Please join us on Saturday, September 23rd from 3 pm to 8 pm for a celebration of the connection between Women and Wolves. Experience first-hand the sights and sounds of several different species and subspecies of wolves, while on a guided tour of the Wildlife Science Center. Listen to author Debra Mitts-Smith as she lectures on the ways wolves are represented in literature. Hear the life stories of two young biologists who have made wolves their lives. More presenters to be announced!
Cost: $50/person (includes dinner and refreshments)
Dinner will be catered, and will include vegetarian and vegan options. Space is limited to 70 women (Ages 21+), so get your registration in now!
Woman and Wolves Presenters
Peggy Callahan, WSC Executive Director
A native of Rochester, MN, Peggy first became interested in canines through her family dogs who were her constant companions. Inspired by a reply to a letter she had sent to a wolf biologist asking for a job at age eight, Peggy earned a degree in Biology from Carleton College and began working for the “Wolf Project” in August 1985. For five years she managed the colony for research, focusing on refining chemical immobilization techniques for use in the field. In addition to her wolf time, Peggy also assisted with studies involving Black Bear, Red Fox, White-tailed Deer and Wolves in the field, including assisting with the Isle Royale wolf captures in 1989 and 1991. When federal funding for the Wolf Project ceased in 1991, the Wildlife Science Center was created by Peggy to keep the facility open. After three years of intensive building and program planning, the Wildlife Science Center opened it’s doors to the public as a non-profit education and research facility. Scientific Papers
Debra Mitts-Smith, Author
Debra Mitts-Smith is the author of Picturing the Wolf in Children’s Literature. Her study begins with illustrated stories about the wolf beginning in the 1500s and continues through the present day. She considers the villainous beast of “Little Red Riding Hood” and compares that model to the nurturing wolves of Romulus and Remus or Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. Beginning in the 1960s, scientific research lead to a changed understanding of the wolf and Debra shows how this was reflected in a more nuanced picture of the wolf in children’s books. A compelling speaker when discussing her beloved wolves, both real and fictional, Debra’s talk presents a wide range of visual images. She has been a featured speaker at academic conferences and recipient of the Mann Lecture award by the Pennsylvania State University.
Debra is currently at work on a new book that will explore the cultural history of the wolf. The Wildlife Science Center continues to provide scientific support to her work and is pleased that she will be able to speak at our “Women and Wolves” event.
Megan Callahan-Beckel, Animal Care Coordinator at WSC
Megan has worked at WSC her whole life, but was added to official staff in May of 2019. She is our primary wolf mom and works very hard to make sure our pups have a safe and well socialized up-bringing each summer. During the past winters Meg has worked on several studies at and away from WSC including; Harvard’s MicroBiome Study, Duke University’s Canine Cognition Study, University of Arizona’s Canine Cognition Study and a recent reproductive study for the Species Survival Program.
Hope Flanagan, Community Outreach and Culture Teacher at Dream of Wild Health
Hope Flanagan (Seneca) is from the turtle clan. She is an elder who teaches about plants and wild plant gathering. She is also a Storyteller in the Native Community. She has taught and worked in the Twin Cities Native Community since the late 70’s. Most recently, Hope taught in an Ojibwe Immersion classroom for ten years, and prior to that as a Storyteller for Minneapolis Public Schools in drug and alcohol prevention for six years. She has worked at DWH since 2009 and transitioned to a year round position in 2018.
