On a pure blue sky day at “The Kitch”, President Elaine Hansen called our meeting to order, welcoming Rotary Club 25 members and guests. Past President John Baumgarten led attendees in singing “America the Beautiful” to kick off the business of the day. Elizabeth Simonson’s invocation included a sweet story in honor of Mother’s Day and shared a message of respect for the women in our lives, including our fellow Rotarians, all who’ve made a difference in diverse and meaningful ways locally and globally. Past President Bob Bennett recognized our visiting Rotarians including Exchange Students, Picha, Philipp and Louli, our own Rotaract leader Jireh Mabamba, and Assistant District Governor Warren Bender and Rebecca Wilberg from Superior Rotary Club #40. A roomful of guests were warmly greeted, including Louise Levy, CHUM’s own Mary Schmitz and Liz Strohmeyer, as well as guests Sara Pohjola, Douglas Kman, Kayla Docken, Marius Anderson and Doris Malkmus. How wonderful that Steve Yorde, Bruce Anderson, Charley Korsch, Geiger Yount and Past President Phil Strom hosted these guests today. Bob also brought forth Golden Can kicks from Past President Dick Olson for his grandson’s baseball prowess, Jireh for his UMD commencement speech and DNT cover story, and Catherine Carter Huber and Jeff Iisakka for their respective companies’ contributions to the Lake Superior Zoo’s python-examining X-ray equipment! Lastly, Bob mentioned that the Run Smelt Run’s Smelt Queen will be crowned this Sunday for anyone who wishes to make their Mother’s Day even more memorable. This year’s Trip Raffle is intended to be more exciting than ever, as Ryan Johnson announced that 375 tickets will be sold at $100 each… and the top prize winner on June 15th will receive 20% of the purse. Congratulations to Earl Rogers who has already sold ten tickets! As a delightful surprise (especially to the honoree), Dick Pelinka and President-Elect Tricia Bunten presented President Elaine Hansen with Rotary’s esteemed “Service Above Self Award.” President Elaine was lauded for leading Club 25 through a year of tremendous change (office location, meeting venue, new staff, meeting structure and future vision) and received a standing ovation for her positive impact. Dick Pelinka and President-Elect Tricia Bunten presented President Elaine Hansen with the “Service Above Self” award. Jireh Mabamba shared meaningful and memorable remarks of gratitude, thanking Rotary Club 25 for sponsoring him as an exchange student five years ago, and serving as champions and role models, enabling him to attend and graduate from UMD in Marketing and Organizational Management. Kayla Docken (fiancé of Jireh), Jireh Mabamba and Holly Sampson celebrate Jireh’s recent graduation and engagement. Chana Stocke announced that Friday Fellowship Breakfast Chef Dick Pelinka will no longer be making the meals per Northland CC’s new rules. For now, these breakfasts will continue at Northland, but all are requested to complete the forthcoming survey seeking your input for future Fellowship events planning. Bontia Nelson, Club 25 first woman member, Lyn Kenney, President-Elect Tricia Bunten and President Elaine Hansen represent the impact women have made on Rotary and Club 25. After a quick reminder and demo of the nifty ClubRunner App for smartphones, and a reminder to submit speaker ideas to Program Chair Past President Dick Carlson, Chairperson of the Day and President-Elect Tricia Bunten introduced our accomplished speaker, Lyn Kenney. Drawing from her membership experience in multiple Rotary Clubs (including as one of the original six women in the Madison Rotary), and service on District and National roles, Ms. Kenney painted a vivid picture of the relentless struggle faced by women to become official members of Rotary since its inception in 1905. For over 76 years until 1987, passionate and determined women worked tirelessly to ultimately secure membership acceptance. A few fascinating milestones shared: · Rotary was started by Paul Harris in Chicago in 1905. · There was no mention of gender in the original Rotary Constitution in 1906. · At the 1910 convention, sixteen clubs discussed women being admitted, but the motion was denied. · A few women’s only “Rotary-type” clubs began meeting, including Duluth’s group founded by Irene “Ida” Buell. (That club met from 1911-1917.) · Duluth hosted the 1912 Rotary Int’l Convention, with 50 clubs and 2 international clubs in attendance! · Edwina Nichols became the first official woman Rotary Club Member in Idaho after her Rotarian husband died. As the owner of a local auto dealership, no one told her she couldn’t belong, as too many members owed her money! · In 1976, the Duarte, CA Rotary Club (with 8 members) invited 3 women to join, using only their first initials and last names in correspondence. Thus began their club’s “Mouse That Roared” moniker that remains to this day. This paved the way for other women’s clubs eventually securing a favorable ruling from the US Supreme Court in 1987. · The first women Rotary District Governors served in 1995. Women Rotarians now number 262,230, making a difference alongside their Rotarian brethren worldwide. · Duluth’s first woman Rotarian was our own Bonita Nelson, who was recognized at our meeting today. · Ms. Kenney closed by reminding us that we are ALL Rotarians, serving humanity together. President Elaine thanked Lyn for her presentation and noted that the book “Little Red Riding Hood” will be donated in her honor to Lowell Elementary School. The meeting concluded with Elizabeth Simonson winning the 50/50 Raffle. Happy Mother’s Day to everyone!
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