Chair
Member at Large
Megan Heidinger is an art school drop-out, a human-mammal, and someone deeply committed to reducing harm. She has a variety of experiences in both art and life, having done everything from lithographic printing to children's librarianship to hospice volunteering. They are a trained facilitator through the Good Grief Network and a passionate advocate for human rights issues. They currently reside in Jamestown with their loving partner and three cats
The Human Rights event with Dr. Briese has been rescheduled for February. Please mark your calendars accordingly.
Come spend an hour with Brittany Chandler as she shares about the work she does with the students at Anne Carlsen and updates on the new facility. Brittany has been serving as the Director of Education at Anne Carlsen since July 2023. She started supporting students with disabilities at Anne Carlsen in 2014 as a Direct Support Professional, which sparked a devotion in special education and disability advocacy, and has continued this passion for 10 years. Brittany worked in special education in the public school system for five years before making the transition to a full-time position at Anne Carlsen. Brittany grew up in Jamestown and graduated from the University of Jamestown in 2018. She has a BA in Elementary Education and Psychology, MS in Special Education from UND, and is wrapping up her specialist degree in Educational Leadership from MSUM.
The term “Human Rights” is often tossed around in society today, especially by minority groups, underserved populations, and politicians. But what exactly are Human Rights? Everyone on earth has fundamental rights simply because they are human. Do you know yours? And just how did they come into existence? Join “P Doc” as she shares the history of Human Rights, the important historical figures who contributed to their development, and discusses where we stand today. Free and open the the public. Light refreshments will be available. Donations to the Stutsman County Human Rights Coalition are always appreciated, and please consider joining the SCHRC! Together, we can make a difference in this world.
You are invited to an evening of learning what YOUR rights are as a voter! Please join the Stutsman County Human Rights Coalition in welcoming Cody Schuler, Advocacy Manager from the ACLU of North Dakota! Free pop and pizza starting at 6:00 with the presentation following at 7:00!
Annual Meeting and Elections, followed by a Speaker Panel on Addiction.
The purpose of the Allied Picnic is to bring people together, have a good time and develop a network of like-minded people.
Please join us for the First Annual Jamestown Juneteenth Event on June 22nd from 3:00-6:00! The Arts Center, together with the Stutsman County Human Rights Coalition, welcome Fred Edwards and the team from Fred's Dissonance to Jamestown! Fred is a distinguished Creative Director and accomplisthed teaching artist who demonstrates extensive expertise and visionary leadership! Come learn about African American history, enjoy food and live music, a scavenger hunt and art installations! Fun for the whole family! This will be a sober, "no alcohol" event.
Kathleen Coudle-King will present a dramatic reading of excerpts from her play "Retail Therapy: 700 Years of Mental Health Care" on May 16th at 7 p.m. The play spotlights the various attitudes toward mental illness over the centuries and the treatments. In this presentation, Kathleen will share a monologue from the point of view of Zelda Fitzgerald (F. Scott Fitzgerald's wife) and a letter written by Helen Keller, both of which are in the play. In addition, the playwright will share portions of her new play, "Whispers on the Wind," which explores the earliest years of the Jamestown State Hospital. Question and answer session will follow.
Scan the QR code to register and join the North Dakota Suicide Prevention Coalition and Faye Seidler, award winning activist, educator and comunity organizer who specializes in improving equitable outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals. By joining us in this Hope Cafe, you will gain a better understanding of state data as it pertains to suicidality in LGBTQ+ individuals, the unique ways suicidality can be experienced for queer populations, and resources to help mitigate sucidality in our state.
ND AFL-CIO President/Secretary-Treasurer Landis Larson will be our special guest speaker on Thursday March 21, 2024, at the Jamestown Arts Center beginning at 7:00 p.m. Human rights are worker's rights. President Larson will discuss the relationship of unions and human rights. A Q & A will follow.
Transitioning from pediatric to adult health care presents significant challenges for children with special health care needs (CSHCN) and transition-age youth with disabilities. This process often leads to gaps in care, resulting in adverse health outcomes and frustration for both patients and their families. Barriers to Health Care Transition (HCT) include: Feelings of inadequacy in caring for certain disability conditions among health care providers. Inadequate planning and support during the transition process from pediatric to adult health care. Lack of communication, care coordination, guidelines, and protocols between pediatric and adult health care systems. Our training series aims to equip pediatric and adult healthcare professionals with strategies to ensure a successful healthcare transition for this underserved population. Participants will gain expertise in providing care for patients with disabilities and special healthcare needs, learn how the Social Model of Disability can aid in identifying and addressing ableism within healthcare settings, and strategies to support a successful transition from pediatric to adult healthcare.
The Stutsman County Human Rights Coalition, together with the Zonta Club of Jamestown are proud to present a nonpartisan event; Women in Leadership. February 15th, 7:00 PM at The Arts Center, Jamestown, ND. Free and open to the public! Panelists include Katrina Christiansen, Barb Lang, Mary Reed, and Pam Phillips. Come hear these women speak about running for public office at the city, county and state level. Learn what motivated them to serve, what barriers they encountered, as well as who helped them along the way. There will be a question and answer session so come prepared to be motivated by this panel of amazing women leaders!
The Stutsman County Human Rights Coalition will be hosting Joe Rector, James River Valley Library Director, on January 17th at 7:00 PM at the Arts Center in Jamestown. He will be discussing the 2023 book banning legislation and other issues facing our local library system. This event is free and open to all.
The University of Jamestown is hosting Dr. Jeremy Halloway as he discusses his research into the social determinants of health. The presentation is free and open to all. See attached flier for more information.
The University of Jamestown is holding an Art, Photography, and Poetry competition for Martin Luther King Day. The competition is open to the general public, and the deadline is January 11th. Click on the image for details.
