The Young Women’s Cabinet

Gurtaran is a fourth-year student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, pursuing a dual degree in sociology and political science, with a minor in Spanish studies. Her passion for women’s rights stems from her identity as a Sikh woman, which has motivated her to pursue a career advocating for women and women of color who are systematically disadvantaged by institutional structures. She has interned at the YWCA and EMILY’s List, where her advocacy was grounded in uplifting the voices in her community and providing opportunities so every woman can succeed, whether by obtaining a job or running a successful campaign. On campus, she is heavily involved with undergraduate student government, the Minnesota Student Association where she has chaired the Sexual Assault Task Force, served as the Speaker of Forum, and serves as the Chair of the Student Representatives to the Board of Regents. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a J.D. focusing on public interest or criminal justice law with the goal of promoting women’s rights and breaking barriers faced by underrepresented communities. Gurtaran is a Truman Scholar.

Mariah Mirbel Nelson is the family services case manager at Wayside Recovery Center – Supportive Housing. Mariah received her BS degree in psychology with a minor in social justice from the University of Northwestern St. Paul. Mariah received the 2020 President’s Student Leadership Award from the Minnesota Campus Compact and was chosen for the University of Northwestern’s Leadership Development Program & Scholarship. With her years of experience in family services and current studies in addiction counseling at Minneapolis Community & Technical College, Mariah continues to advocate for families impacted by substance use and trauma in the community and as a member of the St. Louis Park Family Services Collaborative. Mariah is a community organizer and advocate who is passionate about pursuing social justice in education, child welfare and beyond.

Rosa is a senior at Worthington Senior High and a full-time student at Minnesota West Community & Technical College. Rosa is involved in many clubs at her school, including Student Council, AOK, and Girl Scouts. She also is involved in community-led organizations such as Unidos of MN, and has worked with Unheard Voices of MN storytelling the experiences of first-generation immigrants. She believes that everyone has a voice, but some may need to act as a microphone to amplify quieter voices. Rosa enjoys painting and spending time with her friends and family.

Monali Bhakta holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and English from Gustavus Adolphus College. During her senior year, Monali served as the co-president of the Gustavus Student Senate, making diversity, equity, and inclusion an institutional priority and fundamental aspect of her platform. Outside of college, she interned with high-ranking elected officials like U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, providing immigration casework assistance to 200+ constituents across Minnesota. In the 2020 general election, she served as a Field Organizer for the campaign of Dan Feehan for Congress, reaching out to the BIPOC electorate to discuss sociopolitical issues and providing accessible voting resources during a pandemic. This compelled her to work with IGNITE-National, serving as a voting ambassador and educating approximately 150 voters in her network. While serving as a Minnesota IGNITE Fellow, she has collaborated with political candidates and elected officials to educate women to become civically engaged, making them comfortable with the political process. This is the important work she plans to do with the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota. Monali plans to attend law school in the near future and will be a J.D. candidate this fall.

Immigrating from Mexico, Andrea grew up seeing her family and others around her struggle in ways she wished she could have understood. Because of her experiences through her childhood, Andrea decided to study politics and policy at the University of Minnesota, where she is currently a senior. She is involved in multiple activities, from working full-time in project management, working out for her powerlifting meets, volunteering at her local food shelf, traveling around the world, and going to drill for the MN National Guard Army. While participating in other committees for YWI MN, Andrea is always on the go.

Kayley is a junior at May High School in Rochester. She is also a PSEO student at Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC). Upon graduation Kayley hopes to obtain an associates degree and to become a Registered Nurse (RN) with Mayo Clinic. Kayley also volunteers with a nonprofit group called Joy. As a volunteer, she raises money for local charities to assist individuals and families in need as well as research opportunities and resources for young women to be prepared to succeed in the future. Kayley aspires to help many people within her community and increase opportunities for Spanish-speaking communities. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with family, friends, and visiting family in Mexico.

Jacqueli is a first generation college graduate from Hamline University. She majored in business management with a Spanish certificate. Prior to graduating, Jacqueli had the opportunity to attend leadership development workshops at Harvard, Yale, and overseas. She currently works with the assets protection team at Target where she supports and mentors newly promoted leaders into their roles. She enjoys investing time in local community programs that focus on leadership development for young adults. Jacqueli also dedicates time with public safety agencies to create new community engagement incentives to support youth, seniors, and enrichment programs centered towards child development. When time permits, Jacqueli enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family. In the future, Jacqueli hopes to continue her educational path and receive a Master’s in Business Administration.

