What’s Inside:
Film Review: The Social Network
Students arrived on campus this fall to
St. Catherine University’s (SCU) newly
instated smoking ban. The ban, which went
into effect Sep. 1, prohibits all tobacco use
on campus grounds. This measure comes
as part of an initiative to create a healthier
campus and follows a similar ban on the
Minneapolis campus, which went into effect
in August of 2008.
The initiative began in 2007 by the Tobacco-
Free Committee co-chaired by Dr. Amy Kelly,
Director of Health and Wellness and Susan
Sexton, Director of Human Resources.
  Previously, student smokers were able
to use smoking stations located outside
the entrances of most major buildings on
campus. However, as the stations were placed
in high traffic areas, there were complaints
about the volume of second-hand smoke
outside the buildings.
The ban has provoked strong reactions
from both sides of the issue.  Junior Kaitlin
Kramer is a non-smoker who supports the
ban. In reference to years past, she said, “I
think it’s really gross that I have to walk
behind big puffs of smoke and hold my
breath on the way to class.” ”
However, some smokers and non-smokers
alike think think the ban oversteps its bounds.
Junior Cassie Jorgensen is a non-smoker
who felt relatively unaffected by smoking
on campus.
“[I] never ran into situations where smoking
on campus bothered me, and smokers that
I did encounter were always conscious of
me as a non-smoker and made sure smoke
Not up for debate
• Candidates bow out of event
By Carly Fishbeck and Alexa Chihos
staff writers
St. Catherine University (SCU)clubs and
organizations worked feverishly to prepare the
SCU community an upcoming gubernatorial
debate between candidates Tom Emmer, Mark
Dayton, and Tom Horner. However, these
groups chose to cancel the well-publicized
debate after two candidates opted out.
Less than one week before the debate was
scheduled to take place, Republican candidate
Tom Emmer turned down his invitation to
participate, which he had previously accepted.
However, SCU administration and the Political
Science Club remained committed to having
the remaining two candidates participate in
the debate.
On Sept 27, Democratic candidate Mark
Dayton dropped out of the debate upon
learning that Emmer had declined. This left
Independent Party candidate Tom Horner
the only remaining candidate, which put the
entire event in jeopardy.
Since two of the three political candidates
declined involvement in the debate, the
Political Science Club, with the help of the
club’s advisors, chose to cancel the debate
altogether.
Also relevant to their decision was the
Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) station,
which was scheduled to film and broadcast
the debate.
Students lit up over smoking ban
• New policy prohibits all tobacco use on SCU campus
By Tréza Rosado and Rachel Armstrong, with reporting by Kate Fuller
wasn’t directed towards me.”
First-year Leah Matz, a smoker, believes
the measure goes too far.
“We’re adults and it feels a lot like a high
school situation, like we have to go hide to
smoke a cigarette...We’re not contagious,
we’re not dangerous people.”
The ban has also led to large numbers of
SCU students smoking just beyond the gates,
directly opposite residential homes.
  Senior Brianna Berg and her sister Cassandra
Berg, junior,  are particularly outspoken
about this issue. “
“I think that the ban was a great idea,
but I don’t think it was fully thought out.
I don’t know if they considered the image
it’s setting for the people around the [SCU]
community...What do they see?” Brianna
Berg said. “[They see] a bunch of smokers
lining the gates outside because they can’t
smoke inside. Is that what we want people to
see? Especially standing next to a sign that
says ‘St. Kate’s is Proud to be Smoke Free’?””
Brianna Berg is not the only student to
question the advisability of sending students
off campus to smoke.
Maria Brundy, junior, believes a designated
smoking area would be an acceptable
compromise between SCU’s current policy
and the smoking community.
“I think that the smoking area should be
right outside of the O’Shaughnessey...because
that’s right in the middle of the buildings
where we need to be to go to our classes,””
Brundy said. “Right now, we’re taking extra
time to get out to Randolph [Ave.] so we can
smoke before we go to our classes.”
Safety has also been a cause for concern
among smokers. Resident students especially
have few options.
“You don’t want to go off campus in the
Associate Dean for Students and Multicultural
Education Wachen Anderson said that TPT
was instrumental in the event setup and in
planning for possible complications.
“We worked with TPT in the planning
process, but at the point of one candidate’s
decline, our contract with them became
void,” Political Science Club Vice President
and sophomore Christina Paetzel said.
Since its inception last fall, the SCU Political
Science Club has been continuously working
to hold a debate on campus. Anderson said
the club came to the SCU administration
about a year and a half ago to request holding
a debate and begin planning. SCU Student
Senate was supportive of the gubernatorial
debate happening on campus.
“Senate was involved in more of a supportive
manner. The Political Science Club came in
and talked to Senate about their event and
asked for volunteers,” Senate President and
sophomore Nelum Mandanayake said.
After Emmer and Dayton’s respective
cancellations, some students questioned
whether the reversal had anything to do
with the same policy involved in preventing
Hillary Clinton and Bay Buchanan from
speaking at SCU in 2008.
At that time, SCU, then the College of
St. Catherine, declined separate requests
This newspaper, like many other things, is recyclable. Please do so.
St. Catherine University student newspaper
middle of the night to smoke...At night, I
don’t want to go out and stand on Randolph
[Ave.] by myself,” Brianna Berg said.
The ban has had spiritual implications
for some students as well. Senior Rebecca
Roepke uses  tobacco as a vital part of her
American Indian spiritual tradition.
“I do carry tobacco when I can get it. I
would actually say that I am proud to offer
tobacco as part of my spiritual tradition,”
Roepke said. “I am used to being overlooked.
We, as a people, are used to being denied our
religious freedom...I can deal with this, but
I shouldn’t have to, and it would be a good
idea to seriously consider what sort of an
Sophomore Sara Quint and first-year Aimee Ahles take their smoking break
outside the SCU gates. Photos by Dana Bloomquist
to have these women speak on campus.
The administration declined them as guest
speakers based on the Political Activity Policy
found in LeGuide.
This policy requires that in the case of a
political event, the views expressed are from
all sides of the issue, and SCU may not in any
way endorse one candidate or political stance.
“The policy was written so that the University
follows guidelines for being a 501c3 (non-
profit organization). The policy also follows
with the University’s social justice mission,”
Assistant Director of the Student Center and
Activities Cara Sheaffer said.
With regard to political debates, the policy
states, “Candidates for public office may be
invited to, or may seek permission to visit,
the campus to make public appearances in
connection with their campaigns. If a candidate
uses a campus visit as an occasion to make a
campaign speech, the campus organization
hosting the event should make it clear that
the institution does not support or oppose
the candidate in all promotional materials
related to the event.”
Sheaffer added that in the case of this
gubernatorial debate, every candidate would
not need to be present, but their views would
need to be represented.
Before Dayton declined the invitation, the
Political Science Club considered developing
a slide show presentation of Emmer’s main
points to represent his views at the debate.
Paetzel stated that the neutrality policy did
not affect the debate.
“The event was cancelled because two of
the three invited candidates were no longer
confirmed to attend,” Paetzel said.
In a statement about why Emmer could
not attend, Emmer’s press secretary Chris
Van Guilder said, “We appreciate [SCU’s]
willingness to host a debate to allow their
students, faculty, and staff the opportunity
›› pg. 6
October 8, 2010
thewheel-scu.tumblr.com
impact [SCU], as an institution, wants to
make with this.”
Brianna Berg and her sister are also interested
in the impact SCU hopes to make with this
smoking ban. Due to residential concerns over
the increase of smoking outside the gates,
Berg and her sister have drafted a letter to the
residents of Randolph Ave. addressing the
issue and calling for a designated smoking
area on campus.
