Women’s Rights Protest: Helping legislators understand consent HF707/SF1683
Women’s Rights Protest: Helping legislators understand consent HF707/SF1683

In response to the Minnesota Supreme Court recently ruling that Minnesota law doesn’t consider a rape victim “mentally incapacitated” if they consumed alcohol or drugs voluntarily, Madisyn Priestley and Kenna Groschen organized a Women’s Rights protest. Hundreds of young people showed up and told their stories of sexual violence, abuse and harassment. The stories were heartbreaking but the love and support was palpable. I applaud the brave women who shared their stories and their poetry.

One line that struck me, “I only control my body until its inconvenient to some man.” We need to change that. Women can no longer be asked to adhere to certain standards (don’t drink, don’t wear yoga pants in the grade school, don’t wear too much make up…) because men are not asked to adhere to standards like – don’t rape.

Want to see a change? Contact your legislators. Tell them to pass HF707/SF1683.

Read More
Ann Treacy
Inaugural Time to Act – made friends and important calls to policymakers. Join us April 6
Inaugural Time to Act – made friends and important calls to policymakers. Join us April 6

Hear that sound? It’s democracy zooming into action. Tuesday night from 6-7pm, a group of Women’s March MN members took Time to Act. We met via Zoom. We introduced ourselves. It felt great to hear the voices of women. We made sure everyone was confident with the technology and the process and we got down to work.

Learn more and put the next session (April 6) on your calendar. Register now!

Read More
Act NowAnn TreacyTime to Act
Gathering the Grandmothers to Protect Water
Gathering the Grandmothers to Protect Water

So much happening in what feels like plain sight that we are choosing to ignore – but we ignore at our own peril. We are trading the priceless future of our rivers, our lands, our women for nickels that will be overspent and worthless much sooner than we recognize.

So what can we do?

  • Tell President Biden to #StopLine3 As the ice on the rivers thaw, it’s more important than ever that we contact President Biden and tell him how vital it is that he Stop Line 3 and protect our lands, air and water. President Biden can stop construction immediately.

  • Sign the petition asking President Biden to #StopLine3

  • Donate to Honor the Earth (tax-deductible) or to the frontlines.

  • Join a protest of rally – follow #StopLine3 or Honor the Earth for updates

  • Monitor the construction with Watch the Line MN

Read More
Environmental Justice, Hear Us, Act NowShannon AndresonStopLine3
Moyana Olivia - XRay
Moyana Olivia - XRay

Moyana Olivia’s powerful video - X-Ray - and a call to action. “If you want justice for George or Breonna and for every name, use your voice for change. You have the power to fight for freedom and justice for all. If you want an end to police brutality against people of color, use your voice and exercise your right to vote!”

Read More
Call to Action, Hear UsShannon Andreson
Fundraiser for Elim Church/Strong Towers Shelters a Success
Fundraiser for Elim Church/Strong Towers Shelters a Success

Fifty people signed up to play Undie-Go, our virtual fundraiser benefitting those experiencing homelessness on April 23. Money - $900 - was raised for shelter residents at Elim Church/Strong Tower Shelters. Everyone needs underwear, and our goal was to provide packs of underwear to all residents who stay at the shelter. Elim/Strong Tower Shelters houses 40 women and 40 men and couples each night. In our time of COVID-19, residents need a place to stay so the shelters are often at capacity.

Read More
Events, Hear UsShannon Andresonfundraiser, shelters, homelessness
Women's March Minnesota COVID-19 Statement
Women's March Minnesota COVID-19 Statement

In a time of uncertainty and fear, Women’s March Minnesota hopes to offer support and advocate for assistance in the coming weeks. As COVID-19 continues to spread, it is our duty to help protect one another throughout Minnesota. As a board and organization, we will continue to advocate for those who are further marginalized by the impacts of the virus and the actions to mitigate its spread.

WMM asks officials for transparent, accurate, and up-to-date information shared publicly through multiple channels. We strongly advocate for immediate cash assistance in the form of Universal Basic Income from our federal government, in addition to state, county, and local relief. Any emergency support must not have strings attached or hoops to jump through to best reach those who need it most. In addition, assistance to individuals and families in need must not accrue debt.

Read More
Women's March Minnesota
Food Fuels More Than Just Your Body
Food Fuels More Than Just Your Body

To celebrate International Women’s Day, volunteers from Women’s March Minnesota (WMM) hosted Sunday dinner at the Elim Church & Strong Tower Parish Homeless Shelters, two shelters housed in neighboring churches in Northeast Minneapolis. Elim Church hosts women and nonbinary guests, while Strong Power Parish hosts men and couples. Everyone enjoys a meal in the dining room at Elim before separating to settle in for the night.

Read More
Hear Us, EventsShannon Andresonshelter, Elim Church, Strong Tower Parish, homelessness
In 2020 We Will Prevail
In 2020 We Will Prevail

1,153 days ago, on November 8, 2016, our nation faced one of our darkest days. 

On January 21, 2017, we emerged united. Over 5 million of our sisters, brothers, and gender non-identifying siblings marched across the world ~ 100,000+ right here in Minnesota. We marched in numbers too great for the new administration to ignore on their first day in office. We marched to declare that we would not be silent and declared that we would hold them accountable. We marched against racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, xenophobia, ableism, anti-Semitism, classism, ageism, and oppression in all forms. We marched for the planet, for justice, for equity, for the future. 

In 2018 we donated, volunteered on campaigns, had conversations with our neighbors and family, we door-knocked and phone-banked, and we showed up to the polls. In 2018 we corrected. 

This is where we make our final push! This is the year we take back our government, from the bottom of the ticket to the Oval Office. The time is now to organize in your city, in your community, in your senate district, and your congressional district. 

