Women's History Month Event and Women's Hall of Fame Inductions March 4 at Bemidji State University - Dr. Kathleen Annette and Susan Mills to be Honored

January 30, 2006 - BEMIDJI -- March is nationally recognized as Women's History Month and it will be kicked off again this year with an Opening Celebration at Bemidji State University (BSU). The event will take place on Saturday, March 4th at 11:00 a.m. along with the 2006 Northwest Minnesota Women's Hall of Fame induction ceremony, honoring Dr. Kathleen Annette of Bemidji and Susan Mills of Crookston.

This year's theme for the opening ceremony is "Uppity Women: Builders of Communities and Dreams." The event includes lunch and takes place in the Beaux Arts Ballroom on the campus in Bemidji.

The day will feature a historical program by Dr. Carol Richards, Associate Professor of Communication Arts at Bemidji State University, who will present the biographical story of, "Ada: The First Computer Programmer," who was one of the most picturesque characters in mathematics and computer history.

Dr. Richards is interested in how we function to communicate by negotiating meaning with each other. Current research interests include storytelling, interpersonal communication and listening. She performs enactments of various female personalities.

The induction ceremony will follow lunch and the event will end at 2 p.m.

Now in its eighth year, the Hall of Fame is a collaborative project sponsored by the Northwest Minnesota Women's Fund, a component of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, and BSU. The Hall of Fame provides permanent recognition for women of northwestern Minnesota who have made significant contributions to art, athletics, business, government, philanthropy, humanities, science or education.

The deadline to purchase tickets is Wednesday, March 1st. Tickets are $20 each, including lunch, and are available by calling Pam at the BSU Cashier's Office during business hours at 218-755-3993 or 1-877-346-2539. Visa, Mastercard, and Discover are accepted.

"The women in the Hall of Fame are exemplary role models who have made a positive and significant impact on the social fabric of northwest Minnesota," said Dr. Patricia Rosenbrock, director of women's studies and the Women's Center at BSU. "Each has left a legacy that will endure far into the future."

Dr. Kathleen Annette is a member of the White Earth Band of Chippewa Indians. She grew up on the Red Lake Indian Reservation and graduated from Red Lake High School. She continued her education at the University of Minnesota, pioneering the way for Indian women by becoming the first female Ojibwe Indian physician in the state of Minnesota. Her home has been in Bemidji since 1989.

In 1986, Dr. Annette began her public service career path with the federal government as a medical officer at the Public Health Service Indian Hospital at Cass Lake, Minnesota, providing direct patient services and continuity of care. She is a very talented, caring physician who naturally advanced into leadership positions.

By 1990, she was promoted and became Area Director of the Bemidji Area Indian Health Service (IHS). In this capacity, she works with 34 Tribal and five Urban Indian programs that provide health care to over 95,000 beneficiaries in a five state region. She is directly responsible for the federal oversight of these health programs and works in collaboration with local, state, and federal entities on public health, prevention and intervention activities and initiatives. Within the greater Bemidji community she continues to be a strong advocate for public health initiatives and addressing health disparities for all citizens.

At the national level, Dr. Annette has participated in numerous workgroups that affect IHS national policy. Most recently, she chaired an IHS committee addressing the health concerns of the urban Indian population and currently serves as vice-chair on the National Director's Executive Council charged to provide national policy development.

Dr. Annette has been nationally recognized and received numerous awards for her endeavors, including selection as a recipient of the Presidential Rank Award, the Jake White Crow Award, and as a finalist for the US Medicine Berry Prize for her compassion and contributions to improving the health care of American Indian people. This year, she was inducted into the Academy of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota and is the first woman to be so honored.

She has impacted Indian health locally through her work as a physician and civic activities developing American Indian leaders. She served for twelve years on the Blandin Foundation Board of Trustees and is an inspirational role model, committed to mentoring and encouraging Indian youth to complete their education and consider health careers. She currently is serving on the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors in Bemidji as well as the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation board.

In 2005, the Red Lake Nation recognized Dr. Annette for her exceptional efforts to assist the tribe during the aftermath of the March 21st Red Lake High School tragedy. Dr. Annette immediately responded to Red Lake's request to provide assistance. She spent countless hours on the Red Lake Reservation working with the tribal council and various federal, state and local programs. Because of her commitment and compassion, she was accepted as an honorary member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, the first woman and only the third person ever to receive this tribute from the tribe, according to tribal secretary Judy Roy.