“Part of it is just an apology, and part of it
is a call to action,” Brianna Berg said.
Tréza can be reached at tjrosado@stkate.edu
Rachel can be reached at rmarmstrong@stkate.edu
to hear from the candidates. Unfortunately,
we were unable to make this engagement
work with our schedule, as we had previously
arranged plans for Tom to spend the entire
day travelling in West Central Minnesota.”
Dayton’s deputy campaign manager
Katharine Tinucci said, “We are disappointed
that the debate is not taking place at [SCU],
but are looking forward to more opportunities
to debate between all three candidates.”
Similarly, Horner’s press secretary Matt
Lewis said, “The inevitability is that all three
candidates will be forced to miss or cancel
opportunities due to conflicts.”
Many students and faculty have expressed
their disappointment about the debate’s
cancellation. Mandanayake explained
the importance of the debate to the SCU
community and the diverse body of people
the debate would have reached.
“We are not simply a group of 18 to 23-year-
old people who are politically charged in the
‘college student’ way, but rather our student
body is made up of people of many ages,
many ethnicities, and many interests and
lifestyles,” Mandanayake said.
Anderson said that the cancellation was
especially devastating for the students involved
in organizing the event due to the amount
of time, personal energy, and resources that
went into planning.
While the gubernatorial debate will not
occur on the SCU campus this year, Political
Science Club President and junior Kaley Taffe
said that the Club will continue working
to bring political candidates to the SCU
community for future debates.
Carly can be reached at
crfischbeck@stkate.edu
Alexa can be reached at
anchihos@stkate.edu
2 | The Wheel NEWS & OPINION
Breaking down walls:
Expanding
feminisms
By Jordyn Arndt
international columnist
Esther Moss, a senior at St. Catherine University (SCU) studied abroad in Central
and South America last year.  She spent fall semester in Nicaragua and spring semester
in Ecuador.  As a Latin American Studies major and Women’s Studies minor, Moss is
fascinated by various ideas of feminism around the globe. During her time in Nicaragua
and Ecuador, she pursued independent study projects related to ecofeminism.  Her project
in Nicaragua was entitled “Vital Feminism: A Theory Grounded in Rural Nicaragua” and
her project in Ecuador was entitled “Essentially Connected?: Defining the Relationship
between Feminism and Food Sovereignty.”
Moss’ interest in Latin American Studies began as a first-year at SCU. Although Moss had
previously studied Spanish in high school, her passion for social justice, Spanish language,
and Latin American culture did not culminate until she participated in the School of the
Americas (SOA) vigil.  Each year, SCU Campus Ministry organizes a trip to Fort Benning,
GA to participate in the annual SOA vigil.  The SOA is a government-funded military
training facility which has been accused of training soldiers responsible for some of Latin
America’s most shocking human rights abuses. The SOA continues to operate despite a
Women from rural communities near Estelí, Nicaragua take part in a workshop on deconstructing Biblical
messages that have been used to legitimate domestic violence. Photo courtesy of Esther Moss
ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY WHEEL STAFF
Volume 78, Issue 3
Editor-in-Chief: TRÉZA ROSADO
Layout Designer: SARAH WENTE
Sections Editor: RACHEL ARMSTRONG
Photo Editor: DANA BLOOMQUIST
Adviser: SHEILA ELDRED
Senior Staff Writers: ELISSA JOHNSON, JORDYN ARNDT, LYDIA FASTE-
LAND, CLAIRE DAVIDSON
Staff Writers: CLARA JOHNSON, JESSICA JONES, BECKY DOUCETTE,
DEVON ARNDT , ALEXA CHIHOS, CARLY FISCHBECK, COURTNEY HAMP-
TON, ERIN LEU, HANNAH FRANCE, KATE FULLER, MAGGIE WEISS
Photographers: JESSICA JONES, DANA BLOOMQUIST
Cartoonist: KATHERINE CURTIS
If you would like to write for The Wheel, please contact us at
wheel@stkate.edu.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Wheel aspires to reflect the diversity and unique atmosphere that compris-
es St. Catherine University. We strive to provide an inclusive newspaper primar-
ily for the students and by the students. The Wheel promotes the vision of
empowering women to lead and influence as well as an understanding of the
university community inside and outside of the gates. As a staff we aim to meet
the highest journalistic standards and stand in accordance with the 1st Amend-
ment of the Constitution of the United States of America and policies of prior
restraint. The Wheel is not a public relations vehicle for any SCU individual,
group, department or for the college as a whole. We welcome feedback and
encourage an open discourse. The Wheel is supported by student funds and is
distributed free of charge.
October 8, 2010
powerful transnational social justice movement committed to shutting it down.  Moss
participated in this Campus Ministry-led trip during the fall of her first year. “In those
days of hearing tragic stories of US militaristic imperialism which has caused many deaths
of innocent people in Latin America, I felt the sparks of what would become a full-fledged
internal fire, growing each semester to increasingly consume most of my energy and time.
Studying abroad last year in Central and South America transformed that fire to anger and
guilt on behalf of the horrors committed by my country,” Moss said.
This critical experience led Moss to pursue a Latin American Studies major at Macalester
College, through the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC) program and a minor in
Women’s Studies at SCU.  Moss is interested in learning about transnational feminism.  This
interest, combined with her experience at the SOA vigil, helped motivate her decision to
study abroad in Nicaragua and Ecuador during her junior year.  
“The experience of living, learning, and loving in Latin America changed my identity to
include the experiences of the hard working, feminist women with whom I became friends.,”
Moss said. “Feminism is an important part of my identity, thus as my identity began to
reflect their struggles, my feminism changed as well. Most importantly, I learned that the
conditions of being a feminist depend greatly on cultural, historical, and physical locations.”
In the United States, “feminism” is a charged word.  It is often associated with movements
of white, upper-middle class American feminists with struggles related to financial gain
such as achieving equal compensation for work and the elimination of the glass ceiling, a
barrier for women in obtaining top positions in corporations.  However, this is only one
form of feminism. Various forms of feminism co-exist locally, nationally, and internationally,
often with conflicting ideologies and objectives.
Conducting research in Nicaragua and Ecuador and engaging in an internship at The
National Ecuadorian Feminist Coalition helped Moss become more aware of some of
the forms of feminism that exist in Latin America.  Prior to studying abroad, Moss had
studied the history of Latin American feminist movements; however, it was exclusively at
the academic level.  Sitting over plates of rice and beans with the women in the National
Ecuadorian Feminist Coalition, Moss began to understand, on
a personal level, the struggles of Latin American feminists.  The
women with whom she was working were fighting over basic,
tangible rights.  “Among their many duties, rural women are
responsible for collecting water from natural sources,” Moss
said.  “As water is increasingly privatized, women literally must
travel farther and farther to find potable water, so the feminist
fight addresses this problem.”  Ensuring equal access to water is far
removed from the definition of feminism held by white, upper-
middle class American feminists, yet it is an incredibly real and
pervasive problem to Ecuadorian feminists.
Moss believes “feminists must globalize our very identities in order
to globalize our feminisms.”  This belief was strengthened by her
experience studying abroad in Nicaragua and Ecuador.  Although
Moss has returned to the United States, she remains in contact
with her host families and continues to conduct research related
to the topics she explored while abroad.  
Her Senior Honors Thesis in Latin American Studies at Macalester
College is entitled, “Entre la Tierra y la Luna: Reexamining Gender
and Cosmology in the Andes.”  Moss hopes to return to Ecuador in
the future to continue her research and reunite with the country
and culture she now adores.
Jordyn can be reached at jearndt@stkate.edu
Clarification:
In the article “Packing Begins for 100 Sisters of St. Joseph”
[Vol. 78 Issue 2] there was a misquote stating “Sr. Andrea
put together a group of students moving the library from
Derham Hall...”
