From fundraisers to support pro-choice women candidates to volunteer activations to turn out the vote in the most competitive races, Women Winning events are an opportunity to plug in and connect with other Minnesotans dedicated to changing the face of power.
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Mia Z Parisian has spent most of her life in Robbinsdale. Mia’s mom raised her and her siblings in a little blue house with a red door in Ward 3. Mia attended Robbinsdale schools, and her first job was with the Parks and Recreation Department. She graduated from St. Olaf College and moved abroad to teach at a University in Southeast Asia. Upon returning home to Robbinsdale, she now works as an Instructional Designer and lives with her husband in that very same blue house with the red door in Ward 3. She is passionate about inclusion, the environment, and representation. Mia serves as the Chair of Robbinsdale’s Planning Commission. Robbinsdale has never had more than one woman serve on its City Council at one time. Mia is now the only woman on the Robbinsdale City Council ballot and looks forward to serving her community in a new and impactful way.
My name is Kindra Ramaker and I was born in Spring Valley, Minnesota. My family and I have lived in rural High Forest, just outside Stewartville, for the past 10 years. I graduated from public high school in Spring Valley and went to college at Creighton University and got a graduate degree from the University of Minnesota. I’ve spent most of my professional career as an analyst and a project manager. I’ve found these skills very valuable in every aspect of my life. It involves understanding the big picture first, and then breaking it down into actionable steps. It requires leading diverse groups of people and getting them to see the same vision and do their unique part to accomplish it - all within the timeline and on budget. I thrive on tackling some of the most difficult, sometimes even gnarly problems. I love looking at situations and finding the most wins for everyone rather than competing for one group of people to win the most. My best satisfaction comes from seeing teams thrive and problems getting solved. Trophies have never been important to me.
Therese Kiser is running for re-election to Crystal City Council, Ward I. She was first elected in 2018 and wants to continue the work during a second term. Therese is a long time Crystal resident and has been involved in her community in many ways. She has volunteered for many organizations. Currently, she serves on the Community Board of the New Hope YMCA and is Vice-president of the Crystal Historical Society. Therese and her husband, Randy, have been married for 35 years, they have two grown sons and love to travel.
Kriystauhl Fitchett is no stranger when it comes to making strong inroads in political affairs. Having grown up with parents who sparked her interest in becoming active in community action, she knew her purpose in life and the direction of her personal and professional career. After earning a BA in political science and an MA in public administration, the Ohio native stepped away from her hometown to establish new beginnings in Minnesota. In 2006, she immediately began volunteering with the city of Burnsville to learn, first-hand, what the strongest needs of the community were. While working in numerous government positions with the Minnesota Legislature, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, and the Minnesota District Courts, Kriystauhl has seamlessly worked with Mayor’s, elected and appointed Officials, Judicial Officers, Law Enforcement, business owners, private citizens to members holding local office. She firmly believes building relationships and a coalition to work together to achieve common goal will help Burnsville become a model city. While actively serving as the Chair for the Burnsville Economic Development Commission, Chair for Minnesota MAPE employees, and previously serving with the Dayton Administration as Co-Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, her sights are focused on becoming the first African American female to sit on the Burnsville City Council where she hopes to apply more than 25 years of knowledge and experience working with economic development, government budgets, block grants and public programs to help the city achieve its goal to provide more affordable housing, accessibility and expansion of broadband, and to revitalize its under-developed commercial real estate. Kriystauhl believes these efforts will help to make Burnsville a more vibrant and inclusive community for all its ever-increasing diverse residents.
Karen MacLaughlin is a candidate for Olmsted County Attorney (Rochester, Minnesota). Ms. MacLaughlin received her law degree with honors from William Mitchell College of Law and has been a successful trial attorney in Rochester for 19 years and counting. She served as an Assistant Olmsted County Attorney from 1999-2016, and now practices family law for a local legal aid agency representing low-income clients. She was elected to the Rochester School Board in 2020, and currently serves as Treasurer. She previously served on the boards of the local Women’s Shelter, the League of Women Voters, and the Olmsted County Human Rights Commission. Ms. MacLaughlin is an active and visible member of the community, and is a passionate advocate for human rights, safe communities, crime victims, and reducing systemic barriers to justice. She is fiercely pro-choice and a strong advocate for reproductive justice. She believes every person has a right to a safe, legal and accessible abortion. She believes in every person’s right to bodily autonomy and the individual right to make healthcare decisions. If elected Olmsted County Attorney and if abortion becomes illegal in Minnesota, Ms. MacLaughlin is committed to using her prosecutorial discretion to deny prosecution of anyone who has an abortion, provides an abortion, or assists with an abortion in Olmsted County.
Emily currently works as the Data Privacy Manager for a publicly-traded corporation. She believes all of us have a right to privacy and to have our personal information protected. Emily analyzes state and federal privacy laws and develops policies to protect our clients’ personal data. She also values government openness. Previously, Emily was the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s Data Practices Compliance Officer, responsible for ensuring its employees faithfully complied with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Emily’s MBA is from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Susan Pha is the SD38 DFL candidate for State Senate. She currently serves as the Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Brooklyn Park. She was elected to the City Council in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. She is a Commissioner of the Economic and Development Authority and a Board Member of the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth. For almost 20 years Susan has organized and built community power to uplift women and girls through mentorship, addressing gender inequities, and creating economic opportunities. Susan is known as a leader and champion for youth programs, education and economic opportunities, livable wages, and affordable housing. She is a passionate advocate for access to mental health services, and affordable healthcare. Susan is ready to work and fight hard for policies that improve the lives of the people in her district and across Minnesota.
Michelle Boyechko is a small farmer in Northern Minnesota raising Dexter Cattle, KuneKune Pigs and two teenagers. She felt obliged to rub after the Roe decision was leaked, followed by the Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX shootings. The thought that she may never see her kids after hugging them good-bye the morning after Uvalde was too much. Michelle is a strong proponent for abortion rights, common sense gun legislation and rebuilding rural areas by supporting small to medium farms.
Richfield At-Large Council Member Mary Supple is running for Mayor of Richfield. Supple is an active local leader and was a teacher in Richfield Public Schools for 33 years. She currently serves on the City Council and is chair of the Richfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Council Member Supple was active as a local union leader in Education Richfield serving as local president as well as lead contract negotiator. She was also a member of the Education Minnesota Governing Board, a member of the National Education Association Board of Directors, and a trustee of the Minnesota Teacher Retirement Association. Supple is excited about the future of Richfield and wants to work together with residents to dream about and build the future of our thriving community.