In 2018 and 2019 we partnered with the League of Women Voters Roseville Area and Roseville Schools to host two panel discussions of women sharing their experiences running for office.
The first program was called “Why I Run: Women Finding Their Political Voice. The panelists included:
Clare Verbeten, deputy political
director of the Walz-Flanagan gubernatorial campaign;
Huda Yusuf, an inspired audience member,
Melanie Leehy, who is serving her first
term on the Falcon Heights City Council after her third time running;
Lila Eltawely, who ran for House
District 53A,
moderator Marquita Stephens;
and Alberder Gillespie, who also ran for
District 53A.
In 2019, we hosted the second panel. This time it was called “Women in Politics: Getting Involved”. The panelists were:
Nikki Villavicencio, Maplewood Parks and Rec Commissioner who ran for Maplewood City Council)
Rep. Ruth Richardson District: 52B
Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL) District: 42B
Trista MatasCastillo, Ramsey County Commissioner
You can see a video of this discussion at: