As part of Women’s History Month, The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota and #ShareTheMicMN have joined together to amplify the work, lives and stories of brilliant young Black, Indigenous, and women of color who are leading in Minnesota today. I’m excited to announce, I am joining this #WFMNxShareTheMicMN campaign!
During the week of March 14-18, I will be “sharing the mic” with Monali Bhakta, an Indian American woman and Minnesota fellow for IGNITE National who is working to give young women – who also navigate systems of oppression – the hope and optimism to fight against hardships, so they can remember who they are fighting for.
“As a 23-year-old woman whose family has been through the hardships of the immigration system, I have a moral obligation to advocate for families that are in similar situations like mine,” Monali said.
Follow along!
You can follow us along as we participate in the #WFMNxShareTheMicMN campaign.
My social media channels:
- Follow my posts on LinkedIn: /james-c-burroughs-ii-he-him-his-54764112/
- Follow my posts on Twitter: https://twitter.com/IntheBurroughs and https://twitter.com/Inclusion_Chief
Monali’s social media channels:
- Follow her posts on Instagram: @monali.bhakta
- Follow her posts on Linkedin: /monali-bhakta
Participating in #WFMNxShareTheMicMN
Listen as I talk with Monali about her goals, hopes and dreams.
Read Monali’s essay
Embracing Our Identity
By: Monali Bhakta
Being in the professional world for the past two years, I have certainly witnessed a lot of systemic inequities that I would like to change in Minnesota. I have understood the value of dismantling male-dominated political culture so we can empower young women to become civically engaged.
Young women are the next generation of political leaders—and it’s about time that we recognize this truth in Minnesota.
I want to serve young women across our state who have been systemically underrepresented in politics at all levels of public policy and government. My goal is to contribute to this intersectional movement by creating spaces that make young women comfortable to elevate their lived experiences—and be the changemakers for their communities.
As someone who has been civically engaged at a young age, I recognize how the political system creates insurmountable barriers against our most marginalized women, putting us in the unique position to challenge these barriers and create our own seat of representation at the table. As an Indian-American woman from a low-income, working-class background and a mixed-status immigrant household, I want to inspire and activate other young women who have felt discouraged by a system that does not work for them. I want us to rightfully take back our power because that is what we deserve.
Lastly, I want to give young women who also navigate systems of oppression the hope, and optimism to fight against hardships, so they can remember who they are fighting for. As a Minnesota Fellow for IGNITE National, I have been engaged in navigating and supporting other young women on their political journeys for an extensive period of time.
I want to be known as an approachable ambassador who spreads the important message that will ignite young women who are ready and eager to be the next generation of political leaders. I also want to instill the belief that we should no longer be afraid of who we are, but embrace our identity in politics.
