While the 2014 Women’s Economic Security Act represented great progress for women and families in Minnesota, there is more work to do. Public policy and workplaces can and must do a better job of supporting women as essential contributors to their families’ economic security and Minnesota’s economy.
From wages and benefits to work-family balance to caring for children and families, we are calling on policy makers in Minnesota to address the challenges we face – which will improve the lives not only of women but of all Minnesotans.
On January 29 a sold-out crowd gathered to hear state legislators, community leaders, and advocates discuss the policies we need now to break down barriers to economic equality.
Watch the Opening and Closing remarks
- Governor Mark Dayton (pictured)
- Representative Paul Thissen
- Senator Sandy Pappas
- Barbara Battiste, Office on the Economic Status of Women
- Lisa Stratton, Gender Justice and the Minnesota Coalition for Women’s Economic Security
- Debra Fitzpatrick, Center on Women and Public Policy and the Minnesota Coalition for Women’s Economic Security
Watch the historic Voices of Minnesota’s Indigenous & Immigrant Women, and Women of Color panel
Moderators – Kenya McKnight & Fartun Weli
Legislators – Representative Rena Moran,
& Senator Foung Hawj
Panelists –
- African American Community: Kamillah El-Amin;
- Asian American Community: Bo Thao-Urabe
- Latina Community: Emilia Gonzalez Avalos
- Liberian Community: Denise Butler
- Somali Community: Farhiya Farah
Watch the 6 in 10 Caregivers are Employed: The impact on women
and the workforce panel
Moderator – Lori Sturdevant, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Legislator – Senator Carla Nelson
Panelists –
- Pam Sartell, Owner/CEO of The Sartell Group
- Hedy Tripp, Chair, National Governing Board
of the National Asian Pacific American
Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) St. Cloud Chapter
Moderator – Lorrie Janatopoulos, Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency; Governor’s Workforce Development Council
Legislator – Representative Connie Bernardy
Panelists –
- Kenya McKnight, President, Black Women’s
Business Alliance; Metropolitan Council Transportation Advisory Board- Chalonne Wilson, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation