3 minute read
JUDGE’S NOTE
Earlier this summer, a handful of judges were given some heavy reading — literally. A fat stack of nominations for the News Tribune’s annual 20 Under 40 Awards, which recognize the community's young do-gooders.
For every nominee, someone went to the trouble to collect information, fill out a form, make a case, hit submit. Whittling the picks to 20 is never an easy task. As judges — a group that included News Tribune business reporter Brooks Johnson, 2015 award-winner Katie Erickson, and 2016 award winners Garner Moffat and Princess Kisob — we look for big ideas brought to fruition and people who have traded free time for the greater good. We also look for anecdotal evidence of awesomeness.
We scribble notes, we throw paper, we make impassioned pleas
When Moffat explained that Chani Ninneman of Wise Fool Theater provides free copies of books to young theatergoers, we all nodded and added her to the "yes, definitely" pile.
This year's winners include people like Abigail Mlinar, who woke up on a No- the growth of the city.
I’m open to new opportunities for me to give back to and serve the community.
Where do you see the Twin Ports in the next five to 10 years? As a place with opportunities for people of any background, with living wages being offered in all industries and sectors. If we work together as a community, we can make this happen. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
“Twin Ports by Trolley: The Streetcar Era in Duluth-Superior,” by Aaron Isaacs. It was fun to learn more about the early days of public transportation in Duluth.
Social media: @margienelson on Twitter vember morning with an idea to start a group to empower women. Boom: Feminist Action Collective was born; Laura Mullen, who is the point-person for the hyper-engaged Bent Paddle Brewing; and Joe Wicklund, on staff at Marshall School and in the field coaching young athletes. Do this judging job long enough and you start to get tunnel vision: You walk into any room and immediately look for the young person who made the event happen by simply wondering "hey, what if ..."
What do youactually do? Idofreelance marketingfor various Northlandclients. I’m co-producinga firsttime festival forfeminist empowerment, and Ifounded andfacilitate afeminist nonprofit, ForEventsand MarketingNeeds(FEMN).
Yearsinyourjob: One Education: Bachelor’s degreeinmarketing from theUniversityof MinnesotaDuluth.
Family: Ihavethe best people around me —a family,for sure —but no spouse or kids of my own.
Community involvement: In addition to my job-likecommunity involvement, I’malso involved in Community Development Commissionwiththe city of Duluth, Leadership Councilfor Fuse Duluthwiththe Duluth
Chamber of Commerce, co-managinga school boardat-large campaign,executive boardfor theDuluth DFL, AmericanAssociationofUniversity
Womenmember, Girl Powervolunteer,and Feminist Action Collective committeesand campaigns.
Native of the area? No What drew youhere?
The city!I did go to UMD, but Ichose it becauseI wanted to liv in Duluth—the charm thelake, theambiance chosethishome. Again andagain. Imoved away acoupletimes fo work andfor experience,and came back fo thesamereasons
Favorite placeinthe Northland: Park Point
The longest freshwater peninsula —perfect sand andshoreline— it nevergets old. This is whereIgowhenI getbacktotownafter beingaway, andwhere IgowhenI have stray thoughts of moving. Howdoyou spend your free time? With my people.Gofor hikes/walksand enjoy thenaturalworld of Duluth. Take trips, enjoymusic andrefine my library. Dance"like no one’swatching" in my apartment.
Howcan the Northland retain younger people? Furthering ou reputation of progressive values, strengthen ingour arts communit encouraging business developmentand gettingmorepress youngpeoplelike hip(read: instagramable) places Influentialperson in your life: I have so many influencers androle models,but themostinspiringpeopleofmy last year are my Feminist Action Collective team members. These women weren't apart of my lifebefore Nov. 9, 2016, and Iowe them so much now. What is your biggest accomplishment? Accomplishment, forme, is strange. The momentsof my lifethatI'm most proud of are things Inever had expectedwould happen —things I "accomplish," but neverthelessfeel like accidents. A fewofthese are: thecreationofthe Feminist Action Collective,when Tall ShipsDuluth wasfeaturedin Snapchat's news, making my favorite musician laugh,
DonNessgivingme ahighfive at Homegrown, beingonthe Take It With Youpodcast,surviving akayak flipinrapids, climbing avolcano through mudand getting thehighest honor at my high school’s dance team camp. Three people– dead or alive– you’d like to have dinnerwith: Prince,Hillary Clinton, my mom.
Five-year goals: Help greatwomen get elected.Makethe Twin Portseven more gender equitable. Always feel like I'm growing.
Wheredo you seethe Twin Portsinthe next five to 10 years?
Living up to it's history of nationally renowned feminist achievement.
Continuing to flourish through maintaininginvest- ment in public Attracting eve youngprofessi via growingth sector.Being leader in home prevention by to improveou market.
What’s the bes you’ve read re Embarrassingl just read “We S AllBeFeminis Chimamanda zi Adichie.For whodon't kno book, I'm emb becausesince publishedin2 eryone in the f community du a"must-read," believedto be didn't actinan priately prom ion. These cla 100 percenta It’s seriouslyt explanationof I'vereadinaw it's extremely s There’s no excu wait threeyear yousee it in pe Now, I'vere-re fewtimes, and re-readanythi to memorize it more easily res everycurious (orhopeful fem denier) Iencou Social media: abmlionInsta Twitter c arts. nmore ionals heprivate a national elessness persisting rhousing stbook ecently? ly, Ionly Should sts”by Ngor folks owthis barrassed it was 014, evfeminist ubbed it whichI true,but n approptfashims were ccurate. hebest f thecause while.And short. use to rsonce erson. ead it a d Inever ing.Iwant t so Ican spond to feminist minist unter @femn_ agram and
Whatdoyou actually do? Ihandleall formsof affirmative anddefensive civillitigationfor thecity; representcity planning, buildingand developmentstaff; serve as lead counseltothe DuluthCityPlanning Commission; advise our city energy coordinator; andhelpcityadministration, department headsand councilors achieve specific public goalsand objectives
Years in your job: Practicedlaw for10years fivewiththe city,four withDuluthlaw firm Hanft Fride,and ayear as clerkfor JudgeDavid Mingeatthe Minnesota CourtofAppeals.
Education: Bachelor’s degreeinEnglish from theUniversityofMinnesota,Morrisand my juris doctor from the UniversityofMinnesota LawSchool.
Family: Wife,Nora Sandstad,who is far more deservingofthis recognition,bythe way; andsons, Henry, 6, and Charlie,4.
Community involvement: Assistantprofessor,Departmentof