According to More Than a Dream: Eighty-five Years at the
College of St. Catherine, “Operation Booklift” began on
Oct 11, 1960, when volumes housed in various libraries on
campus were all moved by students to the new library in
St. Joseph Hall. Sisters Mary William, Mary Edward, and
Rosalie and Marie Inez Johnson were instrumental in the
move.
I also want to clarify that I am interested in working with
the sisters to discuss their interest in how students might
be of assistance in their move.
I in no way want to speak for them or make assumptions
about St. Kate’s role in this move. I’m hoping that can be
discovered together and that the St. Kate’s community will
be on board in whatever way the sisters deem appropriate
and helpful.
Sincerely,
Donna Hauer
Consociate and Director, MIPS
October 8, 2010 NEWS & OPINION The Wheel | 3

Theory to action: Passive Promoting “SCU was founded on a set of beliefs and
it is important for members of the SCU

homophobia Catholic community to become familiar with the

reasons behind these beliefs,” Miller said.

identity She emphasized that a person does not

necessarily need to be Catholic to see the value
in these aspects of the Catholic tradition. To
•Professor receives esteemed support her argument, she gives the example
of The Universal Declaration of Human
award Rights (UDHR), a declaration adopted by
By Jordyn Arndt The United Nations in 1948 and ratified by
senior staff writer countries around the world thereafter. The
By Elissa Johnson UDHR incorporates aspects of Catholic social
political columnist During the Opening Convocation, Amata teachings. People from around the world,
Miller (IHM) Economics professor and director originating from various faith traditions,
of the Myser Initiative at St. Catherine University were able to surmount their differences
This is a rough time for politicians in Minnnesota. Like in many states, candidates for (SCU) was presented with the 2010 Bonnie and agree upon these fundamental rights
Jean Kelly and Joan Kelly Excellence Award. to human existence.
governor have to contend with the job market, as well as the state and national economy. The award has been presented annually since Abbie Rivard, a junior Food and Nutrition
Hopeful Minnesotans are either looking forward to Pawlenty leaving office for a chance at 2006 and seeks to recognize contributions in Science major, described the relevance of a
teaching and scholarship at SCU. recent lecture by Miller in her Community
a bigger seat in the nation’s capital or they’re looking forward to changing the way things Miller was presented with this award based on Nutrition class. In preparation for their 15
her leadership in directing and implementing hours of community service component of
are run at the state level, with a more liberal, democratic touch. programs of the Myser Initiative on Catholic the course, Sister Amata gave a presentation
But what about the social issues? Those things that are also referred to as “issues of Identity. Dr. Paula King, founding dean on Catholic social teaching.
of the School of Business and Leadership, “The presentation addressed how Catholic
morality” which, when you put it that way, seem as though they shouldn’t be governed recognized Miller’s merit in earning this social teaching is connected with SCU’s
prestigious award. mission and how our education is fulfilling
by law at all…
“Her leadership of the Myser Initiative on many aspects of Catholic social teaching,”
It’s difficult to say for sure how the candidates will vote on issues like gay marriage. We Catholic Identity has touched those who have Rivard said.
participated in the summer workshop and Miller believes that promoting a greater
have Tom Emmer’s pretty blatant lack of support for gay rights across the board which I personally experienced the power of her understanding of Catholic identity is neither
spawned the ‘oh-my-god-where-do-I-get-hip-bed-sheets-and-dog-food-now?’ boycott of message during the new faculty orientation,” one person’s prerogative nor solely the job of
King said. “In an hour, [Miller] placed Catholic a theologian. Furthermore, she believes that
Target stores. I suppose we could infer something about his politics there. But what about Social Teaching in a broad context helping it is everyone’s job to infuse these aspects of
those of us new to St. Kate’s understand the Catholic tradition into SCU. This is an
the other two candidates? how Catholic social teaching permeates and innovative approach, and it just this approach
That’s where it get’s tricky. influences many intellectual traditions and that has brought national acclaim to Miller,
is essential to St. Kate’s identity.”   the Myser Initiative, and SCU as a whole.
