KAREN CLARK
Raised on a farm, Karen Clark chose a career path that led her into public service. First, she became a nurse. Later, she got a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard. She’s taught at several colleges—currently, the University of St. Catherine in the Graduate School of Holistic Health—and serves as Executive Director of the Women’s Environmental Institute. In 1980 Clark was elected to the Minnesota State Legislature, where she still holds office. She’s now the longest-serving openly LGBTQ elected official in the U.S. Known for her cutting-edge legislative proposals, effective grassroots coalition building and neighborhood priorities, Clark’s motivation comes from “assisting my constituents to gain real access, voice and growing power to speak to some of the powerful forces that impact their/our lives—social and economic at the state government level, and to play a part in their growing expectations for just change and accountability.” She’s successfully authored legislation to advance worker’s rights, women’s rights, environmental justice, immigrant rights, gender anti-violence protections, racial justice, and LGBTQ rights—including basic civil rights protections and marriage equality in Minnesota. –SLO
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