Jo Ann A. Mathews's Blog, page 8

Women and Adversity: 21st Century Women Xiomara Castro President of Honduras

Xiomara Castro, President of Honduras (CHTV)

 

Women and Adversity:
21st Century Women
Xiomara Castro
President of Honduras

Xiomara (pronounced See⸍ o mar ah) Castro was elected president of Honduras on November 28, 2021, the first woman president of the country. She was installed in January 2022 but has a tough road to pave despite her promises of “extinguishing the pain and suffering of our Honduran people.”

Honduras, the second poorest Central American country after Nicaragua, is beset by crime, the drug cartel, corruption and poverty. About 74 percent of the nearly 10 million residents live in poverty. The country has the highest rate of women being killed because of their gender. Migration is the primary method of residents to combat their plight.

The countries of Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua border Honduras as does the Pacific Ocean and an inlet from the Caribbean Sea. Its capital is Tegucigalpa (pronounced Ta goo⸍ see galpa), the largest city in the country.

Castro has no government experience except for being married to Manuel Zelaya, who was president of Honduras from 2006-2009. He was ousted in a coup because he wanted to amend the Constitution. He was deported to Costa Rica, and Roberto Micheletti was installed as president.

What does Castro plan to do to change the abominable state of her country? She made 18 promises she said she’d keep if elected president. One hundred days later she kept four of them:

Pardoning prisoners – of the 22,000 imprisoned, less than half had received verdicts and sentences.Eliminating the employment and development zones – these had allowed investors to establish financial and other policies giving them autonomy.Subsidizing 100 percent of the energy consumption of the poorest families — Honduras’ Parliament approved an initiative to cover more than one million people.Establishing a General Department of Economic Planning and Social Development –this includes a Department of Women — the new government eliminated 17 agencies and other programs and projects to create 24 departments.

Castro also proposed creating an international anti-graft commission backed by the U.N. The U.N. agreed and plans to send a mission to Honduras. She also proposed to ease the country’s total abortion ban, but the chances of this happening is unlikely.

  Bio of X iomara Castro:

Born in Tegucigalpa in 1959Attended school in Tegucigalpa at San José del Carmen Institute and the María Auxiliadora InstituteEarned a degree in business administrationwithout attending universityAfter marrying Zelaya and moving to Catacamas, organized the women’s branch of the Liberal Party of Honduras

Political Career:

2006-2009 – as First Lady oversaw the social welfare programs2009 – led the protest movement to return Zelaya to power2013 – ran for president as the candidate for the Libre Party; did not win2017 – running mate of presidential candidate Salvador Nasralla; lost the election

Personal life:

Married Manuel Zelaya in 1976The couple has four children

Learn more about Xiomara Castro:

Get to know Honduras’ first woman president Xiomara Castro – Bing video
Xiomara Castro’s First 100 days in the Honduran Presidency – Havana Times
Honduras: Xiomara Castro’s Government, Advancing Along a Mined Road – Orinoco Tribune – News and opinion pieces about Venezuela and beyond

 

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Women and Adversity: Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland

Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of      Iceland (Iceland)

     Women and Adversity:
     21st Century Women
     Katrín Jakobsdóttir
     Prime Minister of Iceland

Another example of a woman who has become leader of her country is Katrín Jakobsdóttir (pronounced jack obs deh⸍ tier), prime minister of Iceland since 2017. We have all heard of Iceland, but I only learned more about it because Jakobsdóttir is a world woman leader.

Iceland is an island country in the North Atlantic between North America and     Europe. Scotland is its nearest neighbor but still 500 miles away. Reykjavík is its capital. A mere 360,000 residents, most of whom live in Reykjavík, inhabit the island’s 40,000 square miles (103,000 square km). It is the least inhabited country in Europe.

Jakobsdóttir, 46, has the reputation of being the most trusted politician in Iceland. She is an advocate for women and equal rights, chair of the Left-Green Movement, an environmentalist and proponent of climate change and chair of the Council of Women World Leaders. She opposes membership in NATO, although the country will remain a member. She also opposes joining the European Union. The diligent readers will find out why!