Morgan grew up in rural Minnesota and attended Rochester Community and Technical College. She completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Minnesota in 2020 majoring in global studies with a concentration on human rights and justice in South Asia. Morgan is passionate about furthering access to education for girls globally, having worked with multiple organizations that focus on that goal. She is a strong advocate for reproductive freedom, and is a clinic escort helping patients access reproductive health care free from harassment. Morgan works with survivors of domestic violence through legal advocacy, and she is also currently serving as the campaign manager for Liz Ryer for State House Representative. She holds a strong conviction in fighting racial and ethnic disparities to continue the improvement of rights for women and queer individuals globally.

Ponny White is a recent graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead, double majoring in Multimedia Journalism and Political Science with an emphasis in Women and Gender Studies. Ponny is a dedicated reproductive rights activist working with organizations like Advocates for Youth and Planned Parenthood to lobby Congress for legislation in support of young people’s access to affordable reproductive healthcare. As the President of her school’s Black Student Union and Campus Feminist organization, Ponny orchestrated free, inclusive, and comprehensive sexual education courses. She currently organizes a fundraiser which allocates and distributes free emergency contraceptive pills on campus. After her family was personally targeted by ICE, Ponny took up work as a co-director at a local nonprofit that serves immigrant families. As an immigrant-American, first generation college student, Ponny understands the systemic disadvantages marginalized groups constantly experience which is why she strives to center Black, queer, bodies of color in her public service work.

Rahi recently graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in neuroscience. In 2019, she spent a month volunteering in the slums of Ahmedabad, India. While there, she taught 5th grade English, math, science, and Gujarati, and helped facilitate discussions on women’s health at a local women’s center. In Minnesota, Rahi volunteers at the Domestic Abuse Project and participates in research on brain cancer genetics. She is currently working as a medical scribe. In the future, Rahi plans to attend medical school and pursue a career that enables her to continue advocating for women’s health and address health disparities in her community and beyond. 

Anisa Omar recently graduated from Minnesota State University Mankato with a degree in political science and a minor in ethnic studies. Anisa is committed to creating an equitable and just society for all individuals inclusive of race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, and social class. Anisa serves on multiple organizations and committees such as YWCA Mankato, Ignite the Youth, Ignite Women in Politics, and the Mankato Public Safety Advisory Committee. Anisa aspires to attend law school in the Fall of 2022 and is currently preparing for the LSAT.

Amal is a junior at Jefferson High school who plans to major in public health after her high school career. She strives to achieve her aspirations and excels on the debate team at her school. Coming from a diverse background as a Somali-Indian-Yemeni-American, Amal is especially passionate about celebrating BIPOC joy and creating equitable opportunities for recreation in the BIPOC community. Additionally, Amal spends about 4 hours in the pottery studio weekly and loves to read. She finds strength in passion and is excited to serve another year on the Young Women’s Cabinet. 

Sabrina is a recent graduate of St. Catherine University where she studied public health education and is currently completing her masters in global health. At school, Sabrina is part of the Antonian Honors program, the International Student Organization, and has worked as a peer health educator. She enjoys public health because it allows her to work with diverse communities and to contribute to health equity, racial equity, and social justice, which are principles that guide her career. After her obtaining her master’s, she hopes to work with local public health organizations for a few years and later join an international non-profit organization.

Nibraas Khan is a fourth year student at the University of Minnesota majoring in Global Studies (with concentrations in the Islamic World and Human Rights) and Political Science and minoring in Public Health and Arabic. She is the daughter of two Bangladeshi immigrants and uses her upbringing, unique identities, and passion for others to navigate spaces that don’t traditionally include her or others. With this in mind, she’s been a student advocate for non-citizens and immigrants, racial equity, raising the minimum wage, and environmental protection on campus. Beyond that, she’s the current Advocacy Chair for DISHA, a student group dedicated to advocacy for and with South Asian/Desi women, nonbinary, trans, and gender nonconforming people while also collaborating with other BIPOC people to uplift all.

Evelyn grew up on a farm in Wanamingo, Minnesota. She will graduate this spring from  Hamline University with a degree in Political Science and Public Health with a minor in Business Analytics. She has always admired leaders who advocate for and represent voices that don’t get the chance to be heard. Growing up with a stutter, Evelyn always felt that her voice wasn’t as important because she couldn’t speak as clearly. In 2017, she was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes. Ever since she has been an advocate for health-related issues and disability advocacy. Since getting involved in politics she has interned in the State Senate with Senator Matt Little, worked for Attorney General Keith Ellison, interned for Arc Minnesota, and is completing her final internship with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. This is her third and final year on the Cabinet. Her favorite memory has been working on the Covid-19 response committee and as a policy lead.

Scout is a senior at Moorhead High School. She is a proud member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation. Scout hopes to major in Public Policy or International Relations. She is interested in how legislative action can be combined with community activism to create community-centered solutions to the problems facing Minnesotans and the world. She is especially passionate about LGBTQ+ issues, Native communities, and health and education disparities in Minnesota. Scout is a co-captain of her debate team, a category captain of her speech team, and does theater tech. She is a co-founder of a progressive reform club at her school.