The Stutsman County Human Rights Coalition, in partnership with the Jamestown Arts Center, are co-sponsoring the North Dakota Human Rights Art Exhibit opening on December 7 th from 6- 8 pm at the Arts Center in Jamestown. Writers Rhonda Gilbertson and Katie Ryan-Anderson will lead a panel discussion on the role of art in advocating for human rights. Hot Chocolate and treats will be served. The exhibit runs through January 6th. In addition, on December 12 th at 7 pm, there will be a free screening of the film “1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture.” This film tells the story of how in 1946 an erroneous translation of the term “homosexual” in the Bible has been weaponized against the LGBTQIA+ community. Both events are free, open to all, and part of the 2023 North Dakota Human Rights Film and Arts Festival. The festival is a project of The Human Family, a North Dakota based organization with the mission to celebrate and amplify the courageous voices of filmmakers and artists, bringing awareness to human rights, civil rights, or social justice issues.
Andrew Berkey, Operations Manager at Jamestown Area Ambulance- Ringdahl EMS, will be speaking about EMS services in rural areas, supporting emergency service providers and employees. Andrew is the recipient of the 2023 North Dakota EMS Association Media Award. He "brings awareness to the community using creative media techniques about important issues facing EMS." (Steve Urness, News Dakota, April 17, 2023). Andrew will be joined by Jerry Bergquist, former Stutsman County Emergency Manager/9-1-1 Coordinator. Jerry will share the history of 9-1-1 dispatch services, including its origins in the 1980s and recent technological updates
The Stutsman County Human Rights Coalition will host two showings of the documentary, Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution on October 12 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm at The Arts Center in Jamestown. This event is free an open to the public. The 2pm showing will include popcorn, soda pop and water for free-will donation.
Come hear Cody Schular from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) talk about recent legislation in North Dakota that affects all citizens of the state. For more information on the work Cody does with the ACLU, please visit https://www.aclund.org/en/meet-cody
Please join us for our annual membership meeting, September 14th, 2023 at 6:00 PM at The Arts Center in Jamestown. Come meet your board of directors and hear about this year's past events. Consider running for a board position yourself! Positions available are Vice Chair, Secretary and Board Member at Large. Pizza, pop, water and treats will be served.
Please join the Stutsman County Human Rights Coalition as they award the First Annual Mary Smith Award at the Arts Park on July 6th, 2023 at around 5:00 PM. This award is given to a Jamestown community member who has advocated for making Jamestown a better place for all people. The award is given in honor of SCHRC former board member, Mary Smith, who gained her wings on August 3, 2022. There will be music on the stage and we encourage everyone to get up and dance! We know Mary will be dancing, too!
Fargo Human Rights Commission hosting forum on impacts of new state transgender laws: “The Fargo Human Rights Commission will hold an informational forum on the 2023 North Dakota legislative session after the state Legislature passed multiple bills targeting transgender students. The forum, which will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 24 in the Community Room of the downtown Main Library, 101 4th St. N., will explore the legislation's impact on the LGBTQ+ community and discuss"where we go from here," according to a press release from the city of Fargo.
Native American/Indigenous Community Engagement Don L. Hunter Parisien Jr., is the Tribal Health Liaison in the ND Health Equity Office. He has 15+ years in healthcare and public health, health administration and health delivery systems with an emphasis on eliminating health disparities.
Green Dot is a non-violence bystander intervention program that draws upon evidence-based strategies to minimize specific forms of power-based violence. This session will provide an overview of the small ways community members can make a big difference in protecting the rights of everyone to thrive in violence-free spaces. Attendees will learn what green dots are and how they can perform them in their own communities, and more information will be available to anyone who wants to become further involved in Green Dot by attending more in-depth training sessions. Dr. Baughman is also a member of the Valley City Green Dot organization. Their website is at https://www.vcgreendot.com/
Fundraiser to benefit the James River Humane Society! Make a donation or bring a donation item and get a free T-shirt!
Jerome Zamgba will share his story of experiences and hope; his journey from Liberia to America. Also sharing their experiences and hope will be Robert Parsons, Gayflor Smith, and Randy Gibson.
This event will last approximately two hours. Be aware, sensitive issues will be presented! Free pizza provided by Central Valley Health District!
AARP North Dakota representatives will provide an update on legislative work being done on behalf of those 50-plus here in North Dakota on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Arts Center, downtown Jamestown, ND. The 68th Legislative Assembly is currently in session in Bismarck. Legislation affecting prescription drugs, home and community-based services, fraud and consumer protections, pensions and more are expected to be introduced this session. Josh Askvig, State Director, will share how you can help affect change as the legislature approaches the halfway mark in the session. In addition, AARP’s Fraud Watch Network resources will be provided to help protect you and your families from frauds and scams. The public is invited to attend. This event is free and open to all. For more information call: 701-269-7662
From the Executive Committee of the Stutsman County Human Rights Coalition: We condemn the violence perpetrated by Hamas against innocent Israeli citizens on October 7th, 2023, and support the peaceful release of all hostages held in Gaza. We condemn acts of antisemitism and islamophobia here in the United States, and support the peaceful practice of religion guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. We urge all persons to respect the faith of others as they express their anger and grief. We condemn the ongoing and indiscriminate violence between the Israeli Defense Forces and Hamas fighters that has resulted in the death of thousands of Palestinian civilians of various faiths and causing injury and the wide spread destruction of property in Gaza. We support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza by all parties, and the distribution of humanitarian aid to civilians, hospitals and public health facilities. We support the restoration of civil order and services for the people who must live in Gaza. We support international diplomatic efforts to create and sustain a just peace between Jewish and Palestinian peoples who live in the Middle East.
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