Claiming Our Power: Young Women’s Initiative Day at the Capitol

As part of Women’s History Month this year, the Women’s Foundation held an inspiring day of advocacy to meet with legislators, expressing support for key bills like Paid Family Medical Leave, childcare, Safe Harbor funding, and the creation of the Office for Missing & Murdered Black Women & Girls. We hosted our Governor-appointed Young Women’s Cabinet, staff, community allies, and supporters for Claiming Our Power: Young Women’s Day at the Capitol, and the Governor and Lt. Governor declared March 9th Young Women’s Initiative Day in Minnesota.

Together we gathered with community partners and supporters to share our legislative agendas and why we invest in policy change. Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan called all of us to action and shared the importance of taking up space and making space while agitating for change at the Capitol. We were joined by Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, chief author of the PRO Act, and then attendees set off to meet with their Senators and Representatives.

“After meeting with legislators to share key items on their policy agenda, Cabinet members were proud and encouraged one another to keep going. Their growth in confidence throughout the day was incredible to watch, said Cynthia Bauerly, vice president of strategic initiatives.

The Women’s Foundation and the Young Women’s Cabinet are active every session in advocating for legislation that values women, girls, and gender-expansive people. We seek to eliminate systemic barriers and build power with young women and community partners to increase safety, economic justice, well-being, and leadership. Since 2016, the Cabinet has engaged in leadership development, received training in policy advocacy, and helped direct $3 million in grants to nonprofits and individuals to advance equity and justice.

To catch up with the action, see more about our policy agenda and photo highlights from the day.

With our legislative session halfway over, we have had some milestone victories to celebrate and yet there is still more work to do. We invite you to join us as we advocate for the policies needed to ensure Minnesota is a place where women, girls, and gender-expansive people can thrive. If you would like to stay engaged with news about our policy priorities and ways you can be involved, sign up for our biweekly Policy Update email.