Finnish Independence Day program to honor women Dec. 6 at Finnish American Heritage Center

Finnish author and renowned women's rights advocate Minna Canth (1844-1897), is pictured here in her youth (age 13-16). (Photo courtesy wikimedia.org, published under Creative Commons)  

HANCOCK -- It’s been nearly 100 years since women in the U.S. earned the right to vote, exactly 100 years since the U.S. began official diplomatic relations with Finland, and 175 years since Minna Canth, Finland’s most famed champion for women’s rights, was born. Finlandia University’s Finnish American Heritage Center invites everyone to a program on Friday, Dec. 6, celebrating all of these milestones and Finland’s Independence Day.

Beginning at 6 p.m. at the Finnish American Heritage Center, the program honoring Finland’s Independence Day will feature some high-caliber music and drama, with a series of vignettes honoring six notable women from Finnish-American and Finnish religious and political circles who left an indelible mark on Finnish history on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. These portrayals will be interspersed with Finnish songs and hymns performed by a cadre of local musicians, including rising young vocalist Matt Riutta and acclaimed pianist Kathy Alatalo-Arten.

The program will also include a performance by the Kivajat Youth Folk Dancers, as well as the announcement of the Hankooki Heikki honoree for 2020 by the City of Hancock’s Finnish Theme Committee. In true Copper Country and Finnish-American style, this program is a collaboration of numerous volunteers who enjoy sharing their talents with the greater community.

The program is open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to wear their national costumes -- Finnish or otherwise -- to the event. For further details about the program, call (906) 487-7549 or (906) 487-7347.

Local mothers, daughters, friends inspired by joining Jan. 21 Women's March in D.C.

By Michele Bourdieu

Katie Maki, right in green jacket, and her daughter, Daphne, of Houghton, march together displaying their original signs during the Jan. 21 Women's March in Washington, D.C. Katie's sign quotes from a song Daphne wrote for the march, "Stand Tall," a song of peace and inclusion and love, not hate, while Daphne's sign is about the "pussy hats" worn by participants as a statement of women's solidarity, feminine power and women's rights. The U.S. Capitol building can be seen in the background. (Photo courtesy Katie Maki)*

HOUGHTON -- At the Jan. 21, 2017, Women's March in Washington, D.C., many mothers marched with or on behalf of their daughters. Others marched with sisters, children and friends -- old and new. Thousands wore pink "pussy hats" to show their solidarity. Among them were women -- and men -- from the Copper Country and other parts of the Upper Peninsula, many of whom took a long bus ride from Marquette, making friends with fellow marchers and sharing energy and inspiration.

Katie and Daphne Maki

Katie Maki of Houghton and her daughter, Daphne, 16, who had marched across the Lift Bridge in Houghton for the Save Health Care march on Jan. 15, told Keweenaw Now they would be going to D.C. for the Women's March and promised to share their experience and photos. They traveled with a large group of U.P. marchers -- men, women and children -- by bus from Marquette -- 18 hours each way. Katie said it was a life-changing experience for both of them.

"One of the most powerful chants that we heard during our march was the Women chanting, 'My body my choice,' and the men responding with 'Her body her choice.'" Katie said. "The echoing chants sent chills down my spine and my hair stood up. Along with 'Tell me what democracy looks like! This is what democracy looks like' and many many others. The energy was palpable. The police and security people were friendly and supportive, some even wearing pink Pussy Project hats."**

Daphne Maki and her sign can be seen in this video clip her mother, Katie Maki, took during the Women's March in Washington, D.C. (Video © and courtesy Katie Maki)

Katie noted the march was characterized by peace and unity.

Marchers walk past the Washington Monument during the Jan. 21 Women’s March in Washington D.C. (Video © and courtesy Katie Maki)

"Everyone was there to support each other and to make it clear that we are WATCHING and we are not going anywhere," she said. "The resistance to Trump and all that he stands for will be omnipresent. We will not stand by and let the Trump administration divide us by race, religion, sexual orientation and identity, or anything else. We are all motivated to keep moving forward with different groups to mobilize and organize into action moving forward to fight for the Earth and all of its people."

Participants  march alongside a giant Earth ball at the Jan. 21 Women’s March in Washington, D.C. (Photo © and courtesy Katie Maki)

Katie said she was impressed that everyone treated her 16-year-old daughter as an equal. The other marchers were an inspiration to both of them, she added.

