Community Endorsements
I’m coming into this race with no name recognition, so generous people in the community are sharing their experience here.
Have we worked together? If you feel moved to vouch for me, I invite you to contribute your name and/or quote here.
Amy Stedman, Chair of DFL Senate District 47
My name is Amy Stedman, and I serve as Chair of DFL Senate District 47. Though I live outside Minneapolis, I am writing as a friend, an educator, an advocate and a former colleague of Molly Chase — someone I have known for over 15 years and trust completely.
I believe she is ready for this work and the Minneapolis School Board is exactly the right place for her.
I witnessed first-hand Molly’s dedication. From 2011 to 2018, she served in an unpaid, part-time leadership role for an artist-led startup theater, all while working full time. In seven years, she helped grow that organization's annual budget from $100,000 to over $660,000 — not by cutting corners, but by doing the slow, methodical work of community building, strategic planning, and earned trust.
I share this because this is how I know Molly Chase has the right skill set for Minneapolis Public Schools. The skills that grew that theater — listening deeply to community, translating values into sustainable systems, persuading skeptical stakeholders, and showing up to do unglamorous work without a title or a salary — are precisely the skills a school board member needs.
And Molly Chase has them. I have watched her for over 15 years as a teacher, an advocate, and a colleague who never flinches when something hard needs to be said or done. When difficult issues have come forward, she has stepped toward them, not away. That is rare. It is also exactly what Minneapolis Public Schools needs at this moment.
She is not running for school board to launch a political career. She is running because she believes — as I do — that public schools are worth fighting for, and that this community is capable of building something powerful if the right people are willing to do the work.
In Solidarity
Amy Stedman
Naomi Grishman, Educator and Public School Advocate
“Molly has always been committed to examining issues by listening to others, doing research and standing up for her convictions.
“When I reflect upon Molly, as one of my high school students, the first memory that pops up is when she was going to compete in a public speaking scholarship competition hosted by a conservative, male-dominated organization. She and I were the only females in the room. I beamed with pride as she stood before everyone with composure and confidence.
“She eloquently shared her open minded convictions with this very politically conservative group. Though she was clearly the most articulate contestant, a young man was chosen as the winner. But Molly and I left the hall feeling like winners because in the face of conservatism, a rational, compassionate young woman was not afraid to speak up.”
- Naomi Grishman, my former History teacher, dept lead, assistant principal, and mentor to many.
Described best by another former student, Cassandra Sweet (link): “Grishman was really a part of a group of committed teachers who were not willing to abandon Atlanta Public Schools, and believed that Atlanta Public Schools should be a place of openness and diversity and excellence.”
I pulled this image of Ms. Grishman from a 1989 yearbook. Note the caption reads “The consummate Q.B.E. teacher diligently at work.”
Short for Quality Basic Education, QBE is a Georgia standardization mandate that dictated classroom and teaching practices. It also introduced new standardized testing rules, etc.
Four decades later, QBE is still in place in Georgia.(link) I can’t speak for educators, but students hated it.
Feel free to admire my bravery in posting a picture from last century.
Community in the arts
“Molly Chase is someone I have know for a decade plus. She is smart, kind, gentle, fierce, clever, silly and patient. She is same one who I would trust to run my company, to be my confidant or to be my scene partner on stage.”
“As long as I have known and also been aware of Molly which is for 16 years now, she has been known to me as a true community builder, a fundraising LEGEND, and an organizer for the ages. She is warm, kind, thoughtful, smart, willing to listen to others, and a strong advocate for those without voices. She is the person I look to if I’m looking for someone who is going to not only get something done, but to get it right with precision and intent. With Molly in a position like this, I see only incredible and lovely things for this lucky community.”
- Lizzie Gardner
“Molly is authentic. Her open and inclusive communication, her acute problem-solving skills, and positive nature make her someone you want to know. And more importantly want on your side!”
-Marueen Tubbs
“I endorse Molly fully and deeply! She has the heart and mind to make the best decisions for children and families in District 5!”
- Taj Ruler
“I’ve known Molly as a dedicated [improv theater] teacher. She will make a wonderful representative.”
- Susan Roberts
more to come!
Share Your Community Endorsement
Have we worked or volunteered together? If you feel moved to vouch for me, thank you! I invite you to contribute your memories / endorsement here.