MINNEAPOLIS — Time flies when you're saving the world — just ask two Minnesota women being recognized nationally for dedicating their lives to doing just that.
Dr. Rachel Hardeman, Minneapolis native and founding director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity (CARHE), and Beth Ford, president and CEO of Arden Hills-based Land O' Lakes Inc., were both named to TIME Magazine's 2024 100 Most Influential People list for the positive impact they've made in their respective industries.
In a statement provided by the University of Minnesota, Dr. Hardeman called the distinction "an incredible honor."
"I hope this moment deepens our collective awareness and understanding of structural racism, health equity, and the shared work to dismantle those barriers so all people have the same opportunities to be healthy,” Hardeman said. “The work of antiracism can be so hard, but we keep pushing because we are fueled by love. It is an immense privilege to be part of a network of colleagues, students, community leaders, health care providers, policymakers and advocates making meaningful progress in Minnesota and beyond. I would not be receiving this honor without their support and partnership.”
Hardeman also serves as the Blue Cross Endowed Professor of Health and Racial Equity at the U's School of Public Health. At the U, Hardeman specializes in researching the effects of racism on health outcomes, particularly for the maternal health of Black Americans.
In an interview on Thursday with KARE 11's Heidi Wigdahl, Hardeman said she found out the news three weeks ago while picking up her daughter from school.
"I'm sitting in the car line, scrolling my e-mail, and was like what is this? And it says... subject line: confidential. My first reaction was they sent this to the wrong person," Hardeman said. "I was shocked."
It wasn't until Wednesday that Hardeman found out that Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, a Democrat from Illinois, was the one who nominated her for the honor.
In the article, Rep. Underwood said, "Her antiracism research has been at the forefront of our fight to end our nation’s maternal-health crisis, uplifting evidence-based solutions to address the root causes of racism in our health care system."
"My research really focuses on the big question of how does social inequity and, particularly, how does racism impact health and well-being?" Hardeman said. "Here in Minnesota, what we see is that Black and Indigenous babies are less likely to celebrate their first birthday, meaning that they are at greater risk of infant mortality. We also see here in Minnesota, as well as across the country, that Black moms are three to four times more likely to experience maternal mortality."
With the TIME news, Hardeman plans to leverage this moment, saying, "I always refer to my 10-year-old daughter who I work on behalf of every single day because I want better for her."
Hardeman landed in TIME's top innovators category, among others like actor Maya Rudolph, designer Tory Burch and Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Connie Walker.
Then there is the list of titans — where you'll find Land O' Lakes' Beth Ford.
Ford ranks alongside industry giants like Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and three-time Super Bowl Champion Patrick Mahomes, television personality and broadcaster Kelly Ripa, and 10-time Grammy-winning artist and producer, Jack Antonoff.
Ford became president and CEO of Land O' Lakes in 2018, helping to lead they company's effort in addressing issues like the global food supply.
Ford declined an interview with KARE 11 on Thursday but said in a press release, "I am honored to be mentioned among this impressive group of people. The list recognizes influence is most critical on issues that affect everyone, like the global food supply."
“Our farmers, cooperatives and ag retailers carry the most risk in the food system. Without investment in rural America – its communities, its businesses, and its families – the interconnected global food chain is vulnerable. We all owe so much to the grit, determination and resilience of the people who feed us all.”
To read TIME's acknowledgement of Hardeman, written by U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), click here.
For Ford's acknowledgement, written by Larry Fink, founder, chairman and CEO of BlackRock, click here.
To see TIME's full list of influential people of 2024, click here.
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