Next generation leaders: Young women reshaping politics, art, and activism in Minnesota

Maitreya Reeder

As a senior at St. Anthony Village High School, Maitreya Reeder is already involved in policymaking. Growing up in Minneapolis, she witnessed political turmoil following the murder of George Floyd, the moment she began to see politics as a solution.

“I started having this recognition that the problems I heard about on the news … were moving to my hometown, and they were less political problems and more personal problems.”

It wasn’t until high school that she recognized the voice she could have in creating solutions. Reeder now serves as executive director of the Youth Voter Project, Minnesota Youth Secretary of State, and works with organizations like Catalyst for Systems Change. Her work focuses on racial equity and overdose awareness, issues she encountered personally as a child.

“I met a lot of other youth that were very much like me … they wanted to do something about the real problems that they saw in the world, and they weren’t content just participating in model government programs.”

Among her accomplishments is helping pass a bill through the House and Senate requiring overdose recognition, prevention, and response training in middle and high school health curricula.

Reeder credits a strong circle of young women, including poets and artists, along with mentors in legislative spaces who support her.

“It’s the learned confidence to assert that I belong there, because if I believe I belong there, then other people will believe it as well.”

She said her generation increasingly sees political involvement as non-negotiable. After high school, she plans to study political science and pursue a legislative career.

“I really can’t imagine doing anything else with my life … I consider myself very lucky to have found my central purpose very early on.”

Ankita Kumar

Ankita Kumar’s passion for policy and activism stems from her experience as a first-generation immigrant. After moving from India, she helped her parents learn U.S. history and politics as they pursued citizenship.

“This is where I first realized the civic literacy gap among marginalized communities and knew it would be my lifelong passion to bridge that gap.”

The 18-year-old Wayzata High School student is involved in Model UN, Youth in Government, the Youth Voter Project, and her own initiative, School Board Spotlight.

Through her work, Kumar has focused on youth voter turnout, designing materials, pre-registering students, and mobilizing more than 20 peers to attend school board meetings, advocate for student representation, and interview candidates in the 2025 Wayzata school board election.

“Young women are often not considered the ‘face’ of politics,” Kumar said. “Many girls grow up thinking politics isn’t a space where they can be heard. We need more young women involved to show that their voices are valued and that they can become policymakers.”

She added that her generation faces growing apathy fueled by misinformation, but has responded creatively.

“Gen Z has gotten creative … relying on artistic expression as a means of political action.”

Though supported by teachers and friends, Kumar said she sometimes feels small in decision-making spaces that are predominantly male and white. She plans to expand School Board Spotlight and pursue a law degree.

María Isa Pérez-Vega

State Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega has built a career that blends policymaking, activism, and art.

“[Women are] leading movements everywhere … We are leading as mothers, as community organizers, as elected officials,” she said.

Her work spans immigrant rights, BIPOC communities, climate justice, and broader policy issues. As an artist, Pérez-Vega said her mission is to tell stories shaped by her upbringing as the daughter of Puerto Rican parents.

“To be in these spaces, as a woman of color, we’ve always had to fight to be there,” she said. “Being able to make noise … to paint our pictures, those are opportunities for our communities to be seen, heard, and fought for.”

She encourages young women to use their voices and study the history of women of color.

“I believe in us … and our moment is right now more than ever.”

Athena Hollins & Esther Agbaje

For many women, entering political spaces comes with challenges.

When State Rep. Athena Hollins first ran for office in 2020, she was told she was too young and should “wait her turn,”  despite being the same age as her male opponent when he first ran.

“It was just one of those things where there’s a double standard,” she said.

She also faced criticism about her appearance and how she spoke. For a time, she tried to conform, but found it exhausting.

“When I went back to just being me, it made the entire process so much easier.”

Hollins said young women are often scrutinized for everything from their voices to their presentation, but authenticity and persistence can push back against those expectations.

State Rep. Esther Agbaje, the first Nigerian legislator in Minnesota, said listening to other women inspired her early involvement.

“I hope that other young women … will be inspired to say that thing they’ve been thinking about … and just go ahead and do it,” she said. “They’ll find that they will gather supporters.”

Both leaders emphasized that inspiration flows both ways.

Hollins said she finds the work of younger women especially powerful.

“They are so unapologetically fierce … standing up for communities that have previously never had a voice,” she said.

She believes this generation is building on past movements with even greater strength.

“When we stand together and support each other … there’s nothing we can’t do.”

As a parent, Hollins said one message is critical.

“It’s important to figure out where your values are,” she said. “Because then nobody can hurt you, you believe in yourself, and you know it’s true.”

Damenica Ellis welcomes reader responses at dellis@spokesman-recorder.com.