International Day of Peace Recognition of City Employees Copyright 2014
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 4.
ITEM TITLE: International Day of Peace Recognition of City Employees
SUMMARY: City Manager transmitting information about Human Rights
Director Kelly Larson and Circles Coach Ermina Soler
receiving recognition from Dubuque's International Day of
Peace Committee.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
International Day of Peace Recognition-MVM Memo City Manager Memo
Powerpoint Presentation of Recognition Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF Dubuque
DUB E i"
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007.2012.2013
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: International Day of Peace Recognition
DATE: September 22, 2016
Human Rights Director Kelly Larson and Circles Coach Ermina Soler have received
recognition from Dubuque's International Day of Peace Committee.
The coordinating committee for the International Day of Peace consists of a local group
of volunteers. In its seventh year, this year's theme is Women Working for Peace. As
part of their work this year, the committee has selected 16 local women to honor for
their commitment to peace and justice. A powerpoint presentation has been created
and shown at Day of Peace events and at the Carnegie Stout Public Library.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Kelly Larson, Human Rights Director
Ermina Soler, Circles Coach
United Nations International Day of Peace
2016 : Women Working for Peace / September 21
Local Women
Leaders . n
Peace and
Justice
16 in 16 .
The Day of Peace Coordinating Committee
wanted to honor 16 women in 2016, knowing that
the real number of such women is much greater.
These 16 are examples of the broad and deep
leadership and action of women in the Dubuque
area working in a wide variety of areas of need ,
professions, and cultures . All are women with a
strong commitment to peace and justice .
United Nations International Day of Peace
2016 : Women Working for Peace / September 21
www. dbqdayofpeace.org
Member of Dubuque Catholic Worker
Community.
Involved in issues of environmental justice
Co-founder of St. Isidore Catholic Worker Farm
-
in Cuba City.
Member of international peace teams in
{ Palestine, Darfur, and Panama; most recently
stood in solidarity with residents of Jeju Island in
South Korea to oppose the construction of a US
naval base there .
ti Frequently speaks out and publishes news and
opinions in areas of racial equality and social
justice.
Brenna Anglada
United Nations International Day of Peace
2016 : Women Working for Peace / September 21
www. dbqdayofpeace.org
First African American teacher at Hempstead High
School .
First African American principal at Central High
School .
Member of NAACP, African American Women
United for Success, Women of Color (SUEC), Faces
1 & Voices .
Member of the Board of the Dubuque Multicultural
Family Center.
Frequently speaks out and works on the areas of
' .t.
education, equality for African Americans and
diversity.
Claudette Bees
United Nations International Day of Peace
2016 : Women Working for Peace / September 21
www.dbqdayofpeace. org
Board member of 50-50 in 2020 a
- bipartisan, issue-neutral, state-wide
initiative tog et more women elected to
'7'r the Iowa legislature, congressional
i n ngovernor'sff i
d e
delegation and office.
i
As president of the Iowa League of
Women Voters, works to educate voters
r
on the importance of participation in
government.
- Former member of the United Nations
International Day of Peace Committee .
MaryRae BraggUnited Nations International Da of Peace
y
2016: Women Working for Peace / September 21
www.dbgdayofpeace.org
Member of the Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools
�� ,
( FDPS) Board of Directors (Community Foundation of
Greater Dubuque) .
I
Core Team member of Inclusive Dubuque .
Board President and one of the founding members of
4 the People Inc.
Racial Disparities Forum of the Human Rights
Commission Panelist.
' k
5
Chair of the Affordable Housing Equal Opportunity
Committee ( Board of Realtors) .
Pauline Chilton
United Nations International Day of Peace
2016: Women Working for Peace / September 21
A Sister of Charity, BVM .
N In 1970, formulated a life commitment supporting justice
activity for women .
Served on Dubuque City Council, 1978-82, and served as
Mayor of Dubuque, 1980.
Directed the BVM Office for Women, 1989-91 .
Has promoted use of inclusive language in education and
church materials .
Participated in 1995 International Conference on Women in
Beijing, China .
Developed the Gannon Center for Women and Leadership,
• Loyola University, Chicago, 1992-2006.
_ w
Serves on Dubuque Coalition for Nonviolence .