Katrín Jakobsdóttir:

Born February 1, 1976 in Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital1999 – earned bachelor’s degree from University of Iceland, major in Icelandic, minor in French2004 – master’s degree in Icelandic literature from U. of Iceland1999 – 2003 – language adviser at the news agency RÚV2004 – 2006 – freelance writer2004 – 2007 – taught life-long learning and leisure at Mimir School2005 – 2007 – lecturer at universities

Political Career:

2003 – deputy chair of Left-Green Movement2013 – now – chair of Left-Green Movement2009-2013 – minister of education, science and culture; minister of Nordic co-operation2017 – November, mandated to lead the government2020 – appointed chair of the Council of Women World Leaders

Personal life:

Married to Gunnar Örn SigvaldasonThree sons

Learn more about her:

Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister, Iceland – YouTube
Katrín Jakobsdóttir – Wp2032
www.facebook.com/VGKatrinJakobsdottir

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Women and Adversity: Victoire Tomegah Dogbé

Victoire Tomegah Dogbé, Prime Minister of Togo (togofirst.com)

Women and Adversity:
 21st Century Women
Victoire Tomegah Dogbé
Prime Minister of Togo

The more I read about women in power worldwide, I realize that many are appointed. After the appointment, some must be elected by the ruling body, but few are elected by the country’s population. The growing trend for this phenomenon is in developing nations, especially in Africa.

After you read this post, let me know what your thoughts are on emerging women leaders around the world.

These countries have different councils and departments with names Americans don’t readily recognize. Their leaders have difficult names to pronounce. Most leaders around the world speak English and their native languages, but I couldn’t find evidence that today’s featured woman, Victoire Tomegah Dogbé, prime minister of Togo, speaks English. She does speak French.

She, like other women leaders, has many years in the political arena by working with the United Nations, children and youth and is under the leadership of a long-term leader. She is said to be highly respected and brings impressive credentials to the office. She, like most of these women leaders, accrue wealth, in some cases multi-millions, once they enter politics or achieve a high office. Some facts about their family, education and marital status are incomplete. The women are often quoted as saying they don’t want to reveal their private lives. That is what Victoire Tomegah Dogbé  (pronounced Vic tuar⸍  Tow may⸍  dah⸍ fay) says.

In September 2020, she was appointed Prime Minister of Togo, a country of  8.8 million people in western Africa, the first woman to hold the office. At the time she was director of the cabinet of the President and minister of grassroots Development, Handicrafts, Youth and Youth Employment.

Victoire Tomegah Dogbé:

Born December 23, 1959 in Lomé, Togo’s capital1978 – joined the faculty of Economics and Management at University of Lomé1982 – earned a master’s degree in economics and management from University of Lomé1986-1992 – Industries Togolaise des Plastiques (ITP) in various positions1988 – diploma in marketing, specializing in general management finance at Jutland Technology Institute, Aarhus, Denmark1992-1994 – In charge of Shell’s network in Togo1994-1998 – Management of ITP

Political Career:

1998-2002 – Assistant Resident Representative in charge of United Nations Development Program (UNDP) operations in Togo2002-2004 – Assistant Resident Representative in charge of UNDP operations in Congo-Brazzaville2004-2007 – Deputy Resident Representative in charge of UNDP operations in Burkina Faso2007-2008 – Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Benin2008-2020 – Minister to the president in charge of development2020 – Appointed Prime Minister

Personal life:

Married, as stated on Twitter @OluomoofderbyFour daughters

Learn more about her:

Victoire Dogbé | Facebook
Victory Sidémého Tomégah-Dogbé – Primature (gouv.tg)
Victoire Tomegah-Dogbe is the first ever female prime minister of Togo – Fae2Face Africa
Victoire Tomegah Dogbe named as Togo’s first female Prime Minister | CNN

 

 

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Women and Adversity: Sahle-Work Zewde

Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Ethiopia (Official photo)

Women and Adversity:
21st Century Women
   Sahle-Work Zewde
President of Ethiopia

I’ve never been to Ethiopia, a landlocked country in the eastern part of Africa, which became a democratic republic in 1995. I know its capital is Addis Ababa, but I don’t know much else about it, so I was pleased to read that a woman was elected president for the first time in 2018. Sahle-Work Zewde (Sa ⸍lay-Work Zoo⸍day), was appointed then approved by its Parliament when Mulatu Teshome resigned the position unexpectedly. Although the position is ceremonial, it’s a step forward for this male dominated nation and its 121 million people.

