Over the last 30 years, the status of women has undergone a decided shift, with more women decision makers in upper management and in professions closed to them in the past. At the same time, recognition of a woman's right to be free from domestic abuse and sexual harassment has slowly but persistently spread. Many of these changes reflect the efforts of one determined woman, Arvonne Fraser.

Fraser grew up in Lamberton and attended the University of Minnesota earning a B.A. in liberal arts. Today, she is a Senior Fellow Emerita, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, at her alma mater. The intervening years have been filled with public service to enhance human rights and the status of women.

Among Fraser's achievements are organizing and directing International Women's Rights Action Watch, Center on Women and Public Policy and the national Washington office of Women's Equity Action League. She has served as U.S. representative to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women with the rank of ambassador and has been a member of the U.S. delegation to World Conferences on Human Rights meeting in Vienna, Copenhagen and Mexico City.

Fraser's dedication has not gone unnoticed. Over the years she has received these awards: Louis B. Sohn Human Rights award (United Nations Association); although not a lawyer, Prominent Women in International Law Award (American Society of International Law); Superior Honor Award (U.S. Agency for International Development) and Elizabeth Boyer Award (WEAL). She has also received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Macalester College.

She remains active in the community serving on several boards.

Don Fraser has had a strong, positive impact on his city, his state and his country. After graduation from the University of Minnesota, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before returning to the university to earn his law degree. He began his political life as a state senator, followed by 15 years in Congress as U.S. Representative from Minnesota's Fifth District. Later he was elected to four terms as mayor of Minneapolis, the longest serving mayor in Minneapolis history.

In each elective office, he worked for fairness and to improve the lot of his most vulnerable constituents. In the state senate he authored Minnesota's Fair Housing Law; in Congress his effect was felt in many places including initiation of the first comprehensive study of U.S. foreign policy and international human rights. He authored several laws requiring the U.S. government to give greater attention to human rights issues. As mayor of Minneapolis, he was active in fostering collaboration among governmental units; he was a presidential appointee to the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations and was elected president of the National League of Cities.

Teaching is also part of Fraser's list of accomplishments. As an adjunct professor in the University's Law School and at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, he has taught courses on international human rights and on early childhood and public policy. Advocating for children has remained a theme in his public service. He initiated numerous programs to improve lives of children and continues to be active in organizations addressing policies affecting children and education.

He has been married for 55 years to Arvonne who has shared activities and awards with him in the field of human rights.

The Frasers live in Minneapolis and have six children and seven grandchildren.

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The $5.00 registration for the morning workshops only will be available at the door.

A limited number of $27.00 registrations for the entire expo and canvention, including lunch, will be available at the door, if lunches are available.