The caucus held a kickoff event March 22 in St. Paul that drew about 60 people. Attendees heard from the caucus leaders as well as Shar Knutson, president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO; Edwina Garcia, former MAPE member and former Minnesota state representative; Tene Jones, former executive director, WomenVenture; and Laura Goodman, candidate for Ramsey County sheriff.
Speakers addressed issues facing women in government and in the workplace and identified the need to empower women in the workforce.
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| MAPE Women\'s Caucus members and organizers are pictured above. From left to right, they include: front: Tammy Miller-Hess, Marge Ramsey and Carol Walsh; back: Ann Hill, Donita Haack, Carla Leintz, Mary Baker, Sarah Hustad, Jill Hiatt and Carol Johnson. Photo courtesy of MAPE |
MAPE is the largest union of professional state employees in Minnesota and has more than 12,700 members.
While 53 percent of MAPE members are women, only 20 percent hold statewide elected office, 38 percent are directors and 33 percent are chief stewards. The disparity, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that women in MAPE don’t wish to be leaders, according to First Vice President Jill Hiatt.
“Women are willing to be full members and participate in the work of MAPE, but are reluctant to make the leap to higher level leadership,” said Hiatt. “We believe a women’s caucus could work to open up more points of entry for women that will help bridge that leadership gap.”
The inaugural event was planned by Ann Hill, president of Local 1101, and Sarah Hustad, vice president of Local 1101. “With continued support from members and the community, the MAPE Women’s Caucus will create a powerful movement that will shape the future of MAPE and Minnesota,” the union said.
This article is adapted from a report on the MAPE website.
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The caucus held a kickoff event March 22 in St. Paul that drew about 60 people. Attendees heard from the caucus leaders as well as Shar Knutson, president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO; Edwina Garcia, former MAPE member and former Minnesota state representative; Tene Jones, former executive director, WomenVenture; and Laura Goodman, candidate for Ramsey County sheriff.
Speakers addressed issues facing women in government and in the workplace and identified the need to empower women in the workforce.
| |
| MAPE Women\’s Caucus members and organizers are pictured above. From left to right, they include: front: Tammy Miller-Hess, Marge Ramsey and Carol Walsh; back: Ann Hill, Donita Haack, Carla Leintz, Mary Baker, Sarah Hustad, Jill Hiatt and Carol Johnson.
Photo courtesy of MAPE |
MAPE is the largest union of professional state employees in Minnesota and has more than 12,700 members.
While 53 percent of MAPE members are women, only 20 percent hold statewide elected office, 38 percent are directors and 33 percent are chief stewards. The disparity, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that women in MAPE don’t wish to be leaders, according to First Vice President Jill Hiatt.
“Women are willing to be full members and participate in the work of MAPE, but are reluctant to make the leap to higher level leadership,” said Hiatt. “We believe a women’s caucus could work to open up more points of entry for women that will help bridge that leadership gap.”
The inaugural event was planned by Ann Hill, president of Local 1101, and Sarah Hustad, vice president of Local 1101. “With continued support from members and the community, the MAPE Women’s Caucus will create a powerful movement that will shape the future of MAPE and Minnesota,” the union said.
This article is adapted from a report on the MAPE website.
Related article
Women leaders speak truth to power