BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University will kick off the recognition of Women’s History Month with an opening celebration from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Beaux Arts Ballroom on Saturday, March 1. The event will take place in conjunction with the 2008 induction ceremonies for the Northwest Minnesota Women’s Hall of Fame, which will induct Winona LaDuke and Roxanne Struthers, both of Ponsford, Minn.

The induction ceremony will follow lunch. A portion of “Thunderbird Woman,” a film about LaDuke, will be presented. Environmental music and presentations will be woven into the day to remind attendees that concern for the environment has a powerful history.

Now in its tenth year, the Hall of Fame is a collaborative project sponsored by the Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund, a component of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, and Bemidji State University. The Hall of Fame provides permanent recognition for women of northwestern Minnesota who have made significant contributions to art, athletics, business, government, philanthropy, humanities, science or education.

Tickets must be purchased in advance, and are $20 each ($10 for students), which includes lunch. To purchase tickets, please call Pam Papp at the BSU Cashier’s Office at (218) 755-3993 or (877) 346-2539 by the registration deadline of Wednesday, Feb. 27.

This year’s theme for the luncheon is “Through a Woman’s Eyes: Women’s Vision of the Environment.”

“The women in the Hall of Fame are exemplary role models who have made a positive and significant impact on the social fabric of northwest Minnesota,” said Dr. Louise Jackson, director of women’s studies at Bemidji State. “Each has left a legacy that will endure far into the future.”

Struthers, who will be inducted posthumously, and LaDuke are the 10th group of women to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

For more information or to receive a complete schedule of Women’s History Month events, please contact Jackson or visit the NW Minnesota Foundation on the Web at http://www.nwmf.org/wfund_whf.php.

About the NW Minnesota Women’s Hall of Fame
Hosted on the fourth floor of the A.C. Clark Library at Bemidji State University, the Northwest Minnesota Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes significant achievements of lasting value to society or significant groups within the northern Minnestoa region or to the progress and freedom of women. Portraits and a record of each inductee’s contributions are added to the Hall of Fame following each year’s induction ceremonies, and a traveling display is available to be loaned to interested groups in the region.
Hall of Fame nominations are solicited annually from throughout the region.