Carolyn FarreIIUnited Nations International Day of Peace
2016: Women Working for Peace / September 21
www.dbqdayofpeace.org
Former Chair and 9-year member of Dubuque Human
Rights Commission circa 1998-2007 .
'-�
Recipient of Friends of Iowa Civil Rights Award , Ames,
2006 .
Former chair and current 25 -year member of
Resurrection Church Social Concerns Committee .
Initiator ( 2001 ) and chair of Environmental Stewardship
Committee ( Green Team ), Church of Resurrection until
2015, but still active .
Immigrant justice : Volunteer Tutor of English ( ESL) at
NICC for several years . An original member of
t Dubuque Crossing Borders Committee for immigration
�. reform .
Judy G i ese n United Nations International Day of Peace
2016 :Women Working for Peace / September 21
www.dbqdayofpeace .org
A Dubuque Franciscan Sister.
For 17 years, co-facilitated the Alternatives to Violence
Project in prisons, an international volunteer movement
committed to reducing interpersonal violence in society.
Was a part of an international team leading workshops in
Amman, Jordan with Iraqi and Palestinian refugees for
f.E
two months.
Member of the Dubuque Peace community that vigils for
peace across from the Federal Building every Monday
afternoon .
In Sioux City, served as head of Siouxlanders for Peace
and for 5 years lived at the Catholic Worker House.
Vigiled many times at peaceful protests , Strategic
Command Center at Off utt Air Force Base, Omaha .
Traveled to Nicaragua with Witness for Peace in 1986.
Marian Klosterman
United Nations International Day of Peace
2016: Women Working for Peace / September 21
www.dbqdayofpeace.org
Director of Human Rights for the City of Dubuque since
1999 .
Member of the League of Iowa Human Rights and of
Rights .
the Regional Executive Council on Civil Ri
g g
Member of the Board of the Dubuque Multicultural
Family Center
Member of the Board of the National Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA )Coordinator Certification
Program .
Recipient of the Ruby Sutton Humanitarian Award from
the Dubuque Chapter of the NAACP.
Recipient of the Spirit of the ADA Award from the Great
Plains ADA Center.
Kelly Larson United Nations International Day of Peace
2016: Women Working for Peace / September 21
www.dbqdayofpeace .org
A Sister of Charity, BVM .
Parish administrator who responded to the needs of
389 workers arrested May 12, 2008 in the infamous
immigration workplace raid at Agriprocessors in
Postville . Shared "Postville Story" throughout the
country, raising awareness of the need for immigration
t• '" reform .
Coordinates "Crossing Borders - Dubuque", a group
whose mission is to educate and advocate for
immigration reform . Raises awareness of injustices
experienced by our immigrants and refugees.
Supports public policy initiatives that call for a sensitive
and just response to the needs of our immigrant
brothers and sisters.
Member, Board of Directors of Opening Doors,
supporting homeless women alone or with children .
Mary McCauley
United Nations International Day of Peace
2016: Women Working for Peace / September 21
www.dbqdayofpeace.org
Worked for the City of Dubuque's Human Rights Department as
a Human Relations Specialist for 7 years, facilitating
Intercultural Competence development at the individual and
organizational levels and engaging underrepresented groups in
r the democratic process.
Connected individuals with shared cultural identities to each
other and the larger community and helped remove barriers to
a
-- engagement in the community and in institutions.
Provided mediation services for community members and City
employees.
After leaving the city position, continues to guest speak in the
community related to her identity as a gay woman.
Offers Safe Zone Trainings, an interactive workshop where
participants learn about topics that impact the LGBTQ+ and
J !�, how they can better support people who so identify.
Passionate about being a part of creating peace both internally
and in the world .
Molly Menster
United Nations International Day of Peace
2016: Women Working for Peace / September 21
www.dbgdayofpeace.org
Is a community proponent for helping people
through support and service to neighbors in the
area and anywhere in the community that has
a need .
Founded the non-profit Manasseh House in
2005 . Completed and opened Manasseh
House for single women in 2007 , offering
support services such as housing ,
transportation , counseling , education , and
employment.
In 2010 , founded and built the Salvia
apartments for women , with community living
and supportive services provided in the
Dubuque community.
In 2015 converted one of the buildings and
opened Manassah House for single men , with
the same services available to them as the
Michelle Mihalakis women .
