Andrea Jenkins facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andrea Jenkins
President of the Minneapolis City Council
In office January 10, 2022 – January 8, 2024
Preceded by	Lisa Bender
Succeeded by	Elliott Payne
Vice President of the Minneapolis City Council
In office January 6, 2018 – January 10, 2022
Preceded by	Elizabeth Glidden
Succeeded by	Linea Palmisano
Member of the Minneapolis City Council from the 8th Ward
Incumbent
Assumed office January 6, 2018
Preceded by	Elizabeth Glidden
Personal details
Born	(1961-05-10) May 10, 1961 (age 64) Chicago, Illinois
Political party	Democratic (DFL)
Education	University of Minnesota Metropolitan State University (BA) Hamline University (MFA) Southern New Hampshire University (MS)

Andrea Jenkins (born May 10, 1961) is an American politician, writer, and artist. She is also a transgender activist. She made history as the first Black openly transgender woman elected to public office in the United States. She has served on the Minneapolis City Council since January 2018. From January 2022 to January 2024, she was the council's president.

Jenkins moved to Minnesota in 1979 to attend the University of Minnesota. She worked for the Hennepin County government for ten years. Later, she worked for the Minneapolis City Council for 12 years. She also became a curator for the Transgender Oral History Project at the University of Minnesota.

Growing Up and Learning

Andrea Jenkins' Early Life

Andrea Jenkins was born in 1961 in North Lawndale, Chicago. She grew up in a working-class neighborhood. Her mother, Shirley Green, raised her and made sure she got a good education.

When she was younger, she was part of the Cub Scouts. She also played football at Robert Lindblom Math & Science Academy. In 1979, she moved to Minneapolis to go to the University of Minnesota.

Her College Journey

At age 30, Andrea began to live as a woman. She went back to college to finish her education. She earned a bachelor's degree from Metropolitan State University. After that, she earned two master's degrees.

• An MFA in creative writing from Hamline University.
• An MS in community economic development from Southern New Hampshire University.

While studying, Jenkins worked as a counselor for Hennepin County. In 2018, she completed a special program at Harvard University. This program was for leaders in state and local government.

Her Work and Public Service

Working in Local Government

Andrea Jenkins worked for Hennepin County for ten years. She was a vocational counselor. In 2001, Robert Lilligren asked her to join his campaign for the Minneapolis City Council. After he won, Jenkins became his main assistant for four years.

In 2005, Elizabeth Glidden was elected to the City Council. She hired Jenkins as an aide. Jenkins had many connections from her previous work. While working for Glidden, Jenkins focused on transgender issues. She helped create the Transgender Issues Work Group in 2014. That year, she organized a meeting for the City Council. It focused on fairness for transgender people in Minnesota.

In 2015, after 12 years with the City Council, Jenkins started a new job. She became a curator at the University of Minnesota. This was for the Jean-Nickolaus Tretter Collection in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Studies. Her job was to collect stories for the Transgender Oral History Project (TOHP). She planned to record up to 300 interviews.

Serving on the Minneapolis City Council

In December 2016, Jenkins announced she would run for the Minneapolis City Council. She wanted to represent the 8th Ward. The current council member, Elizabeth Glidden, decided not to run again. Jenkins' campaign motto was "Leadership. Access. Equity."

She also helped start Trans United Fund. This group helps transgender people who are running for office. On November 7, 2017, Jenkins won the election. She received over 70% of the votes. She was one of only a few Black members on the Minneapolis City Council. Soon after her election, her fellow council members chose her as Vice President. She also led the new Race Equity Subcommittee. This group helps make things fair for everyone in the city.

In November 2021, Jenkins was reelected to the City Council. On January 10, 2022, she was chosen as City Council President. All council members voted for her.

Being Recognized

In 2010, Andrea Jenkins received a grant from the Jerome Foundation. This was for her work in performance art.

On January 29, 2018, Jenkins was featured on the cover of Time magazine. The article was about many women who ran for public office in 2017 and 2018.

Her Life Outside Work

Andrea Jenkins is a performance artist, poet, and writer. She is also a grandmother. Her mother lives in the same area she represents. She has a partner of eight years.

She has been involved in the Trans Lives Matter movement. She also led the board of Intermedia Arts. Jenkins has said that leaders like Barack Obama and Jesse Jackson inspired her to get involved in politics.