If you weren’t following the news at the beginning of this race or you haven’t looked Miller brings a wealth of knowledge and
experience to SCU. She is recognized nationally Jordyn can be reached at
up the candidates yet (because I know you’re all very informed voters and will when you for her work on economic policy and social jearndt@stkate.edu
can), you’d never know that the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) candidate Mark Dayton justice. Her article, “The Many Faces of Social
Justice,” plays an integral role in
and Independent candidate Tom Horner both support same-sex marriage. Great, right? the Global Search for Justice (GSJ)
curriculum. Joleen Sterner, a senior
Yes, but why don’t more people know about these social issues that affect us individually
nursing student at SCU, read Sister
and protect or hinder equality across the board? As Emmer was quoted in a Star Tribune Amata’s article during her GSJ course
in China. Joleen states, “Miller’s
article on September 24, “This election is not about those issues.” article brought profound new insight
Well Mister Emmer, I would agree. The candidates in this election are not concerned to my experience in China. It was
very interesting to read.”
with issues of gay rights because they have the privilege to not be concerned. It is simple Miller earned a Master’s degree in
Economics at St. Louis University in
to make a non-issue out of something when that something does not affect your civil St. Louis, Missouri and a Doctorate
liberties and rights as a human. in Economics from the University
of California at Berkeley. Among
I wonder if that sentiment was shared with Billy Lucas, Tyler Clementi, Raymond Chase, her many accomplishments, she is a
board member of the Partnership for
Justin Aaberg, Seth Walsh, and Asher Brown. It’s too late to share it with them now. These Global Justice, a non-governmental
boys are some of the countless gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer (GBLTQ) organization at the United Nations
and serves as a trustee at St. Edward’s
kids and young adults who are harassed every day in this country because of their sexual University in Austin, Texas.
She has served as the director of
identity and sexual orientation. This hate left four of those boys dead in the span of three
the Myser Initiative on Catholic
weeks and two more after that. One boy was from Minnesota. Identity since its inception in 2005.
When she first began as director of
People who identify as advocates for these “social issues” that candidates steer clear of the Myser Initiative, Miller assembled
often validate their work with the idea that there will always be a backlash as progress is a diverse group of Catholic and
non-Catholic faculty members to
made toward positive legislation.  I recently looked at a Facebook post from a friend that serve as its Steering Committee.
They explored questions regarding
said, “I try to remind myself that when things get the worst there is always something better Catholic identity specifically related Sr. Amata Miller (IHM)
coming. MN is so close to passing gay marriage!”   to SCU as an institution. Photo courtesy of Jordyn Arndt

Do people really think any of the aforementioned teens ended their lives because they
were stressed about finding Mr. Right?  Dead teenagers are not positive indicators for pro-
gay legislative policy.  What other kind of media does the GLBTQ community get? “Out of
the closet” has become “out of sight.” When the assumption that blending in is the ultimate
goal of the GLBTQ community, we open the door for ignorance, misinformation, and the
myth of “passive” homophobia.
When politicians and institutions keep quiet about social issues, they deny legitimacy to
the lives those issues directly affect. It is difficult to make systemic change if the systems do
not acknowledge the problem. So as you’re thinking about who you’ll vote for in November
or which clubs to join this semester or which faculty members are allied, or where to go if
you’re the victim of harassment because of your sexual orientation, ask yourself this simple
question: “Where are the gays?”

Elissa can be reached at ejjohnson@stkate.edu

 
4 | The Wheel
Spotlight:
Ginger Hedstrom
• CSJ Consociate lives social justice
By Becky Doucette
staff writer
Ginger Hedstrom is currently the Justice
Associate Coordinator and Consociate with
the Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJs).
