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Press Release

Women’s Foundation & YWCA Mankato Announce Young Women’s Cabinet

Eleven young leaders were named to the inaugural cohort of the Young Women’s Cabinet of Mankato, a Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota (YWI MN) program that centers the leadership and solutions of young women and gender-expansive youth who come from communities that experience some of the greatest disparities in opportunity and outcomes.

YWI MN is a statewide partnership between the Governor’s Office, the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, and the YWCA. The Young Women’s Cabinet of Mankato is comprised of young women and gender-expansive youth, ages 16-24, and aims to create connections and partnerships, build leadership, train in policy making, develop strong advocacy skills, and build collective power for social change.

The YWI MN’s statewide partnership and direct investments in young women and gender-expansive people are being replicated across the nation through the National Philanthropic Collaborative of Young Women’s Initiatives. Since 2016, the Young Women’s Cabinet has developed a legislative agenda, testified at the Capitol, and directed more than $3 million in grants to Minnesota communities.

Members were selected by the YWCA Mankato for a term effective September 2024, through May, 2025. Learn more about the members. On February 17, the Women’s Foundation, YWCA, statewide and Mankato Cabinets will hold a Young Women’s Initiative Day at the Capitol to share their policy agenda and advocate with legislators.

Young Women’s Cabinet of Mankato:

Miika Benning
Katherine Callahan
Fabiana Jurup
Bella Macemon
Amina Nor
Yusra Omar
Valerie Ritsch
Kaitlyn Rudolf
Lucy Simmons-Pope
Avery Thompson
Addison Wienke

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