Engaging young women and gender-expansive youth in policy, advocacy, and community change is essential for addressing systemic inequities and building a more just and inclusive society for all.
The Young Women's Initiative of Minnesota (YWI MN) is a statewide initiative focusing on young women and gender-expansive youth between the ages of 16 and 24. It is a partnership between the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota and the Governor’s Office.
As part of YWI MN, partners are facilitating statewide and regional cabinets and gathering young women and gender-expansive youth to create connections and partnerships, build leadership skills and opportunities, train in policy making, develop strong advocacy skills, and build collective power to make social change.
Facilitated by YWCA Mankato, the YWI MN Greater Mankato Cabinet is the second regional cabinet in the statewide initiative and is intentionally creating an intersectional brave space for liberation, social action, healing, and joy.
Members of the YWI MN Greater Mankato Cabinet are tasked with ensuring that the work of YWI MN stays grounded in the lived experiences of the young women and gender-expansive people from each community and the community-specific challenges and solutions they identify.
Apply to the Cabinet!
The YWI MN Greater Mankato Cabinet meets twice a month on a weeknight evening with in person and online sessions that explore policy, advocacy, and community change topics. Cabinet members receive a stipend for their time and participation.
Cabinet applications will open again in summer 2025.
The following eligibility requirements apply for membership:
Members must identify as female or gender-expansive.
Member must live, work, or learn in the Greater Mankato area.
Members must be 16-24 years old at the date of program kick-off.
Parent/guardian permission is required for youth under 18.
Members must identify as belonging to at least one of the YWI priority communities: young women of color, American Indian young women, young women from Greater Minnesota, LGBTQ+ youth, and young women with disabilities.
For questions or inquiry about the YWI MN Greater Mankato Cabinet, please reach out to Sophie Hoiseth at sophie@ywcamankato.org