Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Alison Beale, Tennessee House of Representatives, District 45

One such candidate is Alison Beale (she/her/hers), a millennial mom who was motivated to run because of a law passed by the Tennessee legislature and signed by the governor that went into effect on July 1, 2021, allowing citizens to openly or concealed carry handguns without a permit. This has led to a rise in mass shootings in Tennessee, including one at an elementary school in March 2023. But Alison has been a gun control advocate since before this law was passed. A former teacher, Alison taught a student who was the younger sibling of a victim of a mass shooting at a Nashville Waffle House in 2018, subsequently getting involved with a foundation named for this young man.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Lexi Melton, Tennessee House of Representatives, District 35

In 2024, we have a large number of young people running for office to challenge the status quo upheld by older, long-entrenched representatives at all levels of government. Today we are highlighting one such person. Lexi Melton (she/her/hers), is a millennial wife and mom of two. In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lexi decided to go back to school to finish her degree and graduated with an A.A.S. degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology from Chattanooga State Community College! Lexi fiercely advocates for strong public schools and women’s rights, and believes in gun safety and equitable healthcare, especially in rural areas.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Yasmin Trudeau, Washington State Senate, District 27

Yasmin Trudeau (she/her) is a millennial attorney who currently serves as a Washington State Senator. A Bengali-American, Yas is the first Muslim to serve in the Washington state legislature. After spending much of her childhood in poverty, including being homeless during her teens, she was motivated to make a difference for people whose experiences were like hers. After a stint working as a Legislative Assistant to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, the current chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, Yas entered politics in her home state of Washington, where she focuses on issues like housing justice and equitable housing development, corporate responsibility and accountability, and continuing to provide the kind of resources for young people that she benefitted from in her youth to put her on the path to success.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Kyra deGruy Kennedy, Colorado House of Representatives, District 30

Today we are profiling Kyra deGruy Kennedy (she/hers), a bisexual millennial community organizer, running for the Colorado House of Representatives. Kyra currently works as a business and political consultant, advising a wide range of organizations. As a former healthcare worker, Kyra has influenced a number of legislative efforts in Colorado pertaining to healthcare, and is most passionate about enacting single-payer healthcare, ensuring that healthcare be treated as a basic human right and not a system that profits off the ill health of patients, including mental health, reproductive health (including legalized abortion), and lower prescription drug costs. Kyra also supports transitioning away from fossil fuels (including in vehicles), reducing access to firearms, and protecting labor, worker, immigrant, tenant, and democratic rights.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Ysabel Jurado, Los Angeles City Council, District 14

Today we are continuing our profiles of candidates across the country who want to bring progressive change to America at all levels of government! Ysabel Jurado (she/hers) is an eviction defense attorney and affordable housing activist running for LA City Council. A daughter of undocumented Filipino immigrants, she became a mother as a teenager and later she put herself through UCLA for both undergraduate and law school. Her work as a tenants rights attorney focused on building pathways to home ownership for communities of color, the preservation of open space, and reparative justice. This millennial single mom identifies as Queer and is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Her platform focuses on expanding affordable housing, ending homelessness, supporting small businesses, tackling the climate crisis, and building a more just economy for all.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Mandi Remington, Board of Supervisors for Johnson County, Iowa

Mandi Remington (she/her) is a queer millennial political activist running for a position on the County Board of Supervisors in Johnson County, Iowa. A single mother of three, including a trans child, Mandi is a lower middle-income wage earner. She is most passionate about advancing platforms that prioritize equity for disadvantaged socioeconomic groups. Mandi recently lost an election in 2023 for a position on the Iowa City Council but is running again on a platform of abortion rights, as well as affordable housing, childcare, food, and transportation.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2022 - Katie Darling, Louisiana's 1st Congressional District

This week we are profiling Katie Darling (she/her/hers). Katie is a millennial executive in Covington, Louisiana who works in education technology, with previous experience in the hospitality industry. When the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade this past June, Katie was seven months pregnant and suddenly inspired to run for Congress. She recently made waves when her campaign released a campaign commercial that incorporates footage from the delivery of her son Ollie on September 14, 2022. Katie is passionate about reproductive freedom, expanded and improved education, and better hurricane preparedness.

Zarna Garg is Whipping Up Some Laughs

Comedian Zarna Garg, affectionally known as ‘Auntie Z,’ is a TikTok sensation. Encouraged by her son, Zarna downloaded TikTok early in the pandemic and uploaded some of her jokes to the platform. Within the first week, her jokes had garnered 3 million views. Before TikTok fame and stand-up, Zarna had passed the bar and became a lawyer before trying her hand in comedy. She encourages everyone, especially young Indians, to veer off the beaten path and try comedy, if that is where their heart is. Zarna also currently helps out with Comedy Cures and fundraises for Children's Hope India. Both are organizations near and dear to her heart where she can share her comedy to help out those in need. Continue reading our interview with Zarna Garg to learn (and laugh) some more!

Cerina Vincent: Super Mom on a Mission

If you have watched the childhood classic, Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, you will know Cerina Vincent! She was none other than the yellow ranger, Maya. Besides the well-known Sci-Fi series, the actress acted in Disney Channel’s “Stuck In The Middle” and indie film “Killing Eleanor.” Most recently, she has transformed from a superhero to a super mom on a mission. Like Maya’s wild spirit and ability to understand people and everything around her, she launched a podcast series on parenthood — Raising Amazing — with her Pediatrician, Dr. Gator, which garnered over five thousand downloads in the first 24 hours! She did not stop there —she also supports two nonprofit organizations. Take a journey with Jejune to learn more about Cerina’s story as a super mom, working for decades in Hollywood, Parenting during a Pandemic, and more!

Women's Health & Sustainability? Hello Nyssa!

I maybe a little ways off from having a child, but I’m 100% woman, and I know the struggles and pain of having a period. So, I was very curious to learn more when I found out about the women owned and run postpartum comfort underwear business Nyssa, who also helps with period pain. Like many women, I experience pretty severe pain for a few days a month. I have learned a few ways to manage it: work out more and wear period underwear, but the pain still comes. So, this month I got the pleasure to experiment with Nyssa’s underwear. I tried their Nyssa VieWear Underwear, which comes with an ice/heat pack and a pocket built into the underwear for it! While you still have to find a way to deal with the period itself, I have to say walking around with a heat pack on my back, certainly made me a lot happier this month. Also, as an added bonus, these are great for athletes who are prone to hurting themselves.. I may or may not know a little something about that. To learn more about this super empowering company, please read our exclusive interview below.

Christi Lukasiak: Love And The Business of Motherhood

Christi Lukasiak of “Dance Moms” promptly garnered attention due to her sharp, comedic sensibilities on the hit series. Over the span of seven seasons, her intriguing familial interactions have garnered over two million followers on Instagram alone. Having progressed beyond reality television, Christi now shares glimpses of her daily life to her fans. Whether it be business, favorites, or the everyday aspects of motherhood, her posts accumulate a massive amount of views.

In addition, Christi is a member of YourMomCares – an initiative of celebrity and influencer moms banding together with other moms across America to focus on ensuring all children have access to the resources needed to be mentally well, including receiving diagnoses, treatments, services and activities which serve their needs. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Christi Lukasiak.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 25Jejune ContributorAugust 19, 2020#influencer, mental health, motherhood, health, #healh, #health, dance, Dance, celebrity, childrenComment

COVER: Daniella Monet Helps The World Be Cruelty-Free

In a time when the world can seem so cruel, Daniella Monet is bringing in life in more ways than one! This talented actress and singer isn’t letting motherhood slow her down when it comes to helping save the planet and animals. As a passionate vegan and animal rights activist since the age of five, she is not only a huge voice for the movement, but she will help you get there with her three vegan business ventures! To learn more, please read Jejune’s exclusive interview here.