United Nations International Day of Peace
2016: Women Working for Peace / September 21
www.dbqdayofpeace.org
Member of Dubuque Catholic Worker Community, Co-founder of
Hope House Catholic Worker House in Dubuque and New Hope
t;
Catholic Worker Farm in LaMotte.
Y:
Instrumental in the establishment of the Dubuque Food Co-op,
and served as a board member and as interim general manager.
Frequently speaks out and works in areas of environmental
stewardship, food equity, and social justice.
Member of the first group of those trained to serve as
community mediators for the Dubuque Dispute Resolution
Center.
Was the Coordinator of the Fr. Ray Herman Peace & Justice
Center at Loras College .
Trained in the conflict resolution practices of " Non-violent
Communication " and " Restorative Circles", as proscribed by
internationally-renowned Marshall Rosenberg and Dominic
Barter, respectively.
MaryMoody United Nations International Day of Peace
2016: Women Working for Peace / September 21
www.dbqdayofpeace.org
A Sister of the Presentation .
r
Founder and Executive Director, 2002-16, Presentation Lantern
T Center, which has welcomed adult immigrants from 5 continents and
56 different countries to learn English . 72 students have studied and
�., passed the citizenship test with a 100% pass rate.
In stories that immigrant mothers have shared, she has heard raw fear
and holy hope. There is a crying need to listen, not just with our ears
but with our hearts and then to crate hospitality for the other.
A former Lantern Center student reflected that learning a new
language is like finding your voice and growing a new soul .
The Glory of God ... could it be the likes of us together striving for
justice and sharing ourselves so that everyone has enough ?
To bring love to people and places where it is in short supply is one of
the challenges of today's peacemakers.
Corine Murray
United Nations International Day of Peace
2016: Women Working for Peace / September 21
www.dbqdayofpeace.org
Implemented the Dubuque Circles° Initiative after
researching the model as an Americorps volunteer
Oversees Circles° .
a
. c1 '1wY
Serves as City of Dubuque 's Coordinator for Circles,
which connects volunteers and community leaders to
families wanting to make the journey out of poverty.
;t Worked for Bridges Out of Poverty.
Worked for "Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin '- By-
Wo r I cl ."
y-World ."
Over 200 have completed "Getting Ahead""', and
more than 30 of graduates have been matched with
e
allies of support.
Erminal Soler United Nations International Day of Peace
2016: Women Working for Peace / September 21
www.dbqdayofpeace.org
A bridge between people who connects newcomers
with the resources they need in getting to know the
community or where to get help in case of an
emergency.
Was part of the committee that offered suggestions
before the Dubuque Multicultural Family Center was
developed .
Was member of a group included in the training of
k local police, to help them understand the Latino culture
in order to build better relationships between the
police and the Latino community.
Helps with translation when needed and occasionally
speaks to groups.
Member of the national organization La Raza which
advocates for Latinos in the areas of civic engagement,
civil rights and immigration, education, workforce and
Gabriela Vega the economy.
United Nations International Day of Peace
2016: Women Working for Peace / September 21
www.dbqdayofpeace.org
Instrumental in running the Center for a Just Society.
¢ ; Member of the Dubuque School District's Multicultural
Non-sexist committee, NAACP, Coalition for
Nonviolence, Crossing Borders, and Inclusive Dubuque
i
- Housing Committee .
ration .Named to a Human Rights task force on integration .
g g
Board member and former president of Dubuque for
Refugee Children .g
Frequently speaks out and works in areas of equality,
diversity, and social justice .
Gail Weit
United Nations International Day of Peace
2016 : Women Working for Peace / September 21
www.dbqdayofpeace.org
What is Dubuque ' s
United Nations International Day of Peace Festival ?
The Day of Peace Coordinating Committee invites everyone to create a culture of
peace by participating in a city-wide celebration of the U . N . International Day of
Peace . Since its 1981 inception , the Peace Day has marked humanity's personal
and planetary progress toward peace . The celebration has grown to include
millions of people in all parts of the world through events ranging in scale from
private gathering to public events with wide attendance .
This year's featured event is a one-woman performance of " Unveiled " by Rohina
Malik at 7pm at Hoffman Hill Theater, Loras College, September 21 .
We also invite you to the many other peace- related events taking place from
September 12-26 . See website below for complete listing.
2016 United Nations International Day of Peace
www.dbgdayofpeace.org