Minnesota launches initiative to educate, employ young women
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is linking up with the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota to create more education and employment opportunities for girls and young women. The effort will form working groups of young women across the state in addition to forming a young women’s cabinet within the governor’s office.
The Young Women's Initiative of Minnesota is specifically focused on improving the lives of young women between the ages of 12 and 24 in several key groups: Young women of color, American Indian young women, those with disabilities, young women from Greater Minnesota and youth who identify as LGBTQ.
“This is truly a statewide effort to expand opportunities for young women and girls when it comes to education and employment and overall opportunity,” Lt. Gov. Tina Smith said. “Because the truth is, all across the state many young women and girls do face barriers to education and jobs and that is holding the entire state back, not just them back.”
The governor’s office is now accepting applications for the young woman’s cabinet on its website. The $8 million statewide initiative is funded by the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota.