A community member submitted this article to Southwest Voices anonymously.

As a federal employee and Minnesota resident, I am deeply concerned about the impact of recent federal executive orders on my career, my colleagues, and the important work we do. I am a public servant, using my expertise in data science and epidemiology to understand threats to public health—something I spent six years in graduate school training to do. This job is my passion, and I am committed to making a difference.

Unfortunately, new executive orders threaten not only my job, but also important projects designed to understand and improve health equity—an area that directly affects vulnerable communities here in Minnesota. Additionally, policies aimed at “protecting women” have forced us to remove pronouns from our email signatures. I don't understand how such a rule is even legal. I don't feel "protected" by that order. I feel confused. What law says I can’t display my pronouns at work? How much can actually be done by executive order? Can livelihoods really be upended so easily over something so... basic as which pronoun to use?

Like many others, I have family here in Minnesota and cannot relocate. While I have highly technical skills and could find another job, I don’t want to. I love my work, and I believe in the mission. But with each passing policy change, I feel more uncertain about my future.

I’m writing this in the hope of sparking interest, empathy, and solidarity among my neighbors. I know I’m not the only one affected, and I hope our community can stand together in support of those of us facing these challenges.

As always, you can leave comments below which are often republished in the Voices of Southwest series.