This is a busy time at TakeAction Minnesota. Our member leaders across Minnesota are connecting people and building power. We’re organizing to win elections. And, if you haven’t read our recent blog series, we’re doing more than that. We’re fighting to win the day.
Last week, we announced our BOLD new executive director, Elianne Farhat, a long-time organizer leading us in our next chapter. We also brought on board some inspiring people to help us build, organize, lead, and dream together. Meet the newest members of TakeAction Minnesota.
LyLy Vang Yang, Political Coordinator
LyLy joined in June 2018 as TakeAction Minnesota’s political coordinator. Prior to TakeAction Minnesota, she was an organizer with Melvin Carter’s campaign for St. Paul Mayor and worked as a policy aide in Mayor Carter’s office, implementing a city-wide $15/hour minimum wage.
IN HER OWN WORDS:
I’m excited that here at TakeAction Minnesota, we don’t buy into the dominant narrative of politics. We’re grounded in collectivity and accountability and carry that during and after election season. Elections can be powerful catalysts for involvement and as the political coordinator, it’s important to me to build on the momentum that elections bring. I’m so ready to do work alongside our member leaders, candidates, and elected officials to help develop a Minnesota where everyone can live a life full of joy.
If this sounds exciting to you, take action with us!
WHO’S INSPIRING HER THIS MONTH:
This month, I’m inspired by Anita Hill.
Aliya Khan, Deputy Communications Director
Aliya came to TakeAction Minnesota in September 2018 after working at the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota (ACLU-MN). In her role as communications associate, she helped launch the Minnesota affiliate’s Campaign for Smart Justice microsite and podcast.
IN HER OWN WORDS:
For us to create systems that work for all of us, we have to dismantle the systems that disconnect and oppress us—including systems of racism and sexism. TakeAction Minnesota gets that. For me, the political is very personal. As a multiracial woman and daughter of an immigrant, I have seen firsthand how racism, sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia work to divide and limit our power. TakeAction Minnesota is about more than winning elections—it’s about reclaiming the stories we tell about who we are, both individually and collectively. Stories about what makes us feel fearful, but also what makes us feel joyful, connected, and powerful. As deputy communications director, I can’t wait to hear and help tell those stories.
WHO’S INSPIRING HER THIS MONTH:
Serena Williams using her platform to uplift Naomi Osaka’s achievement, despite her own immediate feelings of disappointment and frustration—damn. That’s pretty inspiring.
Patrick Burke, Digital Organizer
Patrick joined as TakeAction Minnesota’s digital organizer in September 2018. He worked for over three years at the St. Paul Federation of Teachers, most recently as their communications organizer. At SPFT, he worked to elevate educators�� voices and tell the story of the underfunding of public schools in the lead up to the union’s 2017 strike vote.
IN HIS OWN WORDS:
Digital organizing is a powerful way to amplify voices of people who don’t traditionally have access to the media, politicians, and other decision-makers. In the past couple years, movements from Black Lives Matter to the #RedforEd teacher strikes have successfully turned individuals’ voices on social media into collective action pushing for systemic changes. I’m excited to be part of TakeAction Minnesota’s mission to build independent political power, and I want to elevate the work of people who are joyfully fighting for collective change. I’m looking forward to working with the organizers and members of TakeAction Minnesota to use our stories to move us toward a Minnesota where everyone can have a fulfilling, creative, and happy life.
WHO’S INSPIRING HIM THIS MONTH:
This month, I’m being inspired by Beto O’Rourke’s campaign for Senate, which is energizing voters in Texas – including my family members – in a way that hasn’t happened in decades.
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