"We met wonderful people along the journey and bonded with many in their 60s who had protested Vietnam and fought for equality for decades," Katie noted. "The sea of pink hats and the amount of men supporting us at the march was absolutely overwhelming."

Thousands of marchers fill Constitution Ave. at 4 p.m. -- all ages, men and women, all races, all religions. Participants numbered nearly half a million, according to estimates. (Video © and courtesy Katie Maki)

Katie said it was important for her to share the march with her daughter.

Daphne, left, and Katie Maki at the Women's March in D.C. (Photo courtesy Katie Maki)

"I want to teach my daughter that she has a voice," Katie explained. "That she matters. That we all have the power to change minds and move mountains."

Daphne Maki, 16, of Houghton marches with her hand-painted sign in the Women’s March in Washington, D.C. The sign says "Pussy Power" in Russian. The sign represents that all women all over the world have power. (Photo courtesy Katie Maki)**

Daphne Maki said the experience of participating in the march gave her hope for the future.

"Living somewhere where my thoughts and feelings on social issues seem to be a minority, the march gave me so much reassurance that I am definitely not alone and I have hope for the future and my generation," she said.

Beth and Kate Flynn

Elizabeth (Beth) Flynn of Hancock Township joined her daughter, Kate Flynn, in Washington, D.C., for the Jan. 21 Women's March. Kate, a former Keweenaw Now guest writer, is now living and working in D.C. Beth and Kate both shared their photos with Keweenaw Now.

Beth Flynn, Michigan Tech emerita professor of reading and composition, is pictured here with her daughter, Kate Flynn, at the Jan. 21 Women's March in Washington, D.C. (Photo courtesy Elizabeth Flynn)

"The experience was so much more than I expected," Beth said. "People may not be aware that the crowd was so big that there really couldn't be a march. All the space was filled with smiling women, men, girls, babies. I saw an American Indian group, some women in head scarves, women in wheelchairs, women drumming, people chanting and cheering.

Nurses march for women's health and women's lives. (Photo © and courtesy Elizabeth Flynn)

"The experience continues as I read about and see pictures of other marches in other locations including other countries and Seneca Falls, the birthplace of the women's suffrage movement. All of this is juxtaposed against reports about alternate facts, a dystopian inaugural address, and anti-abortion initiatives. I think we are all just going to continue to meet and do what we can to build a kinder, more aware and sensitive culture."***

Signs rise above the heads of the huge crowd at the Women's March in D.C. (Photo © and courtesy Elizabeth Flynn)

Beth also noted that former Secretary of State John Kerry was present at the march.

"Toward the end, maybe 2:30 or 3:00, some space opened up, probably because some people had left by then," she commented. "We marched toward the city for about a half an hour. There were people on bridges cheering us on, in some cases wearing pussy hats."

The U.S. Capitol can be seen in the background in this photo of the crowded marchers. (Photo © and courtesy Elizabeth Flynn)

Kate Flynn noted the march was peaceful in spite of the fact that so many people showed up, preventing the participants from following the original planned route.

Displaying a variety of messages on their signs, marchers walk through the streets near D.C.'s L'Enfant Plaza. (Photo © and courtesy Kate Flynn)

"The march was a great peaceful, intersectional experience that featured a lot of creative homemade signs and positive energy," Kate said. "It seemed like anyone who wanted to air grievances over Donald Trump had showed up, but the focus remained squarely on women's empowerment. It was an amazing experience to share with my mother, who raised me to be a feminist!"

Marchers carry signs and cardboard puppets near the National Mall. (Photo © and courtesy Kate Flynn)

Kate Flynn displays a sign saying, "Women's Rights Are Human Rights." (Photo © and courtesy Aybs Warner. Reprinted with permission.)

Cynthia May Drake, with Kim Green

Local residents Cynthia (Cindy) May Drake and Kim Green also participated in the Women's March in D.C. Although Cindy's daughters did not accompany her, they helped her make her sign. Also, her oldest daughter, a student at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, marched there in a sister march.

Cynthia Drake displays the sign her daughters helped her make for the Women's March in Washington, D.C. Kim Green is just behind her, in pink hat. (Photo © Anne Savage of of Anne Savage Photography. Reprinted with permission.)

"Of all of the signs I saw on Saturday, mine was the most artistic and detailed and many asked me about it or wanted to take a picture of it," Cynthia said. "I was so proud of my girls, helping me create this wonderful sign; and it felt like I carried them with me through it."