“[I] coordinate the work of the Justice
Commission, consisting of 20 sisters and
consociates, who are commissioned by
the Province Leadership Team to a three
year term to do the work of social justice,”
Hedstrom said.
Some of the working groups include
Dismantling Racism and Homophobia/
Heterosexism. Hedstrom is a part of a team
that coordinates the working groups, task
groups, and much more.
Growing up, Ginger was among strong
women in her household.
“When I think about when social justice
was planted in me, it was my grandmother,
my great-grandmother,
and my mother who
helped their neighbors,” “Women here are not only
Hedstrom said.
She was also a valued,butwomenregardless
professional clown and of age are valued…”
performance artist,
which helped her find — Ginger Hedstrom
the voice she boldly
uses today.
Aside from this, Hedstrom dealt with
domestic abuse. At 18, fresh out of high school,
she married and settled down.  Hedstrom was
married at a time when the criminal justice
system was transitioning. Previously, women
had to press charges against an assailant if law
enforcement was to get involved. However,
Order up:
the Flamingo
•Beloved restaurant rebounds
By Devon Arndt
staff writer
The story of the Flamingo restaurant is the
personal journey of Shegitu Kebede and Fresoini
Haile. These two entrepreneurial women
started a business intending to support the
community, but when an unforeseen tragedy
affected them, it was this same community
that gave back to them.
Shegitu Kebede came to the United States
as a refugee from war-torn Ethiopia in the
1980s. She came to the United States alone,
feeling lost in a country so very different
from her own.
Her first years were spent learning English,
working, and adjusting to an unfamiliar
culture. Kebede knew that someday she
wanted to offer support to women who
had been in her situation. Eventually, she
started a cleaning business to provide jobs
to immigrant and refugee women, teaching
them important skills and helping them build
resumes. She also served as a representative,
finding job placement for the women so they
The Flamingo Restaurant
Hours of Operation: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00
p.m. Monday - Sunday
490 N Syndicate St
St. Paul, MN 55104-2500
651-917-9332
FEATURES
as the system changed, law enforcement was
able to take action regardless of whether or
not the woman chose to press charges.
“In the early ‘90s, I spent every [long]
weekend I could camping alone in state parks,”
Hedstrom said. “No one outside of my home
has ever harmed me.  It was only within my
home, [with] the one who professed to love
me, that I was harmed.”
Hedstrom eventually left her marriage.  “I
am 21 years free and safe from domestic
violence…and I really like my life a lot.”
Outside the struggle in her domestic life,
Hedstrom felt she was missing something
else.  “By 1992, my children all had their
chosen degrees.  I couldn’t have been happier,”
Hedstrom said.  “But there was this hole
and I finally recognized that it was because
I always wanted to go
to college.”   I got my first report card, I framed it.”
In the next two years,
she searched for schools
that would accept her
as a non-traditional
student.  Eventually
it was a friend who
convinced her to take
a tour of St. Catherine
University (SCU), then the College of St.
Catherine (CSC).
“The first thing I remember is when I
sat on the furniture.  My feet touched the
floor and my back went to the back of the
furniture.  It was something that a woman
can sit in comfortably,” Hedstrom said.
could receive benefits.
Within the first year of this work, she placed
38 refugee women in positions. Determined
to do even more, she started a mentorship
program to help the women’s children.
Partnering with two local universities, she
paired college students with the young
children to serve as mentors and tutors,
helping the children stay ahead in school.
For her exceptional work, Kebede received
the Virginia McKnight Binger Award for
Human Service.
This past January, with the help of her
business partner and friend, Fresoini Haile
(a refugee from Eritrea), Kebede opened
Flamingo, a restaurant specializing in East
African cuisine. Just six months later, an
unforeseen tragedy struck. In June, a nearby
power outage caused a power surge that
destroyed all of the restaurant’s equipment
and spoiled the food.
