St. Catherine University MIPS Office

03/08/2022

February 28, 1909, was marked as the first Women’s history day. What caused the acknowledgment of women was some of the first protests taking place in New York City starting on March 8, 1857. The women were protesting over the poor working conditions in factories. Over time, it gradually went from just being a day to a week and then a week to a month. In 1995, President Clinton declared that every March would be known as Women’s history month.

March is the month that we get to come together and celebrate Women’s History Month. Women’s history month is about celebrating the women who have made a difference in history, coming together, and uplifting each other. Every year, Women’s history month is given a new theme, and the theme for 2022 is “Providing healing, Promoting hope.” The theme is dedicated to the caregivers and frontline workers who have worked continuously throughout the pandemic. It is also in honor of all the women from different cultures who provided healing and hope throughout history.

Women’s history month is about supporting women. More importantly, we need to make sure that we uplift the women of color in our community. Here are ways that you can contribute to helping them:

Support women of color owned businesses and shops

Read books written by women of color who are sharing their experiences that others have also faced; a few books you can look at are
“Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women In American” by Melissa Harris-Perry
“You Don’t Have To Like Me: Essays on Growing Up Speaking Out, and Finding Feminism” by Alida Nugent
“Drifting House” by Krys Lee

Support foundations and organizations created to support women of color
Women of color have been neglected throughout history and it is important to start acknowledging them and everything they do to contribute to the world

05/24/2021

“Graduates - Who got you through your journey?"

Graduation is a special moment. A moment when new adventures begins and dreams become a reality. It is a time to celebrate the achievements of our graduating St. Kate's students. We asked graduates to submit a photos of all those who have helped and inspired them on their journey to Commencement. They didn't get to this point alone, and couldn't have done this without you. Family, friends, mentors, and all loved ones: here is a compilation video to say, "Thank you".

Watch Here:

Graduation is a special moment. A moment when new adventures begins and dreams become a reality. It is a time to celebrate the achievements of our graduating...

05/12/2021

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History and Heritage Month! Let us celebrate and recognize the diverse history, culture, traditions, achievements, resiliency, and contributions of the AANHPI community. As we have seen recent national events of Anti-Asian hate and Anti-Asian rhetoric, it is important that we recognize the longstanding realities of such bias, racism, and discrimination against AANHPI communities, while also amplifying the voices of these communities when we can. We stand in solidarity with our AANHPI communities at St. Kate's, Twin Cities community, and globally on these critical issues of equity and justice.

04/27/2021

The month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, and as we honor the lives, experiences, cultures, and contributions of the AAPI community, we must address the historical and recent rise of violence and anti AAPI hate crimes. Join us as we watch the recent film by the Try Guys and participate in an in-depth conversation about the complex, often untold stories of the AAPI communities, the unique struggles they face, and find out how you can help to .

Wednesday April 28th 4:00 P.M.

In Bio Zoom link: https://stkate.zoom.us/j/95975753572

04/15/2021

Tomorrow, Thursday, April 15th join local activists in an important conversation about abolition activism and what defunding the police really looks like.

Special Guest:
•Dr. Soojin Pate - MPD 150
•Jael Kerandi - University of MN
•D.A. Bullock - Reclaim the Block

Register at bit.ly/AbolitionActivism

04/14/2021

Dear MIPS Community,

To our dear Muslim students, faculty, staff, and community, and to all Muslims around the world, we wish you a blessed Ramadan. May the blessings of this month lead to prosperity and peace that lights up your world!

For those of you who haven't heard of Ramadan, Muslims around the world observe a month of fasting based on the sighting of the new crescent moon which signifies the official first day of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a sacred month and Muslims around the world who are able will be fasting from sun up to sun down for the next 30 days. The start of Ramadan fluctuates each year because the lunar Islamic calendar follows the phases of the moon. Today begins the first day of this holy month

As we enter the second Ramadan during a pandemic, we wanted to remind those observing this month, to be kind to yourselves, communicate your needs to your peers, faculty, and staff, and most importantly to remind you that we have a religious accommodation policy so please utilize it as it fits your needs for this month or the coming holiday.

Religious Accommodation Policy (for all religions) Authored by Sadia Farah '19:
https://catalog.stkate.edu/policies/stu-acad/grad/attendance/religious-holiday/

With peace and blessings,

MIPS Staff

04/13/2021

Dear MIPS Community,

Another tragic death at the hands of the police - this time in Brooklyn Center this past weekend. In the midst of an internationally televised trial of the first white police officer charged with the murder of an unarmed Black man in the state of Minnesota, we watch yet again as another white officer shot and killed Daunte Wright, a young unarmed Black man after a traffic stop.

What can we say that has not been said over and over again? We share our empathy, rage, sadness and a host of other emotions with all of you as well as our deep condolences with the family and friends of Daunte Wright. Although details vary, the feelings that accompany these tragic events are not new. It is a pain felt by many in the BIPOC community for generations. We stand in solidarity with the family of Daunte Wright, with the family of George Floyd, with the Black community, and all of you who have been affected by police violence and brutality.

Please know we are here to listen and offer support. We are holding a virtual space through the MIPS Virtual Couch to be in community, talk, grieve and discuss next steps. Please join Amal Warsame, Assistant Director, this Thursday, April 15th at 6:00 p.m.

