Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA, a leading nonprofit dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will partner with LeadMN and the Humphrey School Center for the Study of Politics to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Minnesota ratifying the 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. Minnesota was the first state to ratify the amendment after its passage through Congress.

The celebration will include an overview of the efforts to pass the 26th Amendment, which was led by a coalition that included the YMCA, the National Education Association, the AFL-CIO and the NAACP. The celebration will also include a panel on youth political engagement and the opportunity to talk in small groups about ways to cultivate a culture of civic engagement in each generation.

“Minnesota has a long, proud history of civic leadership so it’s not surprising that we led the way in ratifying the 26th amendment, extending the right to vote to millions of young Americans and giving them a voice to help shape our country,” said Amy Anderson, executive director for the YMCA Center for Youth Voice.  “Young adults have been and continue to be a driving force for change in our nation and it’s critical that we continue to seek ways to cultivate a culture of civic engagement in each generation.”

To register for the event and more information, visit www.leadmn.org/26th-amendment-celebration.

WHO: YMCA Center for Youth Voice, LeadMN and the Center for the Study of Politics

WHAT: Celebrating 50 Years of Youth Voting and Political Engagement

WHEN: Tuesday, March 23 from 6-7:30 p.m. via ZOOM

About the YMCA of the North

The YMCA of the North is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.  Established 165 years ago, the Ys provide life-strengthening services across the greater Twin Cities metro region, southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities. The 29 Y locations and program sites, eight overnight camps, 10 day camps, and more than 90 child care sites engage more than 370,000 men, women and children of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. To learn more about the Y’s mission and work, visit www.ymcanorth.org.