MN Lynx, 2AB Partner with WFM to Invest in Safety

On August 8, we were thrilled to be in the spotlight at the Minnesota Lynx vs. the Washington Mystics game. On behalf of WFM, our Executive Vice President of People & Culture, Briana Joyner, accepted a donation from Grammy Award-winning musician Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and the Lynx at center court. We were joined by staff, grantee-partners, generous supporters, and their families to celebrate this partnership investing in gender equity and community impact.

Because of WFM’s more than 40-year history investing in ending violence against women and girls, we are thrilled to have been selected by the Minnesota Lynx and Bon Iver to join a multi-year partnership focused on gender equity and community impact. Musician Justin Vernon of Bon Iver created the 2 A Billion campaign to raise awareness and support to end gender inequity, domestic violence, and sexual violence. By partnering with the Lynx, the multi-year partnership will address gender inequities as a result of domestic and sexual violence, sex trafficking, health care disparities, and barriers within education and leadership.

Data show that women continue to be impacted by violence at staggering rates:

• ONE IN TWO Minnesota women report sexual violence from an intimate partner at some point during her life.
• ONE IN FOUR Minnesota women report physical violence from an intimate partner at some point in her life.

At the game, a PSA aired featuring WFM President & CEO, Gloria Perez, recorded with Justin Vernon and Lynx player, Alanna Smith. We created the video to share awareness of sex and human trafficking in Minnesota. The impact of violence affects not only a woman’s safety, but her long-term health, earnings, and access to opportunities.

How You Can Help

You can help by listening to women, supporting women, and investing in safety. Please share the PSA with your networks and make a gift to support WFM’s impact in safety, research, and policy change so that women and girls can be free from violence.

After the game, we hosted a conversation with Justin and Alanna focused on the Foundation’s progress in ending sex trafficking. It was such an exciting night for WFM and our shared commitment to ending violence and investing in pathways for women and girls to be safe, healthy, and thriving.

We are grateful to the Lynx and Bon Iver for making this partnership a reality!