Governor Walz, Lt. Governor Flanagan, and the Women's Foundation of Minnesota Invite Young Women to Apply for Young Women's Initiative of Minnesota

Statement

Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and the Women's Foundation of Minnesota today invited young women from across the state to apply for open positions with the Young Women's Cabinet of the Young Women's Initiative of Minnesota. The Young Women's Cabinet of Minnesota currently has 22 vacancies to fill. Young women between the ages of 16 and 24, especially those from underrepresented communities, are invited to apply. Applications are available through the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor and will be accepted through Friday, October 18, 2019.

"It's my honor to elevate the leadership of young women from across Minnesota," said Governor Walz. "Every young woman in Minnesota deserves a bright future. Through this partnership, we ask young women directly what we can do better to improve opportunities in every community. "

The Young Women's Cabinet is comprised of 32 young women and youth leaders representing the following communities: African American; African Immigrant; American Indian; Asian American/Pacific Islander; Disabilities; Greater Minnesota; Latinx; and LGBTQ. The Cabinet ensures that the efforts of the initiative stay grounded in the lived experiences of the young women and youth from each community, the community-specific challenges and solutions they identified, and guided by their leadership.

"Young women are leaders within and outside of their communities," said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. "The Young Women's Initiative lifts up our future generation, especially those from underrepresented communities, by recognizing the power of their voices, stories, and ideas. The Initiative is a demonstration of our commitment to not only giving young women a seat at the table but centering them in our decisions to improve the lives of all Minnesotans."

"There is more to Minnesota when every young woman has what she needs to thrive -- with economic opportunity, access to leadership, and safety at home, school, and work. Since its inception in 2016, the Young Women's Cabinet has guided Minnesota's leading research on the well-being of young women of color, invested more than one million dollars in grants to nonprofits and individuals, testified as experts and advocates at the Capitol for policies to create opportunities, safety, and leadership for women and girls, and worked with a Council of powerful leaders to advance equity across sectors," said Lee Roper-Batker, president & CEO of the Women's Foundation of Minnesota. "When we center the voices and leadership of young women facing the greatest barriers, their families and communities do better. Through the Young Women's Initiative, we are building a stronger Minnesota."

To Apply

Governor Walz will make appointments to the Young Women's Cabinet. Applications are available through the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor's website and will be accepted through Friday, October 18, 2019.

About the Young Women's Initiative of Minnesota

Launched in 2016, the initiative is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor and the Women's Foundation of Minnesota to improve outcomes for young women in Minnesota. The initiative brings together nonprofits, businesses, government, philanthropies, and young women to achieve equity in opportunities and to improve the lives of young women of color, Indigenous young women, young women from Greater Minnesota, LGBTQ youth, and young women with disabilities.

About the Women's Foundation of Minnesota

The Women's Foundation of Minnesota is a statewide community foundation investing in innovation to drive gender equity. The Foundation envisions a world of equal opportunity where women and girls -- and all people -- hold the power to create and lead safe, prosperous lives. Founded in 1983, it is the first and largest statewide women's foundation in the country. More at WFMN.ORG .

Source