Sahle-Work (This is the proper way to refer to her) joins the administration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who has filled his cabinet with women. Gender equality in Ethiopia is one of Sahle-Work’s goals. In a speech to Parliament when she was approved as president, she said, “If the current change in Ethiopia is headed equally by both men and women, it can sustain its momentum and realize a prosperous Ethiopia free of religious, ethnic and gender discrimination.” Then at her swearing-in ceremony, she said, “I know today I have said a lot about female empowerment but expect me to be even more vocal in the coming years about female rights and equality.” She is expected to serve two six-year terms. She is another rare woman who has been in the political and diplomatic arena throughout her career. She says her father told her that there is nothing a woman can’t do.

Sahle-Work Zewde:

Born February 21, 1950 in Addis AbabaOldest of four daughtersHer Twitter account mentions brothers, but I think she uses “brother” as a generic termAttended elementary and secondary school at the French school Lycée Guébré-Mariam in Addis AbabaGraduated from University of Montpellier, France with a degree in natural sciencesShe is fluent in Amharic, which is an Ethiopian language, French and English

 Career: (Specific dates and information are difficult to find.)

Began in the Ministry of Education1988, Ministry of Foreign Affairs1989-1993, Ethiopian ambassador to Senegal, but also had accreditation to Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Guinea and Mali1993-2002, Ambassador to Djibouti and permanent representative to Intergovernmental Authority on DevelopmentAmbassador to France, Tunisia and Morocco (no dates available)Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the African Union

  United Nations roles from 2009:

United Nations Economic Commission for AfricaUntil 2011, Special Representative of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moonHead of United Nations Integrated Peace-building Office in the Central African Republic2011, appointed Director-General of United Nations Office at Nairobi2018, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Sahle-Work Special Representative to the African Union and Head of United Nations Office to the African Union. This position is at the level of Under- Secretary General of the United Nations, the first woman to hold both of these offices.

Actions since President:

March 2020, pardoned more than 4,000 prisoners to curb COVID-19April 2020, pardoned 1,500 more. No reason givenDecember 2020, commuted death sentences of Derg regime, which collapsed in 1991

Personal life:

MarriedTwo children

Learn more about her:

Sahle-Work Zewde (@SahleWorkZewde) / Twitter
www.entrepreneurs.ng/sahle-work-zewde
https://thewomenleaders.com/sahle-work-zewde

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Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Ethiopia (Official photo)W...

Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Ethiopia (Official photo)

Women and Adversity:
21st Century Women
   Sahle-Work Zewde
President of Ethiopia

I’ve never been to Ethiopia, a landlocked country in the eastern part of Africa, which became a democratic republic in 1995. I know its capital is Addis Ababa, but I don’t know much else about it, so I was pleased to read that a woman was elected president for the first time in 2018. Sahle-Work Zewde (Sa ⸍lay-Work Zoo⸍day), was appointed then approved by its Parliament when Mulatu Teshome resigned the position unexpectedly. Although the position is ceremonial, it’s a step forward for this male dominated nation and its 121 million people.

Sahle-Work (This is the proper way to refer to her) joins the administration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who has filled his cabinet with women. Gender equality in Ethiopia is one of Sahle-Work’s goals. In a speech to Parliament when she was approved as president, she said, “If the current change in Ethiopia is headed equally by both men and women, it can sustain its momentum and realize a prosperous Ethiopia free of religious, ethnic and gender discrimination.” Then at her swearing-in ceremony, she said, “I know today I have said a lot about female empowerment but expect me to be even more vocal in the coming years about female rights and equality.” She is expected to serve two six-year terms. She is another rare woman who has been in the political and diplomatic arena throughout her career. She says her father told her that there is nothing a woman can’t do.

Sahle-Work Zewde:

Born February 21, 1950 in Addis AbabaOldest of four daughtersHer Twitter account mentions brothers, but I think she uses “brother” as a generic termAttended elementary and secondary school at the French school Lycée Guébré-Mariam in Addis AbabaGraduated from University of Montpellier, France with a degree in natural sciencesShe is fluent in Amharic, which is an Ethiopian language, French and English

 Career: (Specific dates and information are difficult to find.)