The women were dismayed to find out
that the insurance company refused to
cover the costs of the damages, citing the
surge as “an act of God”. The women were
devastated. They had no money to pay for
the building’s rent or to purchase the new
equipment they needed.
Local newspapers heard about the tragedy
and began writing, encouraging people to
support the restaurant in any way possible.
In response, donations began pouring in.
This was enough to convince Hedstrom
to apply to SCU. She said, “At 8:36pm, two
weeks later, the admission person called
and said that I had been accepted.  And I
screamed in his ear.”
On her first day of class as a Weekend
College student she realized she was home.  Swarm of Bees.  It’s a novel written by Carol
“The first professor I met was Sister Alberta
Huber, the former president of CSC, who was
teaching in her 79th year [of age].  I wept,”
Hedstrom said. “The testimony to me was
that women here are not only valued, but
women regardless of age are valued…When
While at SCU she was approached by the
director of Wisdom Ways, a resource center
for spirituality on campus, saying that they
needed a student worker.  “So I went into
[Human Resources], and they said ‘Well,
Weekend College students don’t do that.’  And
I said ‘it needs to change.’  I then began my
work for Wisdom Ways.”  
Hedstrom is now a graduate of SCU.
“Dec 18th 2003, 7:30 pm.  Double major,
Communications and Theology, and Honors
in both.  I would love to go back and do
more,” Hedstrom said.
Hedstrom uses her past experiences to
advocate for social justice today. “Kids have
Above Left: Flamingo’s vegetarian sampler dish on East African ingira bread.
Above: Shegitu Kebede and Fresoini Haile, the founders of Flamingo.
Photos courtesy of Devon Ardnt
Some people sent money and mailed cards
offering prayers of support, while even more
visited the restaurant, several ordering more
food then they could eat.
“When you are a refugee you feel you
don’t belong,” Kebede said. “It is incredible
to be affected by people’s kindness....to see
they they really care about you.” As a result
of the community’s support, Flamingo is
financially stable again.
The women have been able to resume what
they had originally set out to do, creating a
restaurant that not only satisfies its customers
but also the community it serves. A portion
of Flamingo’s profits are used to support
community groups, including the mentor
program Kebede started so many years ago.
The authentic East African menu of Flamingo
is varied and extensive. On a recent visit, I
tried the sambusa, an appetizer consisting
October 8, 2010
Ginger Hedstrom.
Photo courtesy
of CSJ website
and used with
permission of
Ginger Hedstrom
a wonderful way of saying things.  ‘Nobody’s
mucher’ is what the kids used to say when
they were little.  When I find oppressions
of any form intolerable, I have a hard time
with that.”  
“There’s a wonderful book titled, Like a
Ann O’Marie, and she’s a Sister of St. Joseph
from Los Angeles…And that’s, now, really
the image that I have of the Sisters, being that
swarm…they’re noisy, they’re productive,
they’re active, and they make the sweetest
stuff.  We need bees.  I like being a bee,”
Hedstrom said.
To anyone who is advocating for social justice,
Hedstrom has a few words of advice.  First,
you must be involved to make a difference;
a bee is only a bee on its own.  And second,
“You don’t need to drive, or take the bus, just
cross the parking lot.  The work groups and
task groups are open, wide open.”
Becky can be reached at
rjdoucette@stkate.edu
of three crispy pastry shells stuffed with
spiced lentils and served with a side of a
red chili sauce, which was sensational. I also
tried the vegetarian combo platter which
consisted of the restaurant’s signature injera
bread topped with five different mixtures. I
balanced these out with a mango lassi drink
infused with yogurt.
The food is as diverse as the customers
Flamingo serves, and the prices are reasonable
enough that a college student can afford them.
After visiting with Kebede and hearing her
story, I remembered her wish that “… Every
meal will be a meaningful meal.”
Kebede and Haile have achieved exactly
that with Flamingo.
Devon can be reached at
dvarndt@stkate.edu