Shawna Mullen Spirit Award

By Andrea Busche

TThe Rosie Awards “Spirit Award” is given to a young woman who has shown exceptional courage and determination. At just 36, award winner Shawna Mullen exhibits these traits in spades.

Mullen was born and raised in Cambridge, Minn., and moved to Duluth in 2010, where she lives with her 9-yearold daughter Mackenzie, and partner, James. In her 10 years in Duluth, she has made huge strides toward promoting alternative transportation such as biking, walking, carpooling, and using public transportation.

Mullen lives the life she promotes. She herself bikes a mile and a half to and from her job as transportation services manager at Essentia. For Mullen, promoting alternative transportation is both her passion and her job.

Mullen earned a bachelor’s degree from Gustavus Adolphus College, with a double-major in biology and studio art.

“I pursued art because I like art, and biology because I have an interest in environmental issues and sustainability,” she said.

Mullen began bike commuting in 2013, which she does year-round, on an upright commuter bike.

“I started biking for environmental and sustainability reasons,” she said, “But the more I walked, biked and bused, the more I connected with my community. It really strengthened my sense of place.”

Mullen has been part of many local initiatives promoting alternative transportation. For instance, she brought the first “Paint the Pavement” program to Duluth, intended to slow traffic, build community, and create public art.

She created an annual event called Bus Bike Walk. She founded Winter Bike Week, demonstrating that people really do bike in frigid Duluth. She created the first Mayor’s Bike Ride in Superior, and coordinated the corresponding event in Duluth.

Mullen is a founding member of groups We Walk in

Duluth and Duluth Bikes. She is a board member of the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, and a member of both the Safe and Walkable Hillside Coalition and the BicyclePedestrian Advisory Committee for the Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council.

She also teaches classes on crafting, winter bike commuting, and urban cycling at the Duluth Folk School. Additionally, Mullen is a certified instructor for the League of American Bicyclists and was a recent presenter at the Winter Cycling Congress, held in Finland.

Mullen was nominated for this award by Mike Casey, on behalf of the group “We Walk in Duluth.”

“Shawna has elevated the needs of people who bike and walk to a new level,” said the nomination. “She has developed a calm, effective, and compelling style of advocating for people who are typically not heard in our city. In the process, she has become a strong and respected leader. She is committed to bringing our community together through improved transportation options for ALL of Duluth. Shawna is an advocate who lives the lifestyle she promotes.”

“My strongest emotion is gratitude,” said Mullen about receiving the Spirit award.” I’m thankful for the people who nominated me, as well as the people who have mentored and encouraged me along the way.” D