Happy Black History Month! We’re honoring the trailblazing Black women of the Minnesota Legislature who are making change every day in elected office by advocating for their communities and a better Minnesota for all of us. Here are a few of the change-making women who are paving the way for future generations:

Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley

In November 2025, Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley made history when she became the first Kenyan immigrant to win a state assembly seat anywhere in the United States. 

Hiltsley’s first major leadership role in Minnesota was serving as the president of Mwanyagetinge, Minnesota’s largest organization of Kenyans. Now, as a legislator, she promises to work towards building a Minnesota with high-quality education, affordable housing, and accessible health care for all.

She represents Minnesota House District 38A in the legislature.

Erin Maye Quade

Senator Erin Maye Quade made history in 2022 as one of three first Black women to serve in the Minnesota Senate and the first out lesbian. A lifelong advocate for reproductive justice, families, and students, she founded the Childhood Hunger Caucus and has been a leading voice for workers’ protection and LGBTQ+ rights in the Senate. 

She has been outspoken in her work to hold the Trump administration and Minnesota Republicans accountable for their extreme agenda. Recently, she condemned Trump for his attack on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies and introduced a bill in the Minnesota Senate to increase work opportunities for people with disabilities. 

Clare Oumou Verbeten 

Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten is one of the first three Black women elected to the Minnesota State Senate.

A lifelong advocate for racial equity, she previously worked as the Equity and Inclusion Program Manager for the City of Saint Paul and as an organizer focused on electing women of color to office. In the Senate, she played a key role in passing the CROWN Act, which prohibits race-based hair discrimination in schools and workplaces. Her legislative priorities also include affordable housing, education, workers’ rights, and advancing racial and gender equity. 

Zaynab Mohamed 

Senator Zaynab Mohamed made history as one of the first Black women elected to the Minnesota State Senate, representing District 63. At 25, she was also the youngest woman ever elected to the Minnesota Legislature. 

In 2024, for the first time in Minnesota history, she was one of two Black women of African heritage – one Nigerian, one Somali – to co-chair a conference committee, where she tackled issues like housing justice for Minnesotans across the state. 

A champion for immigrant rights, she was the chief author of the historic “Driver’s Licenses for All” legislation, which restored access to driver’s licenses for undocumented Minnesotans. Her legislative priorities include labor rights, health care access, education, housing, environmental justice, and criminal justice reform.

Esther Agbaje 

Representative Esther Agbaje has served Minnesota’s House District 59B since 2021. As an attorney and former U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Officer, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role. As co-chair of the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus and Vice Chair of the Housing Finance and Policy Committee, Rep. Agbaje has been instrumental in advancing significant legislation for Minnesotans. 

When reflecting on her role in lawmaking, Representative Agbaje said it best about the importance of representation not just in today’s politics but for politics to come: 

We stand on the shoulders of giants – phenomenal Black women who paved the way. But today, we’re not just following their path, we’re widening it for generations to come. This is Minnesota’s future, a vibrant reflection of the diversity that defines our communities.

Join us in the fight to build a better Minnesota

We can’t wait to see how Black progressive leadership at the capitol will continue to work together to invest in our communities and build a better Minnesota.

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