Cynthia said her daughters' future was one reason she marched in D.C.

"I dare now to hope for a world we are creating here and now where my three precious daughters do not have to live any longer with fear of being violated simply because they are female gendered," she explained.

Cynthia Drake pauses for a photo with Keweenaw resident Kim Green during the Women's March in D.C. (Photo © Anne Savage of of Anne Savage Photography. Reprinted with permission.)

Cynthia said she described the march in an email to a friend, in part, as follows: "It was a slow, steady pace and everyone was friendly, full of energy and chanting, singing, talking...observing, witnessing.  A sea of humanity of all shapes, sizes, colors, creeds, sexual orientation, ethnicity, etc."

Cynthia also noted she loved seeing families and everyone marching together in this celebration of humanity.

"The most powerful part was again the waves of cheering which would sweep it seems like from a far distance, the echo of sound moving through us all and forward echoing up ahead and back again," she writes. "I will never, as long as I live, forget that sound and vibration in my being."

Kim Green cited the First Amendment as her inspiration for marching: "The First Amendment states: 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.' This is why I marched in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, January 21st, because I can and believe it my civic duty when these and other rights are threatened, violated, or are being challenged by the Government responsible for upholding said rights."

Carolyn Peterson, René Johnson, Barry Fink

Carolyn (Candy) Peterson of Houghton, René Johnson of Hancock and Barry Fink of Houghton also rode to D.C. on a bus from Marquette.

Carolyn Peterson of Houghton waits with other bus riders in Vienna, MD, where they would board the metro at the end of the Orange Line and head into D.C. for the march. Not pictured but also present here (and pictured in a photo below) is Barry Fink of Houghton. "The march was a fabulous experience," Barry said. "The energy and wonderful spirit of civility and hope was so uplifting." (Photo © and courtesy René Johnson)

"There were four buses from the UP," Carolyn said. "We left from Marquette at 6 a.m. Friday.  Fantastic trip! It was so very positive and warm and inspiring and FUN!!! Haven't felt so energized in years!!!

She was able to connect with other Upper Peninsula marchers -- including Cindy and Dickie Selfe, former Michigan Tech faculty -- thanks to a Yooper sign in the crowd.

A sign in the shape of the U.P. attracts fellow Yoopers during the Women's March. (Photo © and courtesy Cindy Selfe. Reprinted with permission.)

"One of our Yooper marchers, P.J. Besonen, made this sign, which inspired many who recognized the shape of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, to engage us in conversation," Carolyn said. "Two of my favorite moments -- a little boy, on his dad's shoulders, shouting 'What does democracy look like?' and our response, 'This is what democracy looks like!' Second, walking with a young Chinese woman who had been reluctant to join the march until we encouraged her to walk with us, surrounded by people of all colors, chanting 'No hate, no fear -- immigrants are welcome here!' Now....... to put all this loving energy into action in our home communities!"

Carolyn Peterson (center, facing camera) marches with other participants from the U.P. including Barry Fink of Houghton (in foreground with pink hood and beret hat). (Photo courtesy René Johnson)

René Johnson, Finlandia University Servant Leadership director and assistant professor of religion, said she wanted to go to the march as soon as she heard about it.

"I was troubled by the bigotry that the election had inflamed and was unable to tolerate that negative tone being promoted by 'leadership,'" René explained. "My motivation for going was to exude a positive message during negative times. I wanted to promote togetherness, and the unity principles of the march were right in line with what I'd been thinking about."

René Johnson of Hancock wears her message on an original sign during the Women's March in D.C. (Photo © P.J. Besonen of Covington, Mich., and courtesy René Johnson)

René wore a sign that took lyrics from the Pointer Sisters' 1973 song "Yes We Can, Can":

René's message, from a Pointer Sisters' 1973 song, continues on her back. (Photo © P.J. Besonen of Covington, Mich., and courtesy René Johnson)

"And kindness was indeed everywhere," René continued. "Participating in the march in D.C. was an encouragement to me, restoring my hope in humanity; this was the most diverse group of people (in age, gender, race, religion....), the largest mob, and the most positive energy I have ever been around. I had the privilege of going to D.C. to take part in a historic event. Now I must buckle down and be a part of history by committing to the hard work ahead to 'make this land a better land than the world in which we live.'"

