By MaryHelen Swanson
Working in a ìmanís worldî - in corrections - for 38 years, her confidence has been tested every day.

Minnesota Commissioner of Corrections Joan Fabian told those gathered at the Womenís Expo last Saturday that the key to life is treating people with respect, even the offenders which she has dealt with for almost four decades.

Commissioner Fabian, a 12-year North Branch resident, was the keynote speaker at the event held at North Branch High School.

She told the women that when she began working in corrections men were suspicious of her. And, she said there was blatant sexism back then with men asking her questions like why she wasnít at home with her kids, and if she was taking birth control so she wouldnít get pregnant.
She was even asked if she would be making more money than her husband, an apparent taboo.

She had her car destroyed by a fire bomb and her life threatened.

During the seven years she did custody investigations for divorces, Fabian said, she spent many sleepless nights.

Working with parolees in Stillwater, she said, was actually one of her easiest jobs.

But even with all the challenges, Fabian believes corrections is a rewarding career.

She got into it to make a difference and she said, ìyou do.î

She said there wasnít one day she didnít enjoy going to work.

As far as the sexism and harassment, she said no woman should ever have to endure that. But she added, ìWeíve come a long way.î
More than once Fabian stressed that a woman can be confident about her abilities but that it is important to have the basic skills and education as a foundation. She also noted the importance of life-long learning.

All of the challenges in our work give us the opportunity to be tough, innovative and find new ways to meet needs, she said.
ìIím kind of tough,î said the petite woman with the brilliant smile. She noted that she came from a family of 13, with seven brothers.
Fabian offered many suggestions to the women for success in the work world.

Learn to draw on life experiences, she said. Womenís ability to multi-task, she went on, can spill over to the work place.
Use your negotiating skills and involve co-workers as a team.

But the most important lesson to success, she said, is ìwork hard, work hard, work hard!î
ìYou donít know how much you are judged by that,î she added.

She said every job she had she took seriously, made a commitment and worked hard.
For instance, if she was out of the office, ìin the field,î she was actually working and not at home.

ìThere really are no shortcuts,î she stressed, adding that a lot of young people donít understand that it takes real commitment.
She also warned the women not to compromise their core values.

Be honest. Keep your integrity. Treat other people the way you want to be treated.

And not just the CEO, she said. That means all co-workers, all staff members.

Many people make the mistake of only treating the ìimportantî people well.

ìEverybody is important,î she said.
Good communication is essential in achieving any dream, she went on.

It is also important to lead by example. Volunteer for things, be part of the community, and give credit where it belongs.

Develop networks, especially with other women, Fabian said, Women often tend to be too critical of other women. It is important not to be critical.

Mentoring is also important.

Fabian also said we should not take ourselves too seriously. ìNo one is that important.î
Try to laugh about things and maintain a good sense of humor.

And maintain balance in life. Working up to the day of delivery of her baby and going back to work in two weeks was probably not such a good thing.

ìIt was nuts!î she said.

She said women shouldnít regret working or having a career, but take it in perspective.

Try to be the positive person in the organization. Miserable people are not much appreciated, she said.
Finally, Fabian said ìDonít over-react.î

ìTake things one at a time, it all can be managed.î

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