Eureka Participants Visit Brooklyn Center, Meet Women in Government

In an engaging and inspiring event in July, 50 youth from the Girls Inc. Eureka! program explored STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers in city government through tours and discussions with influential women in Brooklyn Center.

City Mayor April Graves was the first Black woman elected to serve on the City Council in 2014. She welcomed the opportunity to share her experience with participants. 

“Women make the best leaders,” Graves said. “I think that many times, we women underestimate ourselves and our ability to lead. This is a mistake. Women can multitask and have the compassion to understand people’s problems.”

This event educated the girls about STEM careers and encouraged them to envision themselves as future community leaders.

City Facility Tours

Participants toured the Public Works facility, the Water Treatment Plant and City Council Chambers as part of the event.

Public Works Tour

Deputy Director of Public Works Mike Marsh led a tour of the Public Works facility. Marsh has worked for the department for 30 years, including eight years as the deputy director.

Marsh explained the broad range of public services provided by Public Works, including:

• repairing and plowing streets

• utilities, including water treatment and storm maintenance

• engineering

• maintenance garage for fire trucks, plows and other vehicles

During the tour, Marsh explained what each type of vehicle does and how the city customizes the fleet and vehicles’ life cycles. Participants asked probing questions about vehicle costs, what type of licenses are required and how public works departments function in other cities and counties.

In addition, Marsh explained how the city makes and replaces signs, why the city makes brine and brine’s role in supplementing salt during the winter.

Water Treatment Plant Tour

Participants visited the city's water treatment plant in the other tour phase. Public Utilities Supervisor Michael Weber led the tour and explained how water flows through the $20-million facility to fill the city’s water towers.

Weber explained how the water filters worked and the color coding for different pipes in the facility. He explained how staff operate the facility, showed the control console and explained the semi-automated processes that run the plant.

City Council Chambers

After splitting into two groups for the facility tours, participants reunited to tour the City Council Chambers. Butler explained how Council meetings work, including members’ roles, seating assignments and how the Council interacts with constituents.

Participants asked several questions in this phase, including what level of education was required to serve and if members of the public had ever tried to harm Council members physically. Butler explained that being a Council member is a part-time job and some service requirements.

Panel Discussion

After the tours, participants had lunch during a panel discussion. Several elected and city officials participated, including:

• Lydia Ener, principal engineer at Brooklyn Center

• Cynthia Majors, administrative assistant to the Public Works Dept.

• Shelley Marsh, engineering technician IV

• April Graves, Mayor

• Teneshia Kragness, Council member

• Marquita Butler, Council member 

YWCA Minneapolis Girls and Youth Operations Director Marquita Butler helped organize the event. In addition to her role with YWCA, Butler is currently serving her second term on the City Council for the City of Brooklyn Center.

Butler grew up in the city and returned as an adult. After buying a house, she started participating in community events and was the second Black woman elected to the City Council.

“Brooklyn Center is a very diverse city, and I noticed none of the elected officials looked like me,” Butler said. “I often felt dismissed when I asked questions. It’s amazing to share this event with Girls Inc. Eureka! participants and show them how elected officials work with city staff. Hopefully, it sparks an interest in working in public works or urban planning.”

What is the Girls Inc. Eureka! Program?

Girls Inc. Eureka! is a five-year summer and school-year program for girls interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.

In partnership with the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota, the Eureka! program builds sisterhood with girls from all over the Twin Cities. It explores their career interests and dreams while supporting them through high school graduation and preparing them for the next steps in their post-secondary education.

For more information on Girls Inc. Eureka! and how to participate, contact Girls Inc. by email or at 612-215-4369.

Support Girls and Youth Programming

As this next generation of female leaders continues to grow through programs like Girls Inc. Eureka!, they need your support. YWCA Minneapolis is committed to providing these young women with the opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise get, and by partnering with us, you can donate the resources that make these programs possible.

If you’re able, please consider making a donation to support these young women. Every dollar matters in this mission to eliminate racism, empower women and girls, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.