Every election and every office matters. City Councils and School Boards play a critical role in protecting reproductive rights. Cities and counties determine zoning and funding for clinics, and School Boards determine the availability of age-appropriate consent and reproductive health education. That’s why Women Winning is focused on key municipal elections this year across Minnesota.

“All too often male candidates belittle women and minimize their leadership. Mayor Emily Larson made history in 2015 when she was the first woman elected Mayor of Duluth, winning with an overwhelming 72% of the vote. Since then she has led with a bold agenda.”

I have many times faced others’ doubts about whether or not I’m tough enough or strong enough. I am underestimated on a fairly regular basis. People will turn to a man in the room, or a man sitting next to me, and speak to him. I know what I’m capable of and I’m comfortable showing it. When I have been challenged on whether I’m tough enough to make a decision, my first reaction is “try me.” I can do my own hard work. I can do my own heavy lifting. I am the steady resilient leader that my community needs me to be.

Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama, was with Women Winning in Minnesota on May 29th and we are honored that she highlighted our work during her appearance on MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show the next day!

2018 was not a blip in the radar. Pro-choice women cross the nation continue to run for office in record numbers -- and Minnesota is leading the way. Women Winning is proud to endorse six pro-choice women candidates running in the crucial 2019 elections. Women Winning is also proud to endorse three candidates for Saint Paul City Council: Anika Bowie in Ward 1, Nelsie Yang in Ward 6, and Jane Prince in Ward 7....

"Have you seen that jarring image – of the group of men sitting around the table with President Trump talking about women’s reproductive rights? There wasn’t a single woman in the room making that decision. We need to have pro-choice women at the table to make decisions about our own bodies."

Pro-choice women continue to step up to run for office in record numbers and Women Winning endorsed a slate of strong, pro-choice women candidates this April. Women Winning is proud to endorse four pro-choice women running for Saint Paul School Board: Chauntyll Allen, Zuki Ellis, Jessica Kopp, and Mary Vanderwert. This November, approximately half of the board seats are on the ballot. With this election, Saint Paul voters have the opportunity to elect a pro-choice women of color majority board...

"Having Women Winning’s endorsement, I felt there was a sense of legitimacy. I wasn’t just someone that was putting their name on the ballot. There was actually support and I wasn’t alone... To have Women Winning acknowledge that my race was important gave me confidence. It was really helpful to know that someone believed in me and thought that I could do it."

Congresswoman Waters is a fierce advocate for women’s rights and has been an inspiration for countless women who have stepped up to run for -- and win -- elected office. In 2018, Minnesota made significant strides for pro-choice women’s representation and tripled the number of pro-choice women in our Congressional delegation. We are thrilled that this year’s Annual Luncheon will feature one of the strongest, most influential congresswomen in the nation.