Gabrielle is a recent graduate from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities where she majored in Sociology with a focus in Policy Analysis and minors in American Indian Studies and Retail Merchandising. At the UMN, she was a member of Alpha Phi where she participated in philanthropic events which benefitted women’s heart health. She was also a member of The Women’s Network, a women-led network to connect college students to each other and professional leaders. Gabrielle is Bdewakantunwan and an enrolled member at the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. She currently works for her tribe’s legal team as an intern where she assists the team with research and recordkeeping. Gabrielle aspires to attend business or law school and pursue a career where she will make a better future for her community.

Trinity is a senior at St. Michael-Albertville High School. She is captain of the speech and debate team, a 4-time national qualifier, ranked fifth in the state, and top 35 in the nation. She is on the Minnesota Youth Council, which focuses on legislation and community organization. She is the chapter head of Beyond Resolved, where she writes curriculum training to promote equity in the debate space. She founded the Women’s Advocacy Club, which assembled a protest against police brutality, put together a menstrual product drive, and lobbied at the State Capitol. Trinity strives to promote social justice through grassroots activism and policy.

Deilyah ‘Asin’ Dexter is an enrolled member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. A fourth-year student at Bemidji State University, Asin majors in Indigenous Studies and minors in the Ojibwe language. Outside of running an Ojibwe language table, Asin also had the privilege of transcribing stories told in Ojibwe by her grandmother, Kaadaak–vital in language preservation and revitalization. In addition, Asin is the President of the Council of Indian Students at BSU where she advocates for Indigenous People on campus and in the surrounding community. After college, Asin plans to return home to the Mille Lacs Reservation and work with Native youth and in language revitalization efforts. Asin hopes to help lead her community in decolonization and to see Anishinaabe Izhitwaawin thrive once more.

Britney is currently a junior majoring in History with a minor in Chicano Studies at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Britney hosts a political and social commentary radio show that discusses the realities of being a low income, first-generation American. She is a founder of META, a mutual aid organization focused on delivering resources to BIPOC communities in the Twin Cities. She is also a member of the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, an organization that provides resources and aid to Minnesotan immigrants in need. Britney also helped create a Chicano Ethnic Studies class for District 196 high schools called Adelante! which introduces Chicano politics, literature, and the 60’s movement to Chicano students. Britney hopes to have a career in educational reform through lifting the voices of Black, Brown, and other marginalized students.

Mariana graduated from Hamline University in 2020 with a double major in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies with a Paralegal Certificate and a Spanish Certificate. She works at a local immigration law firm as a paralegal where she has learned valuable career and life skills. Through Mariana’s work with immigrants, she has found a passion for advocating for immigrant rights. In the future, Mariana would like to attend law school and become an immigration or criminal attorney. When time permits, Mariana enjoys traveling to see her family in Chicago and Guadalajara. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and puppy, Tito.

Millenium Amha is a junior transfer at Augsburg University studying Public Policy. In summer of 2020, she had the opportunity to work with Habitat for Humanity Twin Cities where she helped to build and restore affordable housing units. Throughout her high school career, she has interned at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, McGough Construction, and Saint Paul Public Schools Facilities. Most recently, she sat as a Board Member on the Black Student Association at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John University working to bring awareness to the experiences and contributions of Black students on campus. During her time at Saint Ben’s, she also had the extraordinary opportunity to tutor K-12 students from Saint Cloud Public School Districts. While there are many things she is interested in, she is most passionate about working to provide adequate housing, education, and economic opportunities for Minnesotans. 

Sara is a first-year student at Carleton College in Northfield, MN. She plans on majoring in Chemistry with a double minor in Biochemistry and Neuroscience. She loves all kinds of natural sciences from geology to astrophysics to neurobiology! On campus, Sara is a Campus Advocate Against Sexual Harassment (CAASHA) where she is dedicated to supporting students affected by – or with questions about – sexual harassment or assault. Sara is involved in a health disparities and cancer research internship at the University of Minnesota. She is passionate about equitable health care to all people (especially women of color and uninsured/low-income individuals) and eliminating barriers for the underserved in the medical field. Sara also volunteers as a physical therapist’s assistant at the rehabilitation center at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN. Later in her journey, she plans on attending medical school and becoming a board-certified surgeon. She strives to be an advocate for all her future patients so that racism and prejudice do not interfere with patients receiving the proper care and attention they deserve.

Aaisha graduated from Hamline University in 2020 with a degree in Exercise Science and Psychology. Since then, she has advocated for using sports as a catalyst for social change – and creating equal opportunity for young girls to participate in sports. She has spent the past couple of years researching the barriers in youth sports and navigating ways to reduce obstacles many young athletes face. Aaisha enjoys running, traveling, and spending time with her family in her free time.