Through Dr. Annette's leadership, advocacy, education and quest for excellence, she has significantly contributed to raising the health status of American Indian and Alaskan Native people. She is an extraordinary professional; a woman of integrity and conviction, known for "doing what is right."

Susan Mills is the executive director of Tri-County Corrections in Crookston, Minnesota, who is known for her dedication to the community, both professionally and personally. She began her career at Tri-County in 1976 as the research training coordinator. At the start, Mills was joining a male-dominated profession. She became a pioneer for those women following her lead. She is dedicated to her profession, her employees and the community, striving to make the world a better place through her 30 years of service to the community.

Mills has always gone above and beyond looking for new opportunities and funding sources for corrections and prevention services for northwest Minnesota. In 1980, Mills joined the board of directors and served as president of a nonprofit program called "The Sexual Assault Program," which later became "Project Safe." She assisted in the development, planning and implementation of this program, which offered support and assistance to victims of sexual assault and family violence.

In 1982 Mills became involved in the development of a new program for Tri-County called Special Workers Assisting Treatment or S.W.A.T. II program. It was designed to provide additional supervision and programming to adolescents assigned to probation through the Court system, and was unique in that it provided services during the evening and weekend hours, a first in this area of the State. Mills was named Director of the program in 1983.

Mills convened a group of individuals from the corrections agencies, Polk County, local school districts and the Judiciary to discuss the resources being used for juvenile out of county placements. The result of this effort was the idea of the Alternative Learning Center. With funds provided by a McKnight Foundation grant and matching funds from partners, the Learning Center evolved.

Currently, Mills serves as an active member of the Crookston School Board, to which she was elected in 2000. Among her many accomplishments is starting the Restorative Justice program, helping with the plan and construction of the Red River Valley Juvenile Center in Crookston, and currently, working in the planning and development of the new Polk County Justice Center and jail.

Mills is a dedicated member of her community and role model for all who know her. She has had a significant inpact through local and state organizations and is active politically, lobbying for issues that relate to corrections and northwest Minnesota. Russell A. Anderson, Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, supported Mills' nomination in a letter to the selection committee. He wrote, "When I think of the leaders that I served with during my time on the district court bench in Crookston, Susan Mills stands out as one of the most effective leaders in advancing the interests of Northwestern Minnesota. She is an outstanding professional in every respect and a wonderful person."

ABOUT THE HALL OF FAME

An original oil portrait of each honoree has been commissioned and will be unveiled at the induction ceremony. Following the event, the portraits and a record of each woman's contributions will be added to the Hall of Fame, which hangs on the fourth floor in the A.C. Clark Library at BSU. A traveling display is available, on loan, to interested groups throughout the region.

Annette and Mills are the eighth group of women inducted into the Hall. Previous inductees include: Olga Peterson, Clearbrook, a retired elementary teacher and principal, community leader and visionary; Velma Oakland, Red Lake Falls, a longtime DFL activist and mentor to many women in politics; Nancy Burggraf, Roseau, a renowned female power skating instructor and role model; Esther Fieldman, Park Rapids, the first woman elected to the Minnesota legislature from Hubbard County and a community activist; Paula W. Bruss Bauck, Roseau, groundbreaking girls' sports coach; Mae Barness, Bagley, pioneer rural educator and humanitarian; Dr. Mary Chapman Ghostley, Puposky, pioneering female physician and women's rights advocate; Anne M. Dunn, Cass Lake, activist, Ojibwe author and storyteller; Margaret Marvin, Warroad, library services proponent and educator; Esther Burnett Horne, American Indian advocate, educator and cultural bridge builder; Gretchen Urnes Beito, Thief River Falls, author and historian; Ruth Edevold, Bagley, regional leader and community activist; Coya Knutson, U.S. Congresswoman and DFL Party activist; Helen Gill, Bemidji businesswoman and community activist; and Hazel Wahlberg, Roseau, teacher and author of regional history.

Hall of Fame nominations are solicited annually from throughout the region. Each inductee's achievements must be of lasting value to society, significant groups within the region or to the progress and freedom of women. More information and a complete schedule of Women's History Month events are available by contacting Dr. Patricia Rosenbrock, director of women's studies (218-755-2766, e-mail, prosenbrock@bemidjistate.edu) or visit www.nwmf.org/wfund_whf.php

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation invests resources, creates opportunities and promotes philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work.