Changemakers: Edit Letter and TOC
In this month’s Changemakers issue, we celebrate women whose work embodies the transformative power of individual action. These women — along with hundreds of others recognized by Minnesota Women’s Press since 1989 — are at the heart of our mission to recognize people statewide who drive change. The selection process began with nominations from you, our readers. Even after weeding out people who had already appeared in our pages, there are at least a dozen more women who could have been featured if we had the space.
The women highlighted in 2024 represent an array of passions and backgrounds. They are advancing mental and physical health, challenging injustices, protecting the environment, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering dialogue for mutual understanding.
As we face the challenges of healing, supporting, and protecting each other in 2025, the eight women featured this month remind us that meaningful transformation happens when people come together with purpose. They stand as a powerful reminder of the impact we can have, individually and collectively.
Still Alive, and Seeking
As we near our 40th anniversary, I am deeply grateful to philanthropists Michelle and Bill Pohlad, and longtime supporter Kristin Siegesmund, who stepped in to help us stay afloat when we faced an urgent financial shortfall in October. Without their generosity, and those of others from our capital campaign so far, this magazine would no longer happen.
I purchased Minnesota Women’s Press a year after Hillary Clinton was passed over during the 2016 election. I knew it was important to keep this magazine open — the longest-running feminist publication in the U.S. That truth rings louder today.
Thanks to philanthropy, we now have the start of a budget to hire a membership consultant. To ensure long-term sustainability and deepen our impact, I need someone to work alongside me as a partner, helping to increase revenue so that I can focus on content and conversations statewide. We are also forming a steering committee to help raise funds and plan our 40th anniversary celebration on May 1. Contact me with ideas at editor@womenspress.com.
Table of Contents
“Optimists think it will all be fine without our involvement; pessimists take the opposite position; both excuse themselves from acting …What we do matters.”
— Rebecca Solnit, author of Hope in the Dark
Justice — Marvina Haynes: Voice for the Accused
Greater Minnesota — Alice Moren: Taking the Big View
Education — Ayan Omar: Connecting Diversity
Physical Health — Britt Howell: Proactive About Health
Mental Health — ANEW’s Recovery Clinic: Can-Do Spirit
Environment — Marla Spivak: Bee Researcher
Turtle Island — Leah Lemm: Musicality and Native Stories
Healing — How We Can Heal Each Other
Changemakers Alliance — Stepping Into 2025 … Violence Free Minnesota 2023 homicide report
Thoughts — Finding Joy in the Dark
Holiday — A Showcase of Books
Resources
We have dubbed 2025 the Year of Creating the Village. Learn about the monthly themes that will guide our work.
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For 2025 coverage, Minnesota Women’s Press earned a community leadership award, three photography awards, and four editorial awards, including for coverage of social issues and for our Spring 2025 “Know Your Rights” special section supported by Unidos MN. Our publisher was named Journalist of the Year by Violence Free Minnesota for gender-based violence coverage.
