Weekly News & Event Invitations
In this issue:
100 Rural Women Podcast Episode 15
Rural Assembly Everywhere isToday!
Civic Engagement &Voting
Podcast - Featuring Marlene Johnson
🎙️ Welcome to 100 Rural Women and Their Stories — Episode #15
In this episode, Marlene Johnson shares her inspiring journey from her small-town roots to the path that led to becoming Minnesota’s first woman lieutenant governor, a distinguished career and, ultimately, a published author. She reflects on the leadership lessons she has learned, the importance of embracing diversity, and her experiences navigating public service, community engagement, and life’s many challenges.
✨ Marlene is the author of Rise to the Challenge: A Memoir of Politics, Leadership, and Love, where she offers a deeply personal look at her life, career, and the values that have guided her journey.
Know a woman whose story should be shared? We’d love to hear from you at teresa@100ruralwomen.org.
New episodes drop every Wednesday.
🎧 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 @8:30-9:00a.m.CT
Conference
Rural Assembly Everywhere is TODAY! Thursday, July 23rd!
This free virtual gathering welcomes rural leaders, community members, advocates, and allies. It is a space to imagine new ways of expanding opportunity, share resources, and build a more connected, thriving rural America.
Civic Engagement
File for Office
The filing period for many MN local elected offices is now open!
If you’ve ever considered serving your community, now is the time to take the first step. The filing period is open now and closes at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
Click the “More Info” button below to explore local opportunities to serve your community.
We need more women in formal leadership roles. Your voice, experience, and perspective matter. If running for office isn’t the right fit for you, consider encouraging another woman to step forward. Sometimes, all it takes is one person saying, “I think you’d be great.”
Together, we can strengthen our communities by supporting more women to lead.
Elected Officials
Let your voice be heard—Share your experiences and suggestions with MN 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:
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.