history of annual events

held in 2022

Women’s Fund Presents…

The F Word, Reclaiming Feminism

SPECIAL GUEST MARINA FRANKLIN, COMEDIAN, ACTOR, WRITER, HOST
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 AT THE EVENT CENTER AT POTAWATOMI HOTEL & CASINO 3-7 P.M.

This event brought humor to shine a light on the complexities of feminism. We reflected on who we are as feminists, and how we can do better for ALL women in Greater Milwaukee. Guests joined us for laughs and conversation about feminism being for everyone because everyone needs it! Event proceeds work to advance equity for women… by providing HER Scholarships, supporting grants to area NFP organizations addressing systemic issues, and convening the community to change attitudