Weekly News & Event Invitations
In this issue:
100 Rural Women Podcast Episode 9
Honoring Speaker Melissa Hortman
Civic Engagement - Vote 411
Rural Assembly Everywhere
Podcast - Featuring Julie Lucas
🎙️ Welcome to 100 Rural Women and Their Stories — Episode #9
In this conversation, we meet Julie Lucas, the executive director of Mining Minnesota. Teresa and Julie discuss Julie’s journey from a small rural town to a career in the mining industry. She discusses the importance of community engagement, and the lessons learned about resilience and positivity. Julie emphasizes the need for rural women to support each other, the significance of local government, and the impact of organizations like United Way. The conversation highlights building networks, staying positive through challenges, and the need for inclusivity in rural communities.
Know a woman whose story should be shared? We’d love to hear from you
New episodes drop every Wednesday, listen on your favorite streaming platforms.
🎧 Tune in and be inspired.
Morning Connections
Thursdays@8:30 a.m. CT
Morning Connections is an informal meeting series that consist of light conversation over zoom. If you’re looking for a space to take time for yourself to just connect with others, we invite you to join us. Bring beverages, children, breakfast, pets, or work – the goal is to connect informally with other women and a host who will facilitate. We look forward to networking with you!
Hope to see you on ZOOM Thursday mornings!
Honoring
Roses are piled on Melissa Hortman’s desk in the Minnesota House Chamber on the first day of the 2026 legislative session on Feb. 17. Ben Hovland | MPR News
A year after their killings, here are ways to honor the Hortmans this week
By Dana Ferguson political correspondent for MPR News.
Sunday marks one year since a gunman fatally shot former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, in their home and wounded state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.
Across the state, groups are marking the date that shocked the state and the nation. Groups and organizations will hold memorial ceremonies honoring the Hortmans.
Civic Engagement
Voting
VOTE411 is a nonpartisan website managed by the League of Women Voters Education Fund that serves as a one-stop resource for voter information.
Elected Officials
Let your voice be heard—Share your experiences and suggestions with elected officials! Your voice can guide them to make better informed decisions to represent all of their constituents and create stronger communities that thrive for everyone!
Civic Engagement Resources:
Register now for Rural Assembly Everywhere! This annual free virtual gathering will take place on July 23 from 1 - 2:30 pm ET. Rural Assembly welcomes rural leaders, community members, advocates, and allies to tune in to our live, national broadcast of Rural Assembly Everywhere. The program will feature conversations with leading voices in rural life and culture, along with spotlights on inspiring communities across the country.
100 Rural Women creates connections and inspires leadership. We see a future where more rural women lead positive change for themselves, their families, communities, the nation and the world. We are committed to building leadership through networks, mentorship, education, and civic engagement. Our 501(c) 3 non-profit organization is non-partisan.