"I decided I can do something with a bigger impact."

Sonya Emerick was elected to the Minneapolis School Board. Her reason for running:

I had two choices: to move into litigation with the district or to try to move where I had access to influence systems-level problems and barriers. I chose the latter. When you litigate in special education, it’s a significant amount of time and financial resources. It’s very, very draining on a family emotionally. Even if you get the best possible outcome, it still begins and ends with one kid, typically. I decided I can do something with a bigger impact. That’s why I decided to run.

Sonya, a trans-woman, is the first autistic person elected to the board.