who we are and why we are building a consumer-owned media co-op

WHO WE ARE

• At Minnesota Women’s Press, we practice solidarity journalism, amplifying first-person stories of powerful everyday women (cis and trans) and nonbinary Minnesotans.
• We elevate voices that do not come from podiums or press releases.
• Our tagline is “Media that makes a difference.”
• We are evolving into a media platform with a civic structure.
• In the past year alone, we published 300 original stories across core issue areas, including violence prevention, housing, caregiving, immigration, mental health, and systems change.

This reporting is supported by an active engagement ecosystem that includes:

• Statewide listening sessions in communities that recently included Rochester, Mankato, St. Cloud, Worthington, Farmington, and Grand Rapids, as well as Twin Cities forums on data centers and housing
• Recognition from the state media association, most recently including multiple 2025 awards for social issues and impact, and several community awards for gender-based violence coverage
• New “Talk & Do” forums that connect storytelling with community dialogue and action

Looking ahead, our transition to a consumer-owned media cooperative represents a significant evolution. By integrating democratic participation — through member voting, editorial boards, and community governance — we are building a new model where media is both created by and accountable to the people it serves. This will formalize the shared leadership we have practiced for years.

 

Our story is about how communities build power, trust, and change together.

 

 

THE CO-OP VISION

1. Community ownership shapes the mission
   Our consumer-owned co-op structure ensures that the people most connected to the core issues we cover help guide the stories we tell and the future we build together. (already a brand staple)
2. Narrative change is part of systems change
   Shifting public narratives helps people see the connections between environmental, economic, and public health challenges — and the collective solutions emerging.
3. Communities are co-creators, not just audiences
   Our editorial process is less about reporting on communities to building stories with communities through shared leadership and collaboration.
4. A diverse editorial board will guide storytelling
   Community members with lived experience directly influence story selection, framing, sourcing, and editorial priorities within the co-op structure. (first board, for Future Forward/The Eco, in operation)
5. Grassroots knowledge will drive reporting
   The co-op model elevates insights from residents, organizers, cooperative networks, and community-based organizations working on real-world solutions. (already a brand staple)
6. Healing and dialogue are part of journalism
   Beyond publishing stories, the co-op will create opportunities for facilitated discussions and healing circles that strengthen relationships and collective action. (already in process)

This is not a major shift from how we do things now but creates a stronger infrastructure.

Each April, members will vote on which four topic areas we will focus on each year, elect leadership board, and nominate editorial board members for each of the core topics.

TIMELINE

May 27, 2026 — The Under 30 editorial board will convene to strategize about the direction, story angles, and sources of the upcoming September magazine issue.

Fall 2026 — The steering committee of organizational partners begin to frame the co-op structure together, establishing the editorial priorities for the January 2027 issue.

January 2027 — The first co-op magazine led by two or three editorial board teams will launch, including collective action steps, statewide policy priorities, and community talking points. Discussion guides and feedback tools will be distributed alongside the magazine to “free libraries” by membership ambassadors statewide, who will also convene discussions that inform the editorial board about what resonates, inspires, and encourages community actions.

February 2027 — A monthly newsletter for each of the core topics will launch, led by a dedicated editor, including discussions around these stories. Insights from these conversations will inform and inspire future reporting.

April 2027 — The next quarterly publication will report on the collective actions and story ideas generated since January.

The first co-op general meeting will be held to elect annual leadership board members.

Members will vote on which four topic areas we will focus on for the coming year, elect leadership board, and nominate editorial board members for each of the core topics.

 

Contact us to learn how you can be involved.