Celebrating Notable Women Who Shaped Minnesota History

Notable Women in History in Minnesota

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Pillsbury United Communities is proud to recognize the significant contributions of women from all backgrounds. This week, we spotlight the historic milestones and accomplishments of women in Minnesota. Their stories of resilience, creativity, and leadership continue to inspire us all.

Lena O. Smith

1885 – 1966

Lena Smith made history in 1921 as the first Black woman to practice law in Minnesota. As the first female president of the Minneapolis NAACP, she led the charge against racial discrimination in the North, addressing housing, employment, and education issues.

Her pioneering work broke barriers for Black women in the legal profession and left a lasting impact on the fight for civil rights in the United States. “I’m used to doing the right thing without regard for myself,” Smith once said. “Of course, battles leave their scars, but I’m willing to make the sacrifice.”

Eloise ButlerEloise Butler

1851 – 1933

Eloise Butler’s pioneering work in gardening lives on at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary in Theodore Wirth Park, the oldest public wildflower garden in the U.S. The garden offers a tranquil escape into nature.

Butler began her career as a botany teacher in the early 1900s. She would take her students to explore the wetlands and uplands of what was then called Glenwood Park.

In 1907, after advocating it, she and others successfully petitioned the Park Board to designate a small plot of land for the garden, which Butler cared for on a volunteer basis.

In 1929, the garden was officially named in her honor, solidifying her enduring legacy in horticulture.

Mee MouaMee Moua

1969 – Present

In January 2002, Mee Moua made history as the first Asian woman elected to the Minnesota Legislature and the first Hmong American elected to any state legislature. Moua, a St. Paul lawyer, ran on a campaign platform focused on education, housing, the economy, and public safety.

As Minnesota has the largest Hmong population in the U.S., Mou’s victory in St. Paul’s District 67 had a profound political and cultural impact on the Hmong community, marking a milestone in representation and political involvement for Hmong Americans. She was re-elected twice, serving a total of nine years in the Minnesota Senate.

Today, Mou serves as the president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, which advocates for civic engagement for Asian Americans and other underserved communities.

Nellie FrancisNellie Francis

1874 – 1969

At the turn of the 20th century, Nellie (Griswold) Francis emerged as an influential leader for civil rights in Minnesota. She made history as the only African American student to graduate from St. Paul High School in 1891 and was one of eight students chosen to deliver a graduation speech. In her address, Francis boldly asserted that the “race problem” was a construct of white Americans, who viewed Black citizens as dangerous rather than recognizing them as hard-working, peaceful, and patriotic—much less as equals.

This forward-thinking and fearless stance became a hallmark of her advocacy, which included the drafting of and lobbying for the adoption of a state anti-lynching bill that was signed into law in 1921, following the lynchings of three Black carnival workers in Duluth in 1920

Toni StoneToni Stone

1921 – 1996

Toni Stone was a pioneering figure in the history of baseball, breaking gender and racial barriers in the sport. Born in 1921 in St. Paul’s historic Rondo neighborhood, Stone went on to become the first woman to play professional baseball in the Negro Leagues.

In 1953, she joined the Indianapolis Clowns, a team in the Negro American League, making her the first woman to compete in the league. Stone played second base and was known for her agility and strong arm.

In 1990, Stone was featured in the “Women in Baseball” and “Negro League Baseball” exhibits at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Three years later, she was inducted into the Women’s Sports Hall of Fame and the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame. Award-winning playwright Lydia R. Diamond also produced an off-Broadway play about her life.

Next Week:  We’ll honor the the women of Pillsbury United Communities making history today.

March 1-31, 2025 Brian Coyle Center Food Shelf is the Seward Community Co-Op March SEED recipient!

