“A Personal Finnish Immigration Story” to be topic at the Lake Vermilion Cultural Center
Attention all Finns and friends of Finns! The Lake Vermilion Cultural Center is pleased to announce that Val Myntti will be the presenter as part of the education series of the Lake Vermilion Cultural Center in Tower, Minnesota. The event will be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 in St. Mary’s Hall, starting with a potluck supper at 5:30. Please bring a dish to share. The presentation will begin at 6:15.
The title of Val’s presentation is “A Personal Finnish Immigration Story”. She will discuss how the Finns came to America with an already well-formulated cooperative ethos that emphasized the common good and mutual aid over narrow self interest. It is fascinating to see how that philosophy thrived on the Iron Range. Finnish immigrants brought their own brand of ‘Finnish Socialism’ to America that inspired them to help lead northern Minnesota’s labor unions and the workers fight for fair play and safer working conditions in the mines and lumber mills. They created consumer cooperatives and intentional communities throughout the upper Midwest. Their Finnish ancestors’ deeply held values of communitarianism offer insight into how to address some of the most vexing challenges of our time.
Val was born in Duluth, Minnesota and lived in various Iron Range mining towns until the 6th grade, when her family left Minnesota. She has BS and MS degrees from the University of Utah, as well as a law degree from Rutgers University in New Jersey. Her career included the practice of law and leading an independent college prep school in New York (nursery through grade 12).
Val and her husband, Frank Sherman, retired to the Myntti cabin at Eagles Nest Lake 3 in 2018 and travel part of the year.
This event is part of the ongoing education series the LVCC has sponsored over the last 11 years. Note: the LVCC is also hosting the play “These Shining Lives” by Melanie March on Sept. 10 at 2:30 and 11 and 12 at 7pm. This event is presented by the Stages of the Range Players. Tickets are $20 at the door or may be purchased online at https://tinyurl.com/SRPTheater.
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