etc.)

Donations can be dropped off at YWCA Emergency Shelter M-F, 8AM-5PM, or shipped to 3000 S. University Drive, Fargo, ND 58103. Our full needs list + a link to YWCA’s Amazon Wish List can be found at ywcacassclay.org/urgent-needs

YWCA Cass Clay

4650 38th Ave. S, Suite 110 Fargo, ND 58104-8529

SAVE THE DATE!

CHOCOLATE FANTASY IS SEPTEMBER 7!

YWCA’s 40th annual Chocolate Fantasy will be held on Thursday, September 7 at the Delta by Marriott.

Make a difference for women and children in our community while enjoying sweet treats, savory chili, celebrity servers, and a silent auction full of great items for all!