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From the
University Chronicle at St.Cloud State:
The “30 Years of Courage, Commitment and Change” event in Atwood’s Cascade room brought a piece of human rights history to the SCSU campus.
“This is an incredibly important event,” said Director of LGBT Resources and event organizer Heidi Aldes. “This isn’t just part of SCSU history, it is part of LGBT rights, disability rights, women’s rights and really, human rights as a whole.”
“30 Years of Courage, Commitment and Change” celebrated 30 years of commitment between Sharon Kowalski and Karen Thompson. (The two are pictured.)
The couple met at SCSU when Kowalski met Thompson in a physical education class in 1974.
In 1979, the couple vowed their love for each other and exchanged rings in an impromptu personal ceremony in their car on the side of a stretch of Midwest Highway.
In 1983, Kowalski was struck by a drunk driver.
The accident left Kowalski in a coma, and then severely disabled from head trauma.
The accident forced Thompson to reveal their relationship to Kowalski’s parents.
Unwilling to acknowledge their relationship, Thompson was barred from bringing Kowalski to their home or even general visitation rights to the nursing home where Kowalski stayed.
Without a durable power of attorney, Thompson was powerless to claim guardianship of Kowalski.
“Absolutely make sure that as young people you are legally protected in case competency ever becomes an issue, a durable power of attorney will allow you to outline your wishes should you ever be disabled, and are available for free in every doctors office and online,” Thompson said.
Thus began a nine year legal battle and a nationwide movement to bring Sharon Kowalski to live with Thompson.
“This case was about so much more than partner rights. This was about the rights of the disabled, of women, gay or straight. It should be known that we were never after special rights, we were and are after equal rights,” Thompson said.
After nine years of a legal struggle, Sharon was allowed to live with Thompson in 1993.
The event opened and closed with performances by Judy Fjell, long time friend of the couple and activist musician.
Speakers included Minnesota Senator Tarryl Clark, who stressed the importance of activism in one’s own city.
Additionally, Sue Wilson, long time attorney on the case, gave insight into the legal intricacies and struggles through the eyes of the person who lived it.
Co-author of the book “Why Can’t Sharon Kowalski Come Home?” Julie Andrzejewski also spoke at the event, stressing the importance of fighting for human rights.
The evening culminated with partners Sharon Kowalski, Karen Thompson and Patty Bresser receiving St. Cloud 2009 Trailblazer Lifetime Achievement Awards.
From the University Chronicle at St.Cloud State:
