Hello John,

In a time where age appropriate, medically accurate sex education is under attack in schools, we need strong champions on Minnesota School Boards fighting for us and our families. 

Today, Women Winning is proud to endorse 12 incredible candidates for School Board from across the state of Minnesota. This slate of women are committed to safe, strong, equitable schools and the values of Reproductive Justice–we couldn’t be more excited to share them with you!

Nelly Korman - Bloomington School Board, At-Large

Nelly Korman was first elected in 2011, becoming the first Latina to be elected to the Bloomington School Board. Since then, Nelly has been a strong advocate for high quality public education for children of all socioeconomic backgrounds, and has worked intensively to bring attention to the challenges and strengths of BIPOC students and their families. 

Visit her website to learn more!

Mia Olson - Bloomington School Board, At-Large

Mia Olson is a 4 year incumbent on the Bloomington School Board. She has been a substitute teacher for almost 30 years, giving her the unique opportunity for direct classroom experience throughout the district. She is a champion for children, and values equity in education - ensuring that every student has what they need to feel safe, secure and successful. 

Visit her website to learn more!

Heather Starks - Bloomington School Board, At-Large

Heather Starks is seeking her second term on the Bloomington School Board. She is proud to serve on the school board of the same district she, her husband, and her mother graduated from, making her children third generation Bloomington Public School graduates. Heather is a former public school teacher, a current non-profit development specialist, and a strong supporter of protecting and promoting public schools.

Visit her website to learn more!

Stephanie Williams - Duluth School Board, At-Large

Stephanie Williams is running for her first term on the Duluth School Board. Stephanie's passion for social justice led her to work in the American Indian Education Department for the Duluth Public Schools. Her priorities include putting kids first, holistically supporting our teachers, fully funding schools, rooting equity into the heart of every conversation, keeping kids in the classroom, and soliciting community input on district issues. 

Visit her website to learn more!

Sarah Mikesell - Duluth School Board, District 2

Sarah Mikesell is running for Duluth School Board because she believes public schools are the heart of our community. Sarah is a nurse with 24 years of experience in a variety of settings, and she understands that best outcomes occur when all stakeholders are at the decision making table. As a dedicated advocate for safety, Sarah knows that when schools are strong and well supported, the entire community thrives. 

Visit her website to learn more!

Shannon Andreson - Hopkins School Board, At-Large

Shannon Andreson currently serves on the Hopkins School Board. She is focused on removing barriers to public education for all and focusing on policy and practice that disrupts and transforms the systems that have delivered predictable outcomes based on race, gender, ability and socio-economic lines. 

Visit her website to learn more!

Brooke Roper - Hopkins School Board, At-Large

Brooke Roper is running for her first term on the Hopkins School Board. As a candidate for the school board, she pledges to infuse a collaborative spirit, promote educational equity, and uphold social responsibility. Her vision centers on empowering children to evolve into compassionate and educated leaders, ultimately creating a more promising future for all. 

Visit her website to learn more!

Anna Williams - Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School Board, At-Large

Anna Williams is running for her first term on the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School Board. She has professional experience in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) advising, training, strategy development, and communications. She believes public education is the cornerstone of our nation’s democracy and that it should provide all students with the skills and abilities needed to reach their full potential and become informed and engaged community members and leaders.

Visit her website to learn more!

Amanda Hird - St. Peter School Board, At-Large

Amanda Hird is running for her first term on the St. Peter School Board. She is a therapist at a nearby community mental health clinic. During her work Amanda has seen the unmet needs of individuals and families in the community and believes that the school setting is a gateway to meeting those needs.  Amanda’s goal is that each individual that she meets feels respected and is treated with dignity and worth. She hopes that she can expand this into the school district by helping to shape policies that allow each student to feel safe, secure, and supported. 

Visit her website to learn more!

Zuki Ellis - St. Paul School Board, At-Large

Zuki Ellis currently serves on the St. Paul School Board. She first became an advocate for public education as an advocate for her son, as she recognized the stark differences between schools in different areas of St. Paul. On the School Board, she has worked extensively with students and parents on comprehensive sex education, transgender and non-binary inclusive sex education, consent education, ethnic studies, and special education.

Visit her website to learn more!

Chauntyll Allen - St. Paul School Board, At-Large

Chauntyll Allen has served on the St. Paul School Board since 2020. She is a longtime community organizer, educator, and youth activist–leading Black Lives Matter Twin Cities, founding Love First Community Engagement, and working as the Director of Criminal Justice and Activism at the Wayfinder Foundation. In her first term Chauntyll prioritized raising the pay for paraprofessionals and divesting district investments in private prisons and fossil fuels. 

Visit her website to learn more!

Erica Valliant - St. Paul School Board, At-Large

Erica Valliant is running for her first term on the St. Paul School Board. Erica works at People Serving People–the largest and most comprehensive emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness in Minnesota. Erica will advocate for access to a quality education and housing for children and families–working with parents, coalitions, and statewide stakeholders around systems of change through policy and legislation.

Visit her website to learn more!

These candidates will be champions for Reproductive Freedom on School Boards throughout the state. With their leadership, we will continue to ensure strong, equitable schools for Minnesota families and students. 

Thank you for your continued commitment to Women Winning and the work that we do to elected pro-choice women. Together, we will build a more equitable, just Minnesota.

With gratitude,

Team Women Winning