Welcome Shawnu!

I come to TakeAction as the Women and the Economy Organizer in Duluth from the YWCA of Duluth where I actively worked to eliminate racism and empower women.  Although not an organizer in title until now, social justice has been a proponent of my life since I was young.

I grew up in a small town and discrimination toward Native Americans was present everywhere, especially in the school system. Coming from a predominantly Native family I felt first-hand how awful oppression is and how public systems work to perpetuate that oppression.  As a woman I know all too well the struggles faced in the workplace and educational systems. I’m passionate about energizing and engaging the community in work that fuels change and creates equity for everyone.

For me the most exciting part of my work at TakeAction is being part of creating a vision for Duluth through connecting with organizational partners & cohorts, community members & leaders, public officials and local businesses.  Growing and building a sense of true community in our towns and cities will help us address social justice issues.

Though my focus in organizing is around issues for working women and their families, I think that you cannot truly address anything in solidarity.  Fully recognizing how interconnected racism, classism, and gender oppression are key to truly getting to the root of any issue.  I’m am so excited to reach out to the greater Duluth community and talk with folks about what is most important to them, and to do trainings in our community that help develop people’s leadership skills.

I want to end with a quote from Audre Lorde that a very dear co-worker of mine shared with me at the YWCA because it is reflective of the way I feel about my work and my life.  “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.”