Began in the Ministry of Education1988, Ministry of Foreign Affairs1989-1993, Ethiopian ambassador to Senegal, but also had accreditation to Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Guinea and Mali1993-2002, Ambassador to Djibouti and permanent representative to Intergovernmental Authority on DevelopmentAmbassador to France, Tunisia and Morocco (no dates available)Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the African Union

  United Nations roles from 2009:

United Nations Economic Commission for AfricaUntil 2011, Special Representative of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moonHead of United Nations Integrated Peace-building Office in the Central African Republic2011, appointed Director-General of United Nations Office at Nairobi2018, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Sahle-Work Special Representative to the African Union and Head of United Nations Office to the African Union. This position is at the level of Under- Secretary General of the United Nations, the first woman to hold both of these offices.

Actions since President:

March 2020, pardoned more than 4,000 prisoners to curb COVID-19April 2020, pardoned 1,500 more. No reason givenDecember 2020, commuted death sentences of Derg regime, which collapsed in 1991

Personal life:

MarriedTwo children

Learn more about her:

Sahle-Work Zewde (@SahleWorkZewde) / Twitter
www.entrepreneurs.ng/sahle-work-zewde
https://thewomenleaders.com/sahle-work-zewde

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Women and Adversity: Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark

Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark (yourdanishlife.dk_-e1662559500420.jpg)

Women and Adversity:
21st Century Women
   Mette Frederiksen
Prime Minister of Denmark

I don’t know of any American woman who dedicated her life from childhood to a career in politics as Mette Frederiksen of Denmark has done. Her father, Flemming Frederiksen, said in an interview, “She has been preoccupied with political matters since she was six/seven years old.”

When Frederiksen was 15, she became a member of the Social Democrats’ youth branch. She was elected to the Danish Parliament, the Folketing, in 2001 when she was 24 and named spokesperson for her party for media, culture and gender equality. The work she did there is probably why she received the Nina Bang Award in 2002, which is given to a woman politician in Denmark. When given the award, she is cited as showing political courage and enthusiasm and “impact with social feeling.” She has been leader of the Social Democrats since June of 2015 and in June 2019 became the youngest ever prime minister of Denmark.

Although Denmark is a monarchy with Queen Margrethe II reigning since January 1972, it is a Constitutional monarchy, so  the Queen has no independent political power. This Scandinavian country’s primary land mass is the peninsula of Jutland, which has a 42-mile border with Germany. The country is also comprised of more than 400 islands and has a population of a bit more than  5.8 million. The Faroe Islands and Greenland are part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Frederiksen’s political agenda shows some contradictions.

She has left leaning views on the economy.She has right leaning views on immigration, including a cap on “non-western” immigrants.She has refused to compromise on immigration, saying in her biography that the lower classes suffer from it.Social democrats voted to ban full-face veils. Offenders can be fined up to 10,000 kroner.Social democrats voted to strip jewelry from refugees.She is dedicated to climate change policies and is making climate change her top priority.Her government is pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 70% below the 1990 level.

   Mette Frederiksen:

Born November 1, 1977 in Aalborg, DenmarkEarned a bachelor’s degree in 2000 in administration and social science from Aalborg UniversityEarned a master’s degree in African studies from the University of CopenhagenReceived the Nina Bang award for political enthusiasm

  Political career:

2011, appointed to Minister of Employment2014, promoted to Minister of Justice2015, elected Leader of the Opposition2019, elected Prime Minister

  Personal life:

Married Erik Harr in 2003 and has a daughter and a son from the marriageDivorced in 2014Married film director Bo Tengberg July 15, 2020

Learn more about her:

www.yourdanishlife.dk
www.howold.co/person/pius-langa/biography
https://heavy.com/news/2019/08/mette-frederiksen

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Women and Adversity: Dame Sandra Prunella Mason, President of Barbados

Dame Sandra Prunella Mason President of Barbados (uwi.edu)

Women and Adversity:
21st Century Women
   Dame Sandra Prunella Mason
President of Barbados

I have been to Barbados and remember passing the stark white State House where the president of the country lives. The singer Rihanna is a native of Barbados, which is comprised of 167 square miles with a population of about 287,000 people. It is the easternmost Caribbean Island. St. Vincent and the Grenadines are 100 miles west of it while Grenada is 162 miles southwest of it.

Barbados made news in September 2020 when officials announce that Barbados was going to be a republic and terminate its status with the British Empire. That goal was achieved on November 30, 2021, when it installed its first president: a woman named Dame Sandra Prunella Mason.

The island made a wise choice in electing Mason. She not only has stellar credentials, but “first woman” follows many of her achievements.

     Dame Sandra Mason:

Born January 17, 1949 in East Point, St. Philip, BarbadosAttended St. Catherine’s Primary School until she was nine then admitted to Queen’s CollegeTaught at Princess Margaret Secondary School in British Columbia for one yearWorked at Barclays Bank in various capacities from 1969-1977Received Bachelor of Laws degree in 1973 from University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados1975 became first Barbadian woman admitted to the Barbados BarIn 2014 became first Barbadian appointed to membership in Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal. This tribunal operates among members of the Commonwealth of Nations to resolve issues concerning contract disputes.In 2017 became the first woman president of the tribunalIn 2017 appointed as the eighth Governor-General of BarbadosAs a result of that appointment, Queen Elizabeth conferred on her the Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint GeorgeTook over duties of governor-general January 8, 2018Elected president of Barbados October 20, 2021Installed as President of Barbados November 30, 2021

Personal life:

Son Matthew is also a lawyerShe doesn’t reveal personal informationNo record of a husband or a divorce

Learn more about her:

Sandra Mason – the woman replacing The Queen as Head of State in Barbados – Royal Central
Dame Sandra tells Barbadians to chart new future – NationNews Barbados — nationnews.com
Caribbean Elections Biography | Sandra Prunella Mason
Barbados elects Dame Sandra Mason as the country’s first-ever president : NPR

 

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Women and Adversity: Matilda Joselyn Gage, Suffragist

Matilda Joslyn Gage (adobestock.com)

Women and Adversity:
Matilda Joslyn Gage
Suffragist

I was a guest blogger on The Lazy Historian, a blog by historical fiction writer Jillianne Hamilton. (https://lazyhistorian.com). Jill is a history buff and  has a segment on her blog titled “Women’s History.” Since my ebook Women and Adversity, Saluting 23 Faithful Suffragists fits the category, Jillianne posted the entry from my book about Matilda Joslyn Gage, a little-known suffragist. The 102nd anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote is August 18. Here’s the post from The Lazy Historian.

Books and articles have publicized the activism of Sojourner Truth, Lucretia Mott, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. I have featured them on my blog, but dozens of other suffragists fought for women’s right to vote as well.

When I wrote my ebook Women and Adversity: Saluting 23 Faithful Suffragists, I included some of these “unknowns.” One of them is Matilda Joslyn Gage. I didn’t know anything about her, but I chose her because my mother’s name was Matilda. It’s amazing what you learn when you delve into the “unknowns.” Gage was from New York, but she has connections to Illinois, my home state. Not only that, her daughter, Maud, married L. Frank Baum. You got it! The author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Matilda was refused the right to vote in an 1871 election for New York state officials because she was married. (What discrimination!) When she brought single ladies and war widows forward, they were denied the right to vote, too.

This didn’t sit well with Matilda. She was instrumental in having women vote in the 1880 state of New York school board elections.

Although she wanted to be a doctor as her father was, she was denied entry into medical school. Yes, because she was a woman. She was an accomplished writer and wrote “Declaration of the Rights of Women” with Elizabeth Cady Stanton. She helped write the first three volumes of the six-volume History of Woman Suffrage with Susan B. Anthony and Stanton, but she was considered a radical by the prominent suffragists, who distanced themselves from her.

How radical was Matilda?

She said religion suppressed women.She supported Native American causes.She believed all people, no matter their color, race or culture, were equal.

She founded the anti-church group Women’s National Liberal Union, but it folded for lack of support.
She died in Chicago in 1898.

