50 Fun Facts About Rochester Women

From the Quirky to the Significant

By Amy Brase

We’re 50 issues old at Rochester Women magazine! If there’s one wonderful thing about aging, other than growing wiser, it’s the excuse to celebrate. In honor of the women who make this magazine possible and as a tribute to you, our faithful readers, we’ve compiled a list of 50 interesting answers to questions that may or may not have kept you up at night. Disclaimer: By no means is this a complete inventory of every significant woman, business, organization, or lifestyle. In other words, it’s gloriously random.

ABOUT THE MAGAZINE: It all started with a mom who desired a more flexible career. Jorrie Hansen was 30 years old when she rallied up friends, family, and a great community of businesses to bring Rochester Women to life. “I read in a Charles-Schwab investment book that the best time in life to start a business is in your thirties, so I didn’t hesitate,” says Hansen.

The co-publisher of Rochester Women is a man Doug Solinger.

The first issue was released in Spring 2000. “We had a group of us putting 15,000 “Premiere Issue!” stickers on all the covers. I will never forget how many 15,000 are!” says Hansen.

Tracy McCray from KROC was spotlighted as RW’s first cover girl.

Ellington Miller is the third editor of RW, preceded by Kimberly Keebler Dresner and Jennifer Koski.

Miller’s four dogs enjoy staying up late with her while she edits.

There are 9 women on the RW staff. The magazine features work from a pool of more than 30 freelance writers.

IN NUMBERS:

As of July 2007, there were approximately 50,928 women living in Olmsted County.

The most common occupations for Rochester women : . Registered nurses (10%) . Secretaries and administrative assistants (7%) . Health technologists and technicians (6%) . Other office and administrative support workers including supervisors (5%) . Retail sales workers except cashiers (4%) . Preschool, kindergarten, elementary and middle school teachers (4%) . Child care workers (3%) - According to City-Data.com

Olmsted Medical Center has 78 healthcare female providers. The percentage of female staff, residents, and fellows at Mayo Clinic is 70%.

922 (or 78%) of Rochester School District teachers are female.

READING:

36,528 women age 18 and older are registered library card holders at the Rochester Public Library

“Book discussion groups are sky-rocketing,” says Kimberly Edson, head of Reader Services. “Whether it’s over coffee or with an online community, women enjoy talking about what they read.”

The latest trends in the most popular genres of pleasure reading: Literary Fiction: Author Jodi Picoult, Chris Bohjalian, and many of Oprah’s early picks. Chick-Lit: Authors Joy Fielding, Candace Bushnell, Jennifer Weiner, Sophie Kinsella Mysteries: Especially those featuring female characters written by Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, Marcia Muller, and the James Patterson Women’s Murder Club Series Inspirational Fiction: Authors Terri Blackstock, Karen Kingsbury, Dee Henderson, Lauraine Snelling

In the non-fiction category? “Memoir and biography remain popular,” says Edson.

DECORATING:

Women are simplifying their lives. “It’s reflected in the way that they decorate their homes,” says Wendy Edgar from the Crafty Mouse.

Wallscaping is popular. It’s a way of combining photographs, beautiful sayings, and shadow boxes to make a statement about who you are.

The Mouse recently hosted a series of popular Girls’ Nights. “Women of all ages are finding reasons to get out more often together, whether it’s for shopping or Bunco. There’s a new movement of women who realize that we’re all so busy but still need to schedule time for ourselves to laugh and have fun,” says Edgar.

INDULGENCE:

Women and Wine “When it comes to taste buds, recent trade journals note the increasing number of women in the ranks of Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine. Studies show that women have more sensitive tasting faculties than most men, and more accurate flavor and aroma memories.” - Doug Ocheltree, Andy’s Liquor

FASHION:

Peg Dass, a general sales manager at Macy’s, shares a few of Rochester’s trends for fall: . Oversized, designer handbags. . Faux animal print leather think python and crocodile. . A new brand by Lucky a very hippy, retro look with fringe, patchwork, and leather. . Feminine blouses with ruffles, bows, details. Jackets and suits with a feminine silhouette that can be dressed up or down. . Fun shoes Mary Janes updated with higher heel, suede boots and boots with fringe

“The women who shop in Rochester love the trends in small doses. They enjoy updated classics,” says Dass.

Jessica Amos, owner of Hair Studio 52 and Day Spa, says women are requesting classic hairstyles with a bit of flair. “One example is a bob that’s inverted or accentuated with color,” says Amos.

As for the beauty salon chatter? “Rochester women are very involved with their kids and sports; that’s what we talk about,” says Amos.

Five stylists were pregnant at the same time this year at R!ah Hair Studio. Receptionist Sue Jensen confirmed that six baby girls were born to the R!ah family. In case you’ve wondered, R!ah is “hair” spelled backwards with an exclamation point for the “i.”

TRAVEL: Two buses of 50 people each joined Rochester Women Magazine and Rochester Community Education for the first annual Minnesota Rivers Winery Tour on September 12, 2008.