MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx today announced the inaugural Women’s Spotlight Event, which will take place on Thursday, April 27 at Summit Brewing Company. The Lynx, alongside St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, will celebrate the achievements of women in Minnesota and honor the bold actions of individuals and organizations within the community who are leaders of change for accelerating gender equality.
Lynx color analyst Lea B. Olsen of Fox Sports North will emcee Thursday’s event, while Mayor Coleman and Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve will be keynote speakers. Mayor Coleman and Reeve will speak on the importance of powerful, strong women in the community and workplace and how everyone can all work together to accelerate gender equality. Along with celebrating the achievements of all Minnesota women, the Lynx will honor four individuals who have been leaders of change for accelerating gender equality in their specific fields.
The Minnesota Lynx will honor these four individuals:
Education/Arts: Whitney McKinley is an Assistant Principal at Hiawatha College Prep and was named as a 2016 semifinalist for Teacher of the Year. McKinley has taught math, science and English as a second language, but her passion is in inspiring students through art. Through the years, McKinley’s students have learned about social topics and explored how art can solve a local, national or global problem that they care about.
Sports: Rebekkah Brunson is a four-time WNBA champion and a forward for the Minnesota Lynx. Brunson spent her offseason in Minnesota for the first time, taking part in various community events and making a positive impact on Minnesota youth. Brunson’s offseason highlights include hosting numerous basketball clinics, a surprise appearance at the science museum to celebrate National Girls and Women’s in Sports Day and teaming up with Timberwolves guard Kris Dunn to launch the inaugural Black History Month essay contest.
Business: Nikki Time is the owner of MPLS Tattoo Shop, which was named a 2017 “Best of the Twin Cites” by City Pages award. Time and her all-female staff are breaking the mold of an industry that is dominated by males; men make up 67 to 70 percent of tattoo artists in Minnesota, according to the most recent state health department data on licenses. The entrepreneur opened her shop in 2013 because she wanted to open a shop unlike any of the tattoo shops in the area and build a positive environment for people to go.
Community: Laura Fixsen is the Vice President of Development for MATTER, which is a nonprofit organization on a mission to expand access to health, next door and around the world. Fixsen joined MATTER in 2014, having previously volunteered in roles such as Term Mission Team Leader, International Sports Initiative Lead Advocate and Booster Board President. She has an intense passion to volunteer and give back and has made a positive impact around the globe, providing life-saving resources into the hands of people that benefit, specifically people living in scarcity.