Spring 2013

Page 1

THE VASA STAR Vasastjärnan Publication of THE VASA ORDER OF AMERICA

Spring 2013

Presentation of the Swedish-American of the Year – 2013

Vasa Orden av Amerika har utsett Årets Svenskamerikan – 2013

Face Stockholm’s Managing Director, Martina Arfwidson, was born in 1966 in Stockholm, but has family roots in Småland. Martina is the daughter of Gun Nowak, founder of the Swedish cosmetics brand, who grew up in a country village just outside of Växjö. After completing school in Sweden, Martina went directly to New York, where she studied for two years at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy and formed her own á capella trio. While she continued to sing professionally, in the fall of 1989, she joined her mother in opening the first Face Stockholm shop in New York. Martina’s musical background served as a source of inspiration in her work at Face Stockholm. Providing exceptional service and superior products that are true to the Swedish beauty ideal and encourage creativity, learning and self-discovery became the company’s mission. “When I started to work with Mom, I could see the link that this business shared with music, bringing out a woman’s inner beauty is the same as finding your inner voice,” says Martina. Maintaining high standards of quality and committing to environmental awareness have always been key principles behind the brand. Driven by true entrepreneurial spirit, Face Stockholm is guided by passion and creativity, there are no shortcuts, everything must be thought out and challenges are met with tenacitynever give up in the face of adversity. Remaining true to these values for 31 years has led to great success and recognition in many ways. Face Stockholm products are now available at 170 locations worldwide, and together with her mother, Martina has been the proud recipient of several prestigious awards, including: • The Rising Star Award from Fashion Group International, May 2000, USA. • Entrepreneur of The Year from ICMAD (Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers American Division) 200l, USA. • The Crystal Apple Award from Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, NY, 2003 • History Hudson Preservation Award, Hudson 2003rd • FöreningsSparbanken price: Net Economy Woman 2002, Sweden (“The Economy Woman of the Year.”) Martina Arfwidson resides with her family in Upstate New York. Since 1960, a Swedish American of the Year has been chosen annually by the Swedish branch of the Vasa Order of America, a non-profit organization started by Swedish immigrants in the USA in 1896. The Swedish branch of the Vasa Order of America began in 1924. This award highlights accomplishments of prominent Swedish Americans who are either related to early Swedish immigrants, or who have recently immigrated. The award recognizes exceptional work by an individual in his or her profession and/or who has made valuable contributions in promoting good relations between Sweden, the USA or Canada. It highlights the Swedish American community.

Face Stockholms VD Martina Arfwidson är född 1966 i Stockholm och med rötter i Småland. Martina är dotter till Gun Nowak, som är uppvuxen i en by på landet utanför Växjö och grundare av kosmetikaföretaget Face Stockholm. Efter avslutad skolgång i Sverige studerade Martina två år vid The American Musical and Dramatic Academy i New York. Hon startade en á cappella-trio, sången var hennes yrke. 1989 gick Martina in aktivt som affärspartner i Face Stockholm. Tillsammans med Gun Nowak öppnade Martina Arfwidson den första Face Stockholm-butiken i New York. Martinas musikaliska bakgrund blev en inspirationskälla i arbetet med att utveckla Face Stockholm. Hög kvalitet och miljömedvetenhet är ledstjärnor och företagandet vilar på en välgrundad filosofi: - företagande skall bygga på passion och skaparglädje - det finns inga genvägar, allt måste vara genomtänkt - envishet - att inte ge upp för motgångar “När jag började arbeta med mamma såg jag sambandet mellan den här verksamheten och musiken - att föra ut en kvinnas inre skönhet är det samma som att hitta sin inre röst,” säger Martina. Svenska värderingar avspeglar sig i miljötänkande och det skönhetsideal som Face Stockholm representerar och som Martina Arfwidson är stolt över. Face Stockholm har i 31 år stått fast vid sina ideal och nått stor framgång. FACE Stockholms produkter finns nu tillgängliga på 170 platser över hela världen. Framgången med Face Stockholm har lett till flera prestigefyllda priser: • The Rising Star Award from Fashion Group International, May 2000, USA. • Entrepreneur of The Year from ICMAD (Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers American Division) 200l, USA. • The Crystal Apple Award from Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, NY, 2003 • History Hudson Preservation Award, Hudson 2003. • Föreningssparbankens pris: Årets Ekonomikvinna 2002, Sverige (“The Economy Woman of the Year.”) Martina Arfwidson med familj är bosatt i Hudson, norr om New York. Vasa Orden av Amerika har sedan 1960 utnämnt Årets Svensk-Amerikan med syfte att uppmärksamma svenskamerikaner, som antingen har rötter bakåt till den tidiga emigrationen från Sverige eller har utvandrat i modern tid. Utmärkelsen är ett erkännande för framgångsrik yrkeskarriär eller värdefulla insatser för främjande av goda relationer mellan Sverige och USA/Canada, men även ett sätt att ge uppmärksamhet åt Svensk-Amerika. Mottagare av denna hederstitel de senaste fem åren: 2008 Barbro Osher, generalkonsul, 2009 Anne-Charlotte Hanes Harvey, dramaprofessor, 2010 John E. Norton, statsvetare/historiker, 2011 Kerstin Lane, museichef, 2012 Ingvar Wikstrom, entreprenör för svensk matkultur.

