Tag Archive for: Grace Link

Kylie Oversen to Receive Art and Grace Link Lifetime Achievement Award at Annual Burdick Dinner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 9, 2024

FARGO – Former Democratic-NPL Party Chair and state legislator Kylie Oversen will receive the Art and Grace Link Lifetime Achievement Award at the 14th Annual Burdick Dinner on September 14, 2024. Oversen currently serves as the Chair of the DNC Rural Council.

Oversen was elected to three terms as Chairwoman of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party. When elected, she was the youngest person to hold a state party chair position in the country and remains one of only two women to serve the ND Democratic-NPL in this role. Oversen was also a co-founder and chair of the Democratic-NPL Women’s Caucus, which focused on recruiting and supporting progressive female candidates for state and local office.

From 2012 to 2016, Oversen served in the North Dakota House of Representatives. During her time in the state legislature, Oversen was an especially strong advocate for North Dakota’s children, women, and families. She worked on policies related to equal pay; paid family leave; domestic violence and human trafficking protections and victim support; early childhood education opportunities; and more. Given her background in social work and her time on the Human Services committee, Oversen also became an advocate for improved access to mental and behavioral health services in the state. Given her roots in rural, Western ND, she also advocated for sufficient support to reach communities most impacted by oil boom and bust cycles.

In 2018, Oversen was the Democratic-NPL endorsed candidate for state Tax Commissioner. She is one of only five Democrats in North Dakota to break 40% of the statewide vote since 2012.

Oversen was born and raised in Killdeer, North Dakota. After high school, Oversen received two bachelor’s degrees, in Social Sciences and Social Work, from the University of North Dakota.

She also completed her juris doctor degree at the University of North Dakota School of Law. In the past, Oversen has been recognized for her leadership with the Phenomenal Woman Award, given by the UND Women’s Center & the UND Multicultural Student Center, & with the Woman of the Year Award, given by the North Dakota Women’s Network. In 2014, Oversen was also named by the Washington Post’s blog, “The Fix”, as one of 40 Under 40 politicians to watch.

Oversen is currently employed at the Schneider Law Firm, where she focuses on disability, employment, housing, and juvenile law. She is also involved in the community as a Troop Leader for Girl Scouts and serves on several boards and committees in her community. She lives in Fargo with her husband, Brian, daughter, Adelyn, and her cats, Lewis and Clark.

The keynote speaker of the 14th Annual Burdick Dinner is Rachel Bitecofer, a political scientist and election forecaster turned political strategist who authored Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts. DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said of Bitecofer’s book, “To protect democracy and elect pro-democracy candidates, we must go on offense, and this book is the guide to do just that!” Tickets are available at https://swift-cpa.net/donate/2024burdickdinner.

Last year’s keynote speaker was Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is now running for Vice President.

Current and Former ND Democratic-NPL Chairs speak about Grace Link’s legacy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 12, 2024

BISMARCK, ND – Former First Lady Grace Link has passed away at 105.

“North Dakota lost an icon today,” remarked Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn, “Grace has been an inspiration to generations of Democratic-NPLers, especially women who were moved to get more involved because of her passion, and to whom Grace gave sage advice. She represented the best of our Dem-NPL to which she was so committed: integrity, respect, belief in democracy, and citizen activism.”

Bob and Marge Valeu, close friends of Grace and former Governor Link for over 50 years, commented, “Grace was a role model on what it takes to be a good and kind person. Grace embodied the spirit of North Dakota. An awesome lady, dedicated to community service. A North Dakota treasure who will be missed dearly.”

For many years, the Democratic-NPL has given the Art and Grace Link Lifetime Achievement Award, named for the political power couple, to North Dakotans who embody the same sense of service to their state and country. In November 2023, Link was named the Honorary Chair of Dem-NPL Century Club, a fundraising unit that supports the Democratic-NPL year-round work to build party infrastructure supporting candidate recruitment, local district and regional leadership, issue-based education, and tools for Dem-NPL success.

Link was also a phenomenal pie maker and keen fundraiser, her coveted lemon meringue pies would go for hundreds of dollars at local Democratic-NPL events.

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]