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🌟 Celebrating Women’s History Month with Dr. Denise Dukes 🌟

Meet Dr. Denise Dukes, a trailblazing neuroscientist, mentor, and advocate for equity in STEM! As a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Dukes earned her bachelor’s degree from Fisk University, a historically Black college, before completing her Master’s and Doctoral degrees at the University of California, Irvine.

Today, Dr. Dukes is an assistant professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota, where her groundbreaking research focuses on the long-term effects of adolescent nicotine and cannabinoid exposure (poly-substance use).

At just 24 years old, Dr. Dukes founded and became President of Black In Neuro, an international organization dedicated to supporting Black scholars in neuroscience and related fields. Her leadership and mentorship earned her a spot on the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the “Social Impact” category—an incredible achievement!

Dr. Dukes is also a champion for diversity and inclusion in STEM. She has directed three NIH-funded programs that provide research opportunities and professional development for historically marginalized students. At the University of Minnesota Medical School, she has created spaces for the Black, LGBTQ+, and Latinx communities in STEM, fostering a sense of belonging for individuals at all career levels.

Let’s celebrate Dr. Denise Dukes this #WomensHistoryMonth for her incredible contributions to neuroscience, her dedication to mentorship, and her unwavering commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable future in STEM. 💪✨

with Sarah Agaton Howes 🌟

Meet Sarah Agaton Howes, an inspiring Anishinaabe-Ojibwe artist, teacher, and community organizer from the Fond du Lac Reservation in Minnesota. Through her creativity and leadership, Sarah is revitalizing traditional Ojibwe art and sharing it with the world in contemporary and meaningful ways.

Sarah is the founder of Heart Berry (Ode’imin, meaning “strawberry” in Ojibwe), a business that beautifully blends traditional Ojibwe designs with modern styles. From blankets and clothing to workshops and murals, Sarah’s work is a celebration of culture, creativity, and community.

A recipient of the 20 Under 40 award for her leadership, Sarah’s impact extends far beyond her art. In 2018, she created the stunning mural “Canter of Good Things” in Duluth, merging traditional and contemporary styles to tell a powerful story.

Sarah is also a passionate educator, teaching cultural art workshops on moccasin making, beadwork, and more. She encourages others to embrace their creativity and become makers themselves. Her bilingual moccasin pattern book, “Nookomis Obagijigan: Grandmother’s Gift,” co-created with Michelle Defoe, is a beautiful resource for learning the art of Ojibwe moccasin making.

In 2021, Sarah was honored as an Artist in Business Leadership (ABL) Fellow, a yearlong program supporting artists in strengthening their communities through their craft.

Let’s celebrate Sarah Agaton Howes this #WomensHistoryMonth for her incredible contributions to art, culture, and community. Her work reminds us of the power of tradition, creativity, and the importance of sharing our stories. 💜✨

🌟 Celebrating Women’s History Month with Lena Olive Smith 🌟

Meet Lena Olive Smith, a trailblazer and champion for justice in Minnesota! As the first Black woman to become a licensed attorney in the state, Lena broke barriers and paved the way for future generations. A graduate of Northwestern College of Law (now part of Mitchell Hamline), she used her legal expertise to fight tirelessly for equality and justice.

Lena made history again as the first female president of the Minneapolis NAACP, where she prioritized challenging discrimination and advancing civil rights. Her most notable case involved representing Arthur and Edith Lee, a Black family who faced relentless harassment and violence after moving into a white neighborhood. Despite the mobs throwing stones, feces, and even poisoning their family dog, Lena stood by the Lees, representing them pro bono and securing police protection for their home.

A lifelong advocate for her South Minneapolis community, Lena dedicated her life to protecting and uplifting those around her. Even on the day she passed, she was due in court—proof of her unwavering commitment to justice.

Let’s honor Lena Olive Smith this #WomensHistoryMonth for her groundbreaking contributions to civil rights, her community, and the legal profession. 💪⚖️✨

🌟 Celebrating Women’s History Month with Gloria Perez 🌟

Meet Gloria Perez, the inspiring President and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota—the first statewide women’s foundation in the country! Under her leadership, the foundation has distributed nearly $50 million to advance gender and racial equity through groundbreaking research and community projects.

A proud Macalester College graduate, Gloria has been recognized with prestigious awards like the Alexandrine Medal, an honorary doctorate, and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. From her roots in San Antonio to her impactful work in Minneapolis, Gloria has dedicated her life to empowering women and families.

