Adams State University Lifeways of the San Luis Valley Lecture will feature The Business of Farming & Agriculture: Building Livelihoods Amidst the San Luis Valley Landscape by Bessie Yoshida Konishi at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, in McDaniel Hall room 101. The event is free and open to the public.
Konishi was born in Capulin, Colo., to Frank Eiichi and Isayo Yoshida. When she was in the second grade, the family moved to Alamosa and made a living as farmers. She graduated in 1950 from Alamosa High School and went on to attend Barnes Business College in Denver. Ultimately, she received her BA in Elementary Education in 1959, along with an MA in 1961 from Adams State.
In 1953 she married Dr. Ben Konishi and together they have three children and seven grandchildren. In November, they will celebrate 62 years of marriage. Her son, Mark and his wife Kathy, are also graduates of Adams State.
In addition to being an educator for a period of time, she served on the Alamosa School Board from 1970 until 1972. She left education and went on to a career as a fashion and image consultant. She is a member of the GFWC Woman’s Citizenship Club and served as State President of the Colorado Federation and also served on the International Board of the GFWC (General Federation of Women’s Clubs). Konishi served on the Caring for Colorado Board from 2004 until 2008 as a result of an appointment by then Colorado Governor, Bill Owens. Currently, she is a member of the PEO/Chapter HT and is a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.
Lifeways of the San Luis Valley celebrates the rich history and diversity of the San Luis Valley. The course and lecture series are made possible with grants from the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area and Kenzo Kawanabe of the Boettcher Foundation.
Parking is located east of McDaniel Hall. Adams State parking lots do not require permits after 5 p.m.