We will not be marching on January 18, 2020 because we are more than a march ~ we are a movement. 

Organizing a march requires time, money, and energy. We need 100% of those things focused on November 3, 2020; otherwise, what were we marching for?

Read More
Women's March Minnesota
Women’s March Minnesota Ends Official Connection with Women’s March National
Women’s March Minnesota Ends Official Connection with Women’s March National

WOMEN’S MARCH MINNESOTA ENDS OFFICIAL CONNECTION WITH WOMEN’S MARCH NATIONAL

On Sunday, July 14, Women’s March Minnesota’s Board of Directors voted unanimously against signing an affiliation agreement presented by Women’s March, Inc.

Women’s March Minnesota is an independent IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organization (granted by the IRS in February of 2018). Women’s March Inc released its proposed affiliation document, opening the “official” affiliation process in March of this year.

Women’s March Minnesota provided feedback regarding the initial agreement draft, as well as a multitude of on-going concerns that have been voiced by the Board, volunteers, and supporters of WMM.

Read More
Jackie Craig
Roe vs. Rage: A Reproductive Rights Panel at Third Thursdays
Roe vs. Rage: A Reproductive Rights Panel at Third Thursdays

Do you know how many abortion clinics there are in Minnesota? Four – three in the Twin Cities and one in Duluth. Minnesotans, on average, think there are 41. That’s part of what’s driving the rage in Minnesota; there are so many misunderstandings, so many fallacies and, dare we say it, fake news about abortions.

Read More
Healthcare, Hear Us, Reproductive Rights, Third ThursdaysShannon Andresonreproductive justice, Roe V Wade, Healthcare
Outcry Scream Sessions: A creative project to empower women to use their voices
Outcry Scream Sessions: A creative project to empower women to use their voices

These photography sessions were not your high fashion, super model type. It was made to show the authentic, raw side of a woman that is hidden behind a veil; that women can only scream and yell when no one’s there. In society, in many women’s upbringing, we have been conditioned to be passive, silent, and to feel powerless. But we are not. These outcry sessions encourage women to let out their inner roar, that burning fire that’s been eating them up inside.

Read More
Shannon AndresonHear Our Voice, Outcry
Outcry in MN
Outcry in MN

“In response to the long history of silencing of women and girls I make portraits of women screaming. Through this project I provide women a space where they can practice speaking up and out for themselves. I also provide a space for them to be heard, supported, encouraged and celebrated. I began this project on the night of the Women’s March 2018, and since then have photographed over 200 women.”

Read More
Hear Us, Disability RightsShannon AndresonOutcry, disabilities, empower, fundraiser
WMM Official Statement on Ilhan Omar

Ilhan Omar is a voice of peace and trusted friend of Women’s March Minnesota. We #StandWithIlhan and unequivocally oppose the divisive, racist, Islamophobic attacks against her. Her resilience in the face of the slander, attempted censorship, and violent threats against her speaks to her strength and dedication to creating an equitable world. All lawmakers should denounce this bigotry and violence.

Read More
Hear Us, Official StatementsArlene Mathison
Driver’s licenses for all, regardless of immigration status! It’s time! Support HF1500!
Driver’s licenses for all, regardless of immigration status! It’s time! Support HF1500!

When is the last time you used your driver’s license as an ID? For me, it was when I forgot my library card but wanted to check out the books that I had reserved. For you, perhaps it was when you checked in for a medical appointment, entered your child’s school or ordered a drink in a restaurant.

Approximately 82,000 residents of Minnesota are eligible for a driver’s license or state ID, but cannot get one because they are undocumented immigrants. Many have been living here for decades and were able to obtain a driver’s license until Governor Pawlenty changed the law in 2003. Imagine having your driving privileges and access to an ID stripped away. For undocumented immigrants, having access to a Driver’s License or State ID is both a matter of convenience and access and dignity to move around the state.

Read More
Civil Rights, Hear Us, Immigrant & Refugee Right, Immigrant/Refugee Rights, Legislative Action, Legislature, State legArlene Mathison
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Women’s March Minnesota Announces Speakers for the 2019 Women's March on January 19, 2019 at the Minnesota State Capitol
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Women’s March Minnesota Announces Speakers for the 2019 Women's March on January 19, 2019 at the Minnesota State Capitol

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Women’s March Minnesota Announces Speakers for the 2019 Women's March on January 19, 2019 at the Minnesota State Capitol

Minneapolis, MN January 17, 2019: Women’s March Minnesota, a local nonprofit dedicated to harnessing the power of women and their communities to create transformative social change, is excited to announce the speakers for the 2019 Women’s March.

The pre-march rally, which begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Western Sculpture Park , welcome from a Women's March Minnesota Board Member, will be emcee’d by Miss Shannan , a comedian, radio and television host, keynote speaker and social instigator. Hear her on MyTalk 107.1, and her podcast called "Be Our Geek." Sparking the crowd to action will be college student and activist, Brianne Benson , and Jr. High student and activist, Lillian .

Read More
Jackie Craig
PRESS RELEASE: Women’s March Minnesota Announces January 19th Women’s Wave March Sponsors and Endorsers
PRESS RELEASE: Women’s March Minnesota Announces January 19th Women’s Wave March Sponsors and Endorsers

Women’s March Minnesota (WMM) is pleased to announce the organizations who have agreed to become sponsors and endorsers for the Minnesota Women’s Wave March taking place on Saturday, January 19, 2019 in St. Paul. 

Women’s March Minnesota deeply appreciates receiving the support of so many reputable local groups who join in our purpose of harnessing the power of women and their communities to create transformative social change. The important work of educating, amplifying, and activating requires intersectional grassroots activism and we appreciate the trust of community members and leaders across Minnesota as we chart a new course into what 2019 looks like for WMM.

Read More
Jackie Craig