As a leading expert in two-generation strategies to reduce poverty, she transformed lives through her leadership at the Jeremiah Program, helping families move from poverty to prosperity. Today, she continues to pave pathways for women living at the margins, using an intersectional equity lens to address the unique challenges faced by women and girls across race, ethnicity, place, disability, LGBTQ+, and immigration status.

Gloria’s advocacy for policies improving economic security and safety for women and their families is changing lives. Let’s celebrate her incredible contributions and commitment to building a more equitable future for all! 💪💜

🌟 This #WomensHistoryMonth, we celebrate the trailblazers, the dreamers, the fighters, and the creators who’ve shaped our past and are building our future. 🌍✨ From the women who broke barriers to those who quietly changed the world, their stories remind us of the power of resilience, courage, and unity.

This month—and every month—let’s honor the women who inspire us, uplift the voices that need to be heard, and continue the work toward equality and justice. 💪❤️

Who’s a woman who inspires you? Share her name below and let’s keep HERstory alive. 👇

🌟 Celebrating Penumbra Theatre, a beacon of Black artistry and social justice since 1976. Founded by Lou Bellamy, Minnesota’s first Black professional theater company has become a national treasure, now led by his daughter, Sarah Bellamy. Based in St. Paul, Penumbra is one of only three professional African American theaters in the U.S. to offer a full season of powerful, transformative performances. 🎭✨

Penumbra’s mission is to amplify African American voices and create spaces where stories of resilience, identity, and justice can thrive. As Lou Bellamy shared, ‘We wanted to give voice to people who had heretofore been voiceless… Our grandparents, our uncles, all those people who weren’t allowed to speak in many of the other Twin Cities theaters at the time.’

Through their work, Penumbra nurtures ethical expressions of the human spirit, inspiring creativity, enacting justice, and building compassionate communities. 🌍💡 Their holistic approach to racial healing fosters discovery, belonging, and reciprocity, offering practical tools for collective wellbeing.

Here’s to Penumbra’s legacy and its enduring impact on art, culture, and social change. 🖤

✨ Did you know? Black people have a rich history of practicing yoga in America dating all the way back to 1926. This is the September 1975 edition of Ebony Magazine, featuring the article ‘Yoga, Something For Everyone.’ The piece highlights Krishna Kaur, a Black yoga pioneer who studied under Yogi Bhajan in 1970. Bhajan recognized the unique challenges faced by the Black community in the U.S. and believed yoga could offer inner peace and healing from years of trauma.

Black people have been using yoga for decades to transcend the pain and chaos of daily life. As Krishna Kaur says, ‘The struggle is not on a physical level. It is on the level of the mind.’ 🧘🏾‍♀️💭

Let’s celebrate this legacy of resilience, healing, and mindfulness. Yoga is for everyone, and its roots in the Black community run deep. 🌍✨

🌟 Honoring the legendary Dick Gregory—a trailblazer in comedy, activism, and so much more. 🎤✨ In the 1960s, Gregory made history as the first African American comedian to successfully cross over to white audiences, using his platform to challenge racial injustice and spark change. His stand-up evolved into powerful political activism, from protesting the Vietnam War to advocating for civil rights. 📚 A prolific writer, he authored 17 books and even ran for president in 1968 under the Freedom and Peace Party.

As his best friend, Dr. E. Faye Williams, shared, ‘He was about social activism that made a positive difference in the lives of so many who often could or would not speak for themselves.’ His book, ‘Wake Up and Stay Woke,’ reveals the man behind the comedy and fiery speeches—a visionary who dedicated his life to uplifting others. 💡

Though he passed in 2017, his legacy lives on. Let’s remember Dick Gregory not just as a comedian, but as a fearless advocate for justice, equality, and peace. 🌍✊🏾 #BlackHistoryMonth

✨ Meet Gabrielle Mariah Roberts, the visionary behind 612 Jungle, Minnesota’s first Black-owned yoga studio, opened in August 2018. 🌿 With a mission to make wellness accessible, affordable, and relatable, Gabrielle created a space where her community could experience the life-changing power of yoga—just as she did. 🧘🏾‍♀️ Through her Jungle Yoga School, she’s sharing this transformative practice in an intentional and empowering way. 💫 As Gabrielle says, ‘Wellness shouldn’t be a luxury.’ 🌍 Let’s celebrate her incredible work and the impact she’s making in her community! 🙌🏾