ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton, Lt. Governor Tina Smith, 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 Initiative of Minnesota. The Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota currently has at least 14 cabinet 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 August 22, 2017.

 

“We must continue working to build a state where all Minnesotans have equal opportunity to succeed,” said Governor Dayton. “This partnership is an important step in improving equity and opportunity for young women in Minnesota, especially young women of color. I encourage young women from every corner and every background to apply for a cabinet position with the Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota.”

 

The Young Women’s Cabinet is comprised of 25 young women and youth leaders representing the following communities: African American; African Immigrant; American Indian; Asian American/Pacific Islander; Disability; Greater Minnesota; Latina; 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. 

 

“The Young Women’s Initiative brings together young women from throughout Minnesota to tell us what we can do together to expand opportunity for all of them,” said Lt. Governor Smith. “This is important: young women of color, American Indian young women, young women with disabilities, young women from Greater Minnesota, and youth who identify as LGBTQ today face an opportunity gap. I invite young women from these communities to join the Young Women’s Initiative cabinet and help us close those gaps for all women in Minnesota.”

 

“We want every young woman in Minnesota to have access to equal opportunity in order to thrive and be the champion of their own lives,” said Lee Roper-Batker, president and CEO, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota. “As a Cabinet member, young women are valued as leaders and critical solution-builders in their communities. This is a tremendous opportunity to help create a Minnesota where every young woman has respect, opportunity, and safety.”

 

Governor Dayton 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 August 22, 2017.

 

Launched last year, 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, American Indian young women, young women from Greater Minnesota, LGBTQ youth, and young women with disabilities.

 

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.