Writers for
Democratic Action
Minnesota

The MINNESOTA chapter of WDA is a collaboration of writers, readers, editors, and booksellers standing together to champion democracy everywhere and to support the institutions that embody and protect it.

We are committed to defending fundamental civil liberties. Our stories are important. Our voices have the right to be heard on the streets, in the halls of government, at the voter booth, with accurate portrayal and reportage.

We battle censorship in all its guises. A nation can only be strong if it invites a multitude of perspectives into its decision-making process, educates its citizens, and treats the least of them as equal in value to its most powerful.

As writers we are committed to:

• Independent journalism free of influence by the government or corporations
• The liberty to write and read without undue restriction
• The right to access educational material that empowers and enriches Minnesotans
• Actively opposing censorship that restricts access to books, limits freedom of expression in writing, and impedes academic freedom
• Building a strong community that embraces an open exchange of diverse perspectives, the robust education of its citizenry, and the equitable treatment of all
• Ensuring that all Minnesotans, including those in marginalized communities, have unfettered access to literature and knowledge, providing the tools to critically engage with the full spectrum of human thought and expression, and preventing anyone from being left behind in the face of censorship efforts

Our Mission

The mission of Writers for Democratic Action-Minnesota Chapter is to encourage writing and writers, in word and deed, to contribute to preserving the United States of America as a democracy. WDA-Minnesota works to do this through:

• Building a network of writers who want to contribute their talents to support our mission
• Offering a website forum to share information and inspire greater understanding and response by Minnesota writers to current dangers facing democracy
• Publishing strong and inspiring work by Minnesota writers related to current anti-democratic events
• Encouraging writers’ participation in pro-democracy, anti-authoritarian events sponsored by various groups and organizations

Steering Committee

The WDA chapter in Minnesota was initiated in May 2025. Our steering committee currently includes:

• Margaret Hasse
• Diane Jarvenpa
• Athena Kildegaard
• Kathy McTavish
• Carter Meland
• Sheila Packa
• Leslie Thomas
• Cole Williams