State Senator | District 40
Shelli Yoder
Minority Caucus Leader
Proudly Serving District 40
Indiana Senate District 40 encompasses the majority of Monroe County and includes the Indiana University-Bloomington campus.
Elected
2020
Occupation
Senior Lecturer at Indiana University Kelley School of Business
Education
Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Services, Indiana University South Bend Master’s in Divinity, Vanderbilt
Acknowledgements
Personal
Lives in Bloomington with her spouse and three children
Stay Connected
with
Senator Shelli Yoder
Follow me on Facebook
Posts from Senator Yoder
Indiana’s most vulnerable are being failed. Seniors, children and people with disabilities are stuck on waiting lists for vital services, and now low-income parents seeking child care vouchers are added to the list.Families earning $38,000 can’t access Pre-K assistance, but those earning $230,000 qualify for private school vouchers. This isn’t just unfair—it’s a moral and economic disaster. Parents are leaving the workforce, children are missing out on education and seniors are being denied care they were promised.Enough is enough. We must invest in Medicaid waivers, child care and Pre-K to end these waitlists. Hardworking Hoosiers deserve better, and I’ll keep fighting until they get it. #INForAllLearn more:
The state established another waiting list for services last week, this time for low-income parents seeking child care vouchers.
Monroe County has lost one of its brightest lights. Cheryl Munson wasn’t just a leader in our community—she was a force of nature, a mentor, a mother figure, and a dear friend to me. She shaped my life with her wisdom, her generosity and her boundless passion for making the world a better place. Her kitchen was a sanctuary, where countless conversations over delicious meals—lovingly crafted from the treasures of her incredible garden and the woods she cherished—fed both my body and my soul. Cheryl was an explorer of both the past and the future. As an archaeologist, she unearthed stories along the Ohio River and beyond, connecting us to our shared history in ways that inspired awe and understanding. She was a lifelong learner, a fierce advocate and a true teacher to so many. She cared deeply about fighting for what is right—championing women’s rights, a better understanding of racial justice, and learning about intersectionality. Her curiosity never wavered, and her determination to create a fairer, more just world was tireless. Her love for Monroe County and its people was unmatched. Cheryl’s service to our community was not just a duty—it was her life’s mission. She poured her heart into this county, into her family and especially into her granddaughters, whom she adored beyond measure. She showed us all what it means to live with purpose and to leave a legacy that will ripple through generations. I will miss her deeply—her wisdom, her warmth, her friendship. Cheryl, thank you for teaching me, guiding me and loving me. Rest now, my dear friend. Your light will never dim, and your impact will never be forgotten. ❤️
🌨️ Winter is Here: Let’s Support Our Unhoused Neighbors 🌨️As temperatures drop, Bloomington’s incredible organizations are stepping up to provide food, shelter and clothing to those in need. Resources like Beacon, New Hope for Families and Middle Way House offer critical support for individuals and families facing homelessness.If you or someone you know needs help this winter, visit this resource guide: bit.ly/4ggLw9k and beaconinc.org/ . Together, we can ensure everyone has a safe and warm winter.📞 Please share, spread the word and consider donating or volunteering.#BloomingtonCares #CompassionInAction #INForAll
Beacon | Solutions for People in Poverty I Bloomington, Indiana
Beacon is a solutions-driven, antipoverty organization, dedicated to aiding and empowering people experiencing extreme poverty, especially hunger and homelessness. Beacon provides housing, day and ove...
🧡 As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting deeply on this day’s complexity, especially given the challenges our world and communities are facing.For some, Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude, connection and tradition. For others, it is a somber time - particularly for Native American communities who continue to endure the legacies of injustice and inequity.Here in Indiana, we stand on the ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land for centuries. As we observe Native American Heritage Month, we must listen, learn and amplify their voices—not just today but every day.This year, with so much for which to give thanks and for that which weighs upon us—globally and here at home—I hope we can approach this season with humility, kindness and a shared commitment to equity and justice. Whether this day holds joy, sorrow or quiet reflection for you - or all three all at once - know that your story and experience matter.To those finding strength in traditions and to those seeking space for healing, may we be mindful. Let’s move forward together with empathy and understanding toward a future where compassion guides us all.🪶🌾 With gratitude,Senator Shelli Yoder#Thanksgiving #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #Reflection #Empathy #INForAll