Melissa Hortman

Imagine a grown-up who was like a captain for a big team of people who make rules for a whole state! That was Melissa Hortman. She was born on May 27, 1970, and she worked as a lawyer, which means she knew a lot about rules and laws. She became a very important leader in Minnesota, helping to make decisions that affected lots of people.

Melissa Hortman had a super cool job called the Speaker of the House. This is like being the boss of a big meeting where important decisions are made. She was the 61st person to have this job in Minnesota! She helped guide conversations and made sure everyone got a chance to share their ideas. It's a bit like being the teacher in charge of a very important classroom!

Melissa Hortman cared a lot about making things better for people. She wanted to help protect our planet by making more solar energy, which is power from the sun! She also believed in keeping people safe by talking about gun control and making sure everyone had a fair chance.

She was a champion for things like transportation and making sure everyone had the right to make choices about their bodies.

Sadly, Melissa Hortman's story has a very sad ending. On June 14, 2025, she and her husband were hurt very badly in their home. Even though her life ended, the work she did and the ideas she shared helped many people and will be remembered.