Resources:

Born Criminal: Matilda Joslyn Gage, Radical Suffragist by Angelica Shirley CarpenterMatilda Joslyn Gage directed the women’s suffrage movement from her Fayetteville home. Then she was written out of history.Feminists for Life: Matilda Joslyn GageMy ebook: Women and Adversity, Saluting 23 Faithful Suffragists (available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com)

 

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Women and Adversity: Fiame Naomi Mata’afa

Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa (Credit: Programme de leadership dans le Pacifique)

 

Women and Adversity:
21st Century Women
Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa
Prime Minister of Samoa

I don’t know anyone who’s been to Samoa, called the “Cradle of Polynesia.” It’s an island in the central South Pacific and lies about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, nearly 7,000 miles from where I live in North Carolina. That country’s April 9, 2021 election is reminiscent of the 2020 election in the U.S.

The Prime Minister of Samoa had held that post for 22 years, but he didn’t want to give it up. He ordered Parliament be locked so Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, the first woman elected Prime Minister in Samoa, couldn’t enter and be sworn in. However, the Samoan Constitution stipulates Parliament meet within 45 days of the election, and May 24, 2021 was that day. Mata’afa took the oath of office under a tent in front of Parliament, thereby upholding the Constitution.   

One reason Malielegaoi didn’t want to give up power was that the election was tied until the one independent candidate swung his vote to Mata’afa. Malielegaoi then had his electoral commissioner appoint another candidate, so the score was tied again, and he had another official announce new elections were to be held. The Supreme Court ruled against both orders, so Mata’afa, was officially proclaimed the winner. Malielegaoi didn’t concede until July 26, 2021.

Mata’afa Bio:

Born April 29, 1957 in Apia, the capital of SamoaAttended Samuel Marsden Collegiate School, a private school for girls in a suburb of Wellington, New ZealandClaimed her father’s title—Fiamē—in 1976. Samoan society is organized by family, and each family has its own title connected to areas of the country. She is chiefess (leader) over Lotofaga village on Samoa’s main island, Upol.Graduated from Wellington’s Victoria University in 1979 with a major in political scienceHer father was the first Prime Minister of Samoa, which won its independence from New Zealand in 1962.Not married

Career:

1985, elected to the Legislative Assembly of Samoa, representing the constituency of Lotofaga, previously held by her mother1991-2006, Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, becoming the first woman Cabinet member2006-2011, Minister of Women2011-2016, Minister of Justice and Courts Administration2016-2020, Deputy Prime Minister, the first woman to hold the post, and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment2016-2020, Deputy leader of the HRPP, Human Rights Protection Party2021-present, joined the FAST (Faatuatua i Le Atua Samoa ua Tasi) party, in opposition to the Land and Titles Bill. Unanimously elected its leader in March 2021April, 2021, elected Prime Minister, installed May 24, 2021

Learn more about her:

Fiame Naomi Mata’afa: Samoa’s First Woman Prime Minister – YouTube
Fiame Naomi Mata’afa legally recognised, ending months of political stalemate | The World – YouTube
Samoa’s first female leader has made history — now she faces a challenging future at home and abroad (theconversation.com)

Let me know what you know about Samoa.

 

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Women and Adversity: UND and UND, What comes to mind?

Women and Adversity:UND and UND, What comes to mind?

I’m diverting from my “Women in Politics” theme for this post. It has to do with the annual conference of National Federation of Press Women I attended in Fargo, North Dakota at the end of June. I had never been to Fargo, so when NFPW announced the 2022 conference would be there, I signed up immediately. The conference was fabulous as usual, and the speakers were great, but Patrick Kirby confused me. His presentation was “Treating your customers the way nonprofits treat their donors,” but I wondered why he continued to cite UND. Why would he be talking about University of Notre Dame in Fargo?

It wasn’t until he mentioned Grand Forks instead of South Bend that I made the connection. The University of North Dakota is in Grand Forks. I never considered that UND referred to anything other than Notre Dame. I earned my master’s degree from Notre Dame. It was one of my son’s choices when he was considering colleges. I attended several football games at ND. Why would I think of anything else?

It made me consider the way our minds focus on one possibility. How many times have I limited—or do we limit ourselves—to just one choice? When we moved to North Carolina in July 2000, the sports stations consistently mentioned USC. Why University of Southern California on the other side of the country? It took several weeks for me to realize the reference was University of South Carolina.

How can this confusion be corrected? By putting all the facts together before making a judgment. So what do you think? Let me know.

Look at these:

www.nd.edu
www.und.edu
www.nfpw.org

 

 

 

 

 

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