Notes:

* Click here to watch and listen to Daphne Maki's song for the Women's March, "Stand Tall."

** Click here to learn about the Pussy Hat Project to demonstrate sister solidarity and support for women's rights.

*** See also our Jan. 26, 2017, article on the Sister March in Houghton: "Copper Country Sister March participants -- 500 strong -- demonstrate solidarity with Jan. 21 Women's March in D.C. and beyond."

Copper Country Sister March participants -- 500 strong -- demonstrate solidarity with Jan. 21 Women's March in D.C. and beyond

By Michele Bourdieu

Nearly 500 Copper Country residents turned out for the Sister March on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 21, 2017, in solidarity with the main Women's March in Washington, D.C., and sister marches all over the world. Here marchers line both sides of the bridge and display their signs to oncoming traffic. (Photo © and courtesy Bill Fink Communications, LLC)

HOUGHTON -- Lori Gray and her daughter, Lucy, of Hancock, worked together to create their colorful signs and pink "pussy" hats for the Jan. 21, 2017, Sister March on the Portage Lift Bridge, in solidarity with the Women's March in Washington, D.C., that same day -- brightening the grayness of the cold, wet Keweenaw Saturday.

Lori Gray and daughter, Lucy, display their brightly colored, hand-made signs during the Jan. 21 Sister March on the Portage Lift Bridge. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photos by Keweenaw Now unless otherwise indicated)

Lori Gray said she and Lucy joined the march "to show support for women and other minorities."

The freezing rain on the bridge and cold, damp weather did not deter an estimated 500 or more local concerned citizens -- women, men and children -- from participating in the Sister March.

Participants line up near Bridgeview Park in Houghton for the Jan. 21 Sister March. At 2 p.m. they started up the hill to Shelden Ave. and then walked the length of the bridge to Hancock, with many crossing to the other side. They displayed a variety of signs to traffic heading in both directions.

Leading the marchers as they head up Shelden Avenue are Laura Smyth, left, of Calumet, and Carol Ekstrom of Houghton.

Marchers head from Houghton to Hancock on the Portage Lift Bridge. Most passing drivers honking horns appeared to be supportive, although a few shouted their support for President Donald Trump as they drove by. Click on YouTube icon for larger view. (Videos by Keweenaw Now)

Many participants learned about the march from an email sent by Susan Burack of Hancock, who was one of several organizers of the event.

Susan Burack, left, of Hancock was one of the organizers of the local Sister March, one of many held on Jan. 21, 2017, not only in the U.S. but in countries around the world.

"I 'instigated' the Sister March, registered it with the Women's March website so we got on the map, spread the word via email, Facebook, and local media," Burack said. "I was amazed at the turnout. Close to 200 people had RSVPed on the website, which was already remarkable. We think there were 500 people on the Bridge -- a couple of people thought 1000!"

One participant who received info on the march from Burack's email and helped spread the word was Faith Morrison, Michigan Tech professor of chemical engineering and associate dean of the Graduate School.

"I really appreciated having an opportunity to gather and express support for the rights of women, minorities, immigrants, and members of the LGBTQ community, for freedom of religion, for science, truth, and facts, and for civility," Morrison told Keweenaw Now. "It was a very uplifting event, graciously received by the passersby with only a few exceptions."

Despite the inclement weather and somewhat icy sidewalk on the bridge, the mood of the marchers appeared to be upbeat as they continued to line the bridge, eventually on both sides.

Joanne Thomas of Allouez (Keweenaw County) said she noted the estimate of 500 marchers in other local media and felt that was accurate according to the numbers she observed during the march.

Joanne Thomas of Allouez displays a "women power" sign during the Sister March on the Lift Bridge. Behind her is Dr. Jon Neufeld of Portage Health.

Thomas said she participated in the march "because it was the most important thing that I could be doing to confirm women’s advancement -- that  this new administration has threatened. I am grateful to the organizers who arranged this Sister March. It became more relevant and meaningful to millions worldwide than I had realized."

The Minerick family of Houghton was one of many families who marched together on the bridge. Madison Minerick, 10, was proud of the sign she made:

Rob and Adrienne Minerick pause on the bridge for a photo with their children, Madison, 10, and Luke, 6.

"I'd like equal rights when I'm older," Madison said in explanation of her sign.

Her Mom, Adrienne, said the family discussed some of the issues together before coming to the march, such as the fact that women earn 79 cents on a dollar earned by men.