Here is the link to the MIPS Couch:
https://meet.google.com/ttt-kodj-aqy

We will continually fight for racial and social justice as we honor the memories of all the lives lost to acts of hate, implicit bias, and systemic violence in the United states. Rest in peace and power, Daunte Wright!

03/17/2021

Dear St. Kate’s Community,

The staff of MIPS and the various advisors to the Asian Women Association (AWA) and SHE Pab stand in solidarity with our Asian American students, faculty, staff and community. The shooting that took place in Atlanta, Georgia yesterday adds to the many hateful and racist acts of violence against Asian Americans in our country. Anti-Asian racism and hate crimes have surged 150% in the last year and we cannot ignore the fact that anti-Asian hate and violence disproportionately impacts women.

Although the gunman (who shall not be named to not give him any notoriety) claimed that race was not a motivation, yet we know that of the eight people killed, six were Asian American Women.

Some of you may be feeling anger, sadness, fear, numbness, and a host of other emotions and we just want to let you know that we are here for you as allies and a resource.

At St.Kate's we denounce ALL acts of hate, especially those fueled by racism and misogyny. Please reach out to any of us if you need anything - even if you are not sure what that is at this point, don't hesitate to be in touch.

Amal Warsame, Jewelly Lee, and Kim Munoz will be hosting an on the couch virtual hour tomorrow Thursday 03/18 at 4:00 P.M. to give space for all of us to talk about what happened and anything that might be on your minds.

We are here with you.
•MIPS Virtual Couch Link in bio.

In Solidarity,
Amal, Kim, Donna, & Nienke [MIPS Staff], Neela [Global Studies, AWA advisor], Corrine [Alumni Relations, AWA Advisor], Jewelly [Center for Women, ShePab Advisor].

02/16/2021

The Black community's achievements are countless, and their pivotal role in our society has gone unnoticed throughout the greater part of American history. While we are honored to spend the month of February celebrating the resilience, life, and legacy of Black Americans who paved the way for equity and unity, we recognize that Black History Month is American History worth celebrating all year long! Take some time to read and study the amazing work and inspiring stories of the unsung heroes, the instrumental changemakers, and the builders of a great future for all.

02/10/2021

Welcome to Spring Semester, we hope you all are settling in well.

“We’re glad you’re here.”

This phrase takes on new meaning following a year filled with hundreds of thousands of deaths due to a global pandemic and violence that takes lives by the minute.

We ARE glad you are here…. at St. Kate’s, part of the MIPS family, and a part of a community of scholars, activists, and global citizens.

We are saddened not to be able to welcome you in person in our office, provide hospitality, shake your hand or give you a hug. We realize these are challenging times for mental and physical health, where we are spending more time with screens than with friends. Yet, we continue to journey, together. Discovering new ways of learning and being, “creating something new”.

As we celebrate Black History Month and the contributions of Black Americans. We experienced a historic inauguration with our first BIPOC Vice President and young Black poet laureate! A new and more diverse administration ushers in hope for equity and inclusion. This past weekend, female coaches and a referee were on the field at the Super Bowl – another first!

Whether this is your first semester at St.Kate’s or you are returning, we look forward to connecting - whether through our MIPS Virtual Couch, our On the Couch Series, or the Peer Mentor Program, over a weekend BIPOC Spring Virtual Retreat (a new venture), or honoring our May and December BIPOC graduates - stay tuned.

Please know we are each available, to meet, to listen, to learn, to celebrate, to challenge and support, to grieve, to vent or rage, to question, to wonder, to dream.

Thank you for being here and for allowing us to be here with you and for you.

The MIPS Team

Amal, Donna, Kim and Nienke

01/12/2021

We always return to the values of our founders. We couldn't have said it better.

𝐔.𝐒. 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭. 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐥

The U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph joins with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in praying for peace after witnessing the violence and terrorism yesterday in our nation’s Capitol. We are deeply concerned about the state of our country and the future of our democracy. Our hearts ached as we watched white nationalists participate in these despicable actions that threaten not only to destroy our government but to rend the bonds that unite us. We commend and thank the members of Congress and staff who courageously continued their service to the nation last night even amid the chaos, as well as the law enforcement who helped protect and secure the building so the members could resume their responsibilities.

In our increasingly divided nation, we are saddened but not surprised by the predictable outcome of yesterday’s events. The Federation renews our Gospel Charism and commitment to being a unifying presence in the world through appreciation of diversity, transformation, and healing.

At this time, we feel each of us are asked to pause, reflect, and grapple with the history and legacy that brought us to this historic moment of white domestic terrorists attempting to take over our legislative branch. As Christians, we cannot ignore the images of the cross and flags bearing Jesus’ name that peppered yesterday’s scene. We cannot ignore the juxtaposition of the law enforcement response to yesterday’s violence at the Capitol versus the violence inflicted on Black Lives Matter protestors in June. We invite all people of good will to reflect on the next steps we must take to repair our democracy, eliminate white privilege, and contribute to the work of building a more perfect union.

The U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph joins with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in praying for peace after witnessing the violence and terrorism yesterday in our nation’s Capitol. We are deeply concerned about the state of our country and the future of our democracy. Our h...