Seward Co-OP March SEED Recipient

March 1-31, 2025, Pillsbury United Communities – Brian Coyle Center Food Shelf is the Seward Community Co-Op March SEED recipient! Round up at the register to help nourish your community. The Seward Co-op SEED program is a way in which the Seward Co-Op work towards their ends. The SEED program is a simple yet powerful community giving opportunity that allows customers to “round-up” their grocery bill for recipient organizations that share our commitment to a healthy community. All funds donated at the register are given directly to the recipient organization at the end of each month. Read More:

Seward Co-Op locations:

Franklin Store

Address: 2823 E Franklin Avenue
Minneapolis MN 55406
Hours: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily

Friendship Store

Address: 317 E 38th Street
Minneapolis MN 55409
Hours: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily

 

 

Breaking Barriers: Celebrating Significant Women in History

Women's History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month, Pillsbury United Communities is excited to celebrate the vital contributions of women from all walks of life.

This week, we highlight the past and present achievements of women across the globe, who have broken barriers and made groundbreaking advancements in diverse fields such as science, aviation, public service and activism.

Their stories of perseverance, innovation, and leadership inspire us all.

Marian CroakMarian Croak, pioneering engineer

1955-present

Did you know that a woman played a key role in the technology behind Zoom and Microsoft Teams? Marian Croak was instrumental in developing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology during her time at AT&T.

VoIP allows voice signals to be converted into digital data, enabling calls directly from computers or other digital devices.

During her career, Croak and her team developed a groundbreaking text-to-donate system for charitable organizations, which gained widespread use after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005. With over 200 patents to her name, Croak is one of the first two Black women inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Currently, she continues to innovate as the vice president of engineering at Google.

Croak offers an inspiring perspective on invention: “Many people think inventors have to be brilliant and off the charts in terms of their IQ, super smart and super academic in school and have gotten all A’s, and that’s not at all true. Inventors are usually people like you. “Sometimes they’re good at certain things, other times they’re not, and that’s ok. Just focus on what you want to change, and you become that change and can make that change happen.”

 

Patsy MinkPatsy Mink trailblazing congresswoman

1927-2002

In 1964, Patsy Mink made history as the first woman of color elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the first Asian American woman to serve in Congress. A native of Hawaii, Mink attended Wilson College in Pennsylvania and the University of Nebraska after high school but transferred due to racial discrimination. She later earned her law degree from the University of Chicago Law School and became the first Japanese American woman to practice law in Hawaii.

After Hawaii became a state in 1959, Mink set her sights on Congress. In 1962, she secured a seat in the Hawaii State Senate, and in 1964, she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Throughout her tenure, Mink championed causes like gender and racial equality, affordable childcare, bilingual education, and environmental protection. She authored key legislation, including the Early Childhood Education Act and the Women’s Educational Equity Act. Mink is most renowned for authoring Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which banned sex discrimination in federally funded schools.

Mink once said, “I can’t change the past. But I can certainly help somebody else in the future, so they don’t have to go through what I did.”

 

Bessie ColemanBessie Coleman, groundbreaking aviator

1892-1926

Bessie Coleman made history as the first African American woman to earn a pilot’s license and fly an aircraft in the United States. As a Black woman, she was unable to receive her pilot license in the U.S. at the time. So Coleman turned to Robert S. Abbott, publisher of the Chicago Defender, who advised her to move to France to follow her dream. In 1921, she earned her flying license, two years before Amelia Earhart.

Coleman’s first public flight in the U.S. took place on September 3, 1922, in Long Island, New York, marking her as the first Black woman to perform a public flight in the country. She went on to tour the nation, performing stunts and giving lectures to raise funds for an African American flying school. However, she would only perform for audiences at events where segregation was abolished and all spectators, regardless of race, entered through the same gates.

Tragically, Coleman’s life was cut short in 1926, when she died in a plane crash while rehearsing for an aerial performance. Despite her untimely death, her legacy endured. In 1929, William J. Powell founded the Bessie Coleman Aero Club in Los Angeles, which became an influential force in aviation. Through this club, many aviators—including the Five Blackbirds, the Flying Hobos, and the Tuskegee Airmen—were either directly or indirectly inspired by Coleman’s example, helping to further her dream of increasing African American participation in aviation.

Coleman’s determination and courage are encapsulated in her quote: “I refused to take no for an answer.”