On behalf of the Swedish American of the Year Committee 2013 Catherine Bringselius Nilsson For more information, contact: Ewa Pilhammar, tel +46(0) 303-22 55 47, email: ewa.pilhammar@gmail.com Catherine Bringselius Nilsson, tel +46(0) 470-28588, email: cbringselius@telia.com

För Årets Svenskamerikan-kommitté Catherine Bringselius Nilsson

THE GRAND MASTER’S MESSAGE

Bill Lundquist

Dear Vasa Brothers and Sisters, We’ve now entered the fast cycle of District Conventions for 2013. Many districts will be electing their Grand Lodge Delegate/s this year as the choice must be made before March 2014, 120 days prior to our next Grand Lodge convention, July 4-11, 2014. While serving at the convention, delegates are required to complete assigned

committee work necessary to form recommendations related to each motion. Decisions made by the delegation determine whether programs continue over the following four-year term, therefore careful thought, broad mindedness and progressive thinking are required. Innovative thinking is the only way to help the Order move into the next term. Another expectation of your chosen delegate/s is a willingness to take a Grand Lodge office if elected or appointed. Time and travel will be required while serving in an office. I don’t mean to paint a picture of “all work and no play” at a Grand Lodge Convention as host districts plan interesting outings and social functions where delegates and guests have ample opportunity to develop and renew friendships with other Vasa members. If your district hasn’t made the decision regarding your Grand Lodge Delegate, I am hopeful you will nominate your best candidate/s to achieve these objectives. I would also like to encourage all members to con sider attending the

Grand Lodge Convention as a guest. This is also the time that you as a member, local lodge or district lodge should be considering constitutional changes you feel are best for the future of the Order. Please pay careful attention to the facts I’ve shared with you, both in my addresses when I’ve visited your districts and in my articles in the Vasa Star regarding the health of the Order where I’ve shared the reasons why we’ve progressed over the past three years, when you submit your suggested changes. The Vasa National Archives would not have been able to operate this term without the supportive motion that was approved by the last Grand Lodge in session allowing districts the “opportunity to donate up to 5% of their undrawn allocated funds in the OA&B.” Money from member dues currently pays only 50% of operating cost. Volunteer efforts currently help with some maintenance activity. It is not realistic or sensible to continue operating in this manner; there-

fore, delegates will be asked to make important decisions related to the necessary future financial support of the Archives. The Archives is an important arm of the Order. I realize that many of you haven’t visited the Archives located in Bishop Hill, IL, nor will you in the future, therefore you can’t visualize what we are supporting. I often share visual information regarding the Archives when I visit your district conventions and I would be happy to send you my program electronically so you can view it yourself or show it to your membership as a program to familiarize yourself with this important piece of history. The Vasa National Archives holds the history of the Vasa Order, the history of the many brave Swedish immigrants who left Sweden due to famine and religious persecution. They faced tremendous obstacles to come to America. Our members in Sweden celebrate their courage and Swedish Americans celebrate the accomplishments of these ancestors. Our history is housed in this facility.

Please go on line for information regarding Bishop Hill, IL, and consider planning a visit. I would like to encourage your first visit be during a festival time in Bishop Hill such as Juldbruksdagarna (Agricultural Days, Sept. 28-29), Julmarknad (Christmas Market, Dec. 7-8) or Lucia Nights (Festival of Lucia, Dec. 13-14) when the shops with many handcrafted items available, restaurants and museums are open for business. Bishop Hill is a rural community but there are many area hotels available for your visit. Our Archivist, Victoria Almgren, will greet you at the Archives. Please remember the Sami exhibition at the Archives during the month of June. I hope to see many of you at your district conventions during this year and thank all of you for your continued support for all the important benefits of Vasa membership and your personal support and friendship. In Truth and Unity, Bill Lundquist, Grand Master


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.