EDITORIAL: Worthy trio joins the hall

The people who want to change things are the ones who make history. Regardless of their success or failure, their place in history comes from the fact that they don’t just accept the lives into which they were born.

Goodhue County Historical Society Executive Director Char Henn included that message in her talk last Wednesday on Women’s History Month. Moments later, Women’s Network inducted three people into the Red Wing Women’s Hall of Fame. All three have dedicated their lives to bringing about change.

Audrey Bennett made history as the first woman Prairie Island Tribal Council president. Born to a repressed and economically depressed people, she grew up believing things could be better. She has used her numerous leadership opportunities to break that mold for herself and the community.

Roseanne Grosso goes into the history books as the first woman Goodhue County commissioner. While no longer in office, she spends as much time as ever serving on commissions, panels and councils for local government. She knows that you don’t have to be elected to help implement changes that will make this a better place tomorrow, next year and a generation from now.

Linda Thielbar is the ultimate citizen activist. She steadily works on her own and in organizations to ensure people’s rights and to promote opportunities for all people — but especially for girls and women, children and families.

To quote Henn: “History is made by people who ask why something is the way it is and follow it up with: Why can't it be different and how do we make it happen?”

Bennett, Grosso and Thielbar continue to make things happen. They are fitting additions to the hall of fame.

Tags: opinion, editorials