bing pixel

Honoring the life of Koryne Horbal

Koryne Horbal takes the oath as U.S. representative to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, 1977. Gloria Steinem holds the Bible.

This past May, Minnesotans mourned the passing of Koryne Horbal. In her lifetime, Horbal launched the Minnesota Women’s Political Caucus and the DFL Feminist Caucus, served as a U.S. representative to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and was appointed the DFL party chair at the age of 31. A vocal and unapologetic activist, Horbal was a champion for women, as well as the LGBTQ+ community. Neither the loss of her husband in 2015 nor the three strokes she subsequently suffered stopped her from working on the 2016 presidential campaign for Hillary Clinton. Horbal did not have the money to attend college in the 1950s, but Augsburg University granted her an honorary degree in 2008 due to her work as a consultant with Augsburg’s Women’s Resources Center. Koryne Horbal lives on through her children, grandchildren, and the feminist spark that she ignited in people around the world.

You can read more about the extraordinary life of Koryne Horbal here.

Star Tribune celebrates Koryne Horbal, mentions lecture series

Minneapolis Star Tribune - logoThe Minneapolis Star Tribune recently published an article covering the life of Koryne Horbal, political activist and former United Nations ambassador for women. Horbal co-founded the Minnesota DFL’s feminist caucus and was an early champion of still-debated issues such as the Equal Rights Amendment, sexual slavery, reproductive choice, and workplace equity.

The article notes Augsburg’s Koryne Horbal Lecture Series in which the College welcomes prominent feminist speakers including Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda, Winona LaDuke, and The Guerilla Girls. Horbal has been a consultant for the Women’s Resource Center at Augsburg and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the College in 2008.

This year, the lecture will take place on March 9 and feature Nekima Levy-Pounds, president of the Minneapolis chapter of the NAACP. More information on the event is available on the Convocation Series website.

Read “Minnesota political pioneer Koryne Horbal looks back” on the Star Tribune site.

Women’s rights leader Gloria Steinem unites campus and community

Gloria Steinem speaks in Hoversten Chapel
Gloria Steinem speaks in Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center.

The 2013 Koryne Horbal Lecture with women’s rights icon Gloria Steinem was a “can’t miss” event for Augsburg College student Ali Smith ’15.

“Feminism is something I’m interested in,” Smith said. “It’s a way to bond with my professors and friends because we’re working toward the common goal of equity.”

Each year, the Anne Pederson Women’s Resource Center at Augsburg College hosts the Koryne Horbal Lecture to bring to campus speakers of national distinction who address issues that influence women. The event attracts Augsburg students, like Smith, as well as faculty and staff members, and—increasingly—members of the greater Twin Cities community. Continue reading “Women’s rights leader Gloria Steinem unites campus and community”

Augsburg honors two at June commencement

june_commence 1 At the June 29 commencement ceremony Augsburg College will grant honorary degrees to two individuals whose life accomplishments are reflective of this year’s commencement theme — “Global Learning.” Honorary degree candidates are selected from a field of nominees forwarded to the President and approved by the Board of Regents. June honorary degree recipients are:

Koryne E. Horbal

Ambassador Koryne E. Horbal has worked tirelessly throughout her life to empower women around the world and to give voice to their issues. Continue reading “Augsburg honors two at June commencement”