Marlys Bacon of Houghton carried a brightly colored sign that matched her garb:

Marlys Bacon of Houghton displays her sign for passing traffic on the Lift Bridge.

"I don't think women should have to ask men what we can do with our bodies," Bacon said.

Jessica Anderson and her daughter, Aubrey Anderson, of South Range, marched together, displaying their signs.

Jessica Anderson, left, and her daughter, Aubrey Anderson, came from South Range to join the Sister March.

"I'm here because women are the backbone of the country -- any country," Jessica said.

The progress of the country depends on women, she added, because they raise the future leaders.

During the march, more and more participants joined, slowing the pace while marchers at the front of the line crossed U.S. 41 to continue on the other side of the bridge for the return to Houghton.

The Sister March in Houghton on the Portage Lift Bridge slows down at a few points while marchers on one side of the bridge wait for many of those at the head of the march to cross traffic safely to the other side of the street. Eventually participants stood or walked on both sidewalks lining the bridge. In this video clip a few latecomers hurry up an icy hill to join the march.

Pastor Bucky Beach of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Houghton carried a rainbow flag in the march.

"Women's rights are all people's rights," Beach noted. "Women's issues are all people's issues. The rainbow flag represents that we need to stand together, not apart."

Bucky Beach, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, carries a rainbow flag representing unity. Pictured with him, from left, are David Hall and his wife, Dana Van Kooy, of Houghton and Ramon Fonkoué of Cameroun, Michigan Tech associate professor of French language and French and Francophone culture and literature.

Keren Tischler of Hancock carried a world flag in the march, reflecting her concern for the planet.

Keren Tischler of Hancock carries a world flag across the Lift Bridge during the march.

"I participated in the Sister March because showing up feels like the right action right now," Tischler said. "I think our planet and its occupants need help bringing voice to matters that involve dignity, respect and stewardship. Seeing both sides of the bridge packed with people made me proud of our community."

Krissy Sundstrom of Houghton and Kayla Cowan of Calumet carried signs supporting women's issues.

Kayla Cowan of Calumet, left, and Krissy Sundstrom of Houghton display their signs of concern for women's issues. In the background, carrying her colorful Kindness sign, is Susan Dlutkowski of Stanton Township. Susan's husband, Dave Harmon, and their two daughters also participated in the march.

"I am here to stand in solidarity with the women and families who are marching in D.C.," Krissy Sundstrom told Keweenaw Now. "This event has been filled with friendship, kindness, and positive energy. It has been a wonderful experience!"

More photos:

More colorful signs of solidarity.

Gloria Melton, retired Michigan Tech dean of students, with her sign.

Grace Parikh, Michigan Tech Ph.D. student in Forestry, is joined by her fiancé, Daniel Jamison, visiting from Duluth. Daniel said he joined the march with Grace "to support the cause."

Displaying brightly colored signs to cheer the cloudy day are, from right, Deb Mann, her daughter Meryl Lucchesi-Freyberg (both of Houghton), and Tiffany Scullion of Tamarack City.

After crossing U.S. 41 in Hancock, marchers return to Houghton on the opposite side of the bridge, displaying their signs to the passing traffic. Cynthia Coté, Copper Country Community Arts Center executive director, in white jacket, is visible in the crowd.

Connie Julien of the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition and Sons of Norway displays a progressive message about the limited options for women in the 1950s, while Emily Newhouse (not visible here -- see video above) "plays" her Woman Card (a reference to one of Donald Trump's comments on Hillary Clinton).

Her big smile indicates that Renee Bernal of Calumet, center, is happy to be marching.

Another happy participant is Amy Wisti of Hancock, active Democrat and former aide to former First District U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak.

Retired Michigan Tech librarians Janet Dalquist, left, and Ellen Seidel, march together. In the background, all in pink, is Kathy Roberts of Hancock Township.

The march wouldn't be a community event without Nancy, left, and Dianne Sprague of Ripley.

Marchers in Houghton express several concerns with their signs, and the pink "pussy" hats show solidarity with the Women's March in Washington, D.C.

One of the youngest participants gets a ride from Mom.

After the march, Frank Fiala, Fifth and Elm coffee house owner, center, welcomes marchers for hot soup and drinks. Here he chats with former Hancock City Councilman John Slivon and his wife, Ann Pace. Pace, an active Democrat, said she participated in the march "because it was the right (left) thing to do."