 

Malala YousafzaiMalala Yousafzai, fierce advocate

1997–present

Malala Yousafzai, now 27, began advocating for girls’ right to education in her native Pakistan at just 11 years old. Despite facing immense opposition and danger, her resolve to fight for the education of young girls only grew stronger. In 2012, Malala was targeted in an assassination attempt by the Taliban but miraculously survived. Rather than deterring her, the attack fueled her determination to continue her advocacy on a global scale.

In 2014, at just 17 years old, Malala became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, a recognition of her tireless efforts to promote education for girls worldwide. Through the Malala Fund, she works relentlessly to ensure that girls everywhere have access to 12 years of free, quality education. Her unwavering courage has made her a powerful symbol of strength and hope, showing how one individual can spark change and shape a brighter future for millions.

In addition to her activism, Malala has ventured into media with her production company, Extracurricular, which has a deal with Apple TV+. The company produced the critically acclaimed documentary “The Last of the Sea Women.”

Malala is famously quoted as saying, “One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world,” a powerful reminder of the transformative power of education.

 

Next Up:  Next week we’ll honor historical contributions of women in Minnesota.

Pillsbury United Communities is Celebrating Black History Month

Pillsbury United Communities is celebrating Black History Month by sharing some upcoming events in the Twin Cities-metro area.

February 16 | 12:30 pm
Minneapolis Spirit of Black History Brunch
Tap-In, 2618 Lowry Ave. N., Minneapolis
Read More

February 20 | 5-7:30 pm
African Americans and Labor
Arlington Hills Community Center
1200 Payne Ave, St. Paul, MN
Read More

February 21 | 4-7 pm
Black to the Future! Kids’ Black History Exploration
825 Arts, 825 University Ave
Read More

February 21 | 5-8 pm
Brooklyn Park Black History Month Showcase
Community Activity Center
5600 85th Ave, N. Brooklyn Park
Read More

February 22 | 10am-1 pm
2nd Annual Black Men’s Brunch – Bring back the Love
The Den, 817 5th Ave. S. #200, Minneapolis
Read More

February 22 | 11am-3 pm
Black History Month: Breaking Generational Curses
825 Arts, University Ave. W, St.Paul
Read More

February 23 | 2-5 pm
How are you feeling mentally? Black Men’s Panel
825 Arts, University Ave. W, St.Paul
Read More

February 27 | 6-8 pm
S.H.I.N.E. & G.R.I.N.D Black History Month Showcase
North Senior High School
2416 11th Ave, St. Paul
Read More

February 28 | 7 pm
The Sound of Gospel Music presented by Rochester NAACP
Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester
Read More

February 28 | 7-9:30 pm
Reads for My People
Fifth Element, 2411 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis
Read More

FREE Home lead Assessment and up to $15k in Grants

FREE Lead Assessment and Grants

Protect your family from lead exposure | You may qualify for a free home lead assessment and up to $15,000 in grants

Lead exposure can put young children at risk for brain and nervous system damage and slowed development.

Contact us to see if you’re eligible for a health and safety grant from Hennepin County.

Jacara Warfield

Community Health Coordinator

Pillsbury United Communities

612-453-5186

North Market, 414 Humboldt AvenueN., Minneapolis

www.hennepin.us/leadcontrol

 

FREE Flu & Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic 2-18-25

Flu & Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic

Get vaccinated and save lives!

When: Tuesday, February 18, 2025 | 12pm – 4pm

Where: Pillsbury United Communities – Brian Coyle Center, Community Room 1 | 420 15th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55454

Flu Vaccines are available for anyone age 6 months and older.

Covid-19 Vaccines are available for anyone age 6 months and older.

Interpreters will be available.

Minneapolis Community Connections Conference

2025 Community Connections Conference

FREE EVENT

When: Saturday, February 8 at 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Where: Minneapolis Convention Center, First Floor, Hall E

1301 2nd Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404

Participation is Power!

Speak:

  • Get involved in City decisions 
  • Advise City leaders 

Act:

  • Vote
  • Join a board
  • Make change in your neighborhood 

Grow:

  • Jobs
  • Internships
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Renters’ rights
  • Immigration
  • Community safety
  • Environmental justice
  • Community resources
  • Food, music and dance

Get a FREE bus pass to the event: MinneapolisMN.gov/ccc

English 2025 Community Connections Conference

Spanish Community Connections Conference 2025

Somali Community Connections Conference 2025

Oromo Community Connections Conference 2025

Hmong Community Connections Conference 2025

Lao Community Connections Conference 2025

Youth Day at the Capitol (YDAC) with Pillsbury United Communities

Youth Day at the Capital 2025

Pillsbury United Communities is a sponsoring partner for 2025 Youth Day at the Capitol. 30 PUC high schoolers will attend civic engagement workshops and meet with their state representatives and senators about issues important to them.

Get ready for an unforgettable day at the Capitol, where you’ll have the chance to meet and interview government officials who help shape your communities. This is your opportunity to ask tough questions and dive deep into the issues that matter most to you. It’s not just a field trip—it’s a chance to make your voice heard and see how you can use your people skills to hold government accountable and make a difference. This day will be packed with valuable insights, inspiration, and an unforgettable experience that you can take with you into your future as an engaged citizen!

Who: Interns (KRSM, Food Systems, Teen Tech, North News), Cedar-Riverside Youth Council members, FANS Scholars

What: Learn how to become politically active around issues important to you and meet the State Representative for your community.

When: Tuesday, February 25. Depart from your location (Brian Coyle, Waite House, North Market and Oak Park) around 8am. Your youth leader will confirm the exact time. We will be riding in the agency vans and returning between 2:30-4:00. We are awaiting the confirmation times of afternoon meetings with our representatives and that will determine the time we leave.

Where: Minnesota State Capitol and Minnesota History Center

Northside Group + Van (Oak Park + North Market)

Lead Staff: Tirzah Sanchez Christopher (North News + FANS Scholars) and Beatriz Ruiz (Food Systems)

Phillips Group + Van (Waite House)

Lead Staff: Cristeta Boarini (KRSM) and Lillian Biolo Thompson (FANS Scholars)

Cedar-Riverside Group + Van (Brian Coyle)

Lead Staff: Fardowza Ali (Teen Tech + FANS)

Lunch provided. Jimmy John’s: pork-free and vegetarian options available, please notify your staff of dietary needs or preferences.

Free flu & COVID-19 vaccine clinic 1-17-25

Community members are encouraged to strengthen their defenses against illnesses this winter at this free flu & COVID-19 vaccine clinic, which is made possible through a partnership with PUC and M Health Fairview! The clinic occurs on Friday, January 17, from 12-4 pm at the Brian Coyle Center, 420 15th Ave. S, Minneapolis (Community Room 1).
Flu vaccines are available for anyone ages 6 months and older; COVID-19 vaccines are available for people aged 5 or older. Interpreters will be available.
This is a free vaccine clinic; no incentives or gift cards will be provided. For more info, contact Fowzia at 612-302-3438 or Aliazar at 612-876-9326.

FANS Scholars visit the Bell Museum

On Wednesday, November 20, over 30 FANS scholars visited the Bell Museum to learn about careers in biology, museum science, astronomy, paleontology, and art.
Pillsbury United Communities has sponsored FANS (Furthering Achievement through a Network of Support), a free college, career, and life preparatory program for high school students for over 30 years.
Click on the photos below to see more highlights from the trip.

FANS Scholars attend Duluth college tour

Ten FANS Scholars from the Brian Coyle Center and Waite House recently attended a Duluth college tour over MEA. The students also visited the College of St. Scholastica and UMD.

Pillsbury United Communities has sponsored FANS ((Furthering Achievement through a Network of Support), a free college, career, and life preparatory program for high school students for over 30 years. Students who have completed the FANS Scholars program can receive a small scholarship to assist with college expenses and have their FANS Advocate support them through college graduation. Since its inception, FANS Scholars have received over $1,000,000 in scholarships to assist with college expenses.

Click on the photos below to see more highlights from the trip.

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