John,

For generations, women have been leading families, communities, and movements. They have been organizing for progress, working towards equity in policies and representation. And last week, we saw representation we have never seen before: Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, two women, sitting behind the president at the State of the Union.

John, you know as well as anyone that progress doesn’t happen overnight. This year, Women Winning celebrates 40 years — four decades of women working across the state to elect pro-choice women in Minnesota. This organization began with 25 women meeting in a living room. And now, this coalition has grown to more than 19,000 members strong.

Over the last 40 years, we have seen women make history across Minnesota.

Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton became the first woman and first African American to serve as Minneapolis mayor when she was elected in 1993.

Representative Neva Walker became the first Black woman elected to the Minnesota Legislature when she was elected in 2000.

Senator Patricia Torres Ray became the first Latina to serve in the Minnesota Senate when she was elected in 2006.

Mayor Emily Larson became the first woman to serve as Duluth mayor when she was elected in 2015.

Mayor Maria Regan Gonzalez became the first Latina mayor in Minnesota when she was elected in 2018.

Commissioners Angela Conley and Irene Fernando became the first persons of color to serve on the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners when elected in 2018.

Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan became the first Native woman elected to statewide office when she was elected in 2018.

Congresswoman Angie Craig became the first lesbian mother to serve in Congress when she was elected in 2018.

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar became the first Somali-American and one of the first Muslim women to serve in Congress when she was elected in 2018.

Each of these women - along with so many more women - made history in their elections and have since consistently shown up for their communities and their constituents, advocating for better policies, more opportunities, and reproductive justice.

We’re not slowing down now. This year, we remain focused on increasing representation to elect a government that everyone can see themselves in. That includes making sure pro-choice women across the state have the support they need to say YES to running for office — and then to win. And it includes electing a Black woman to serve in the Minnesota Senate, where, throughout Minnesota's entire history, a Black woman has never served.

That’s why, on International Women’s Day, we are asking for you to join us with a bold commitment to electing pro-choice women. Will you contribute $25 to this work today?

Your donation goes directly to making sure pro-choice women have access to the support they need to run for office and WIN — at absolutely no cost to them.

Let’s keep making history together.

-Team Women Winning

Women Winning is a Minnesota non-profit corporation that is recognized as a tax-exempt 501(c)(4) organization. Contributions are not tax-deductible for income tax purposes.
Women Winning
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Suite 310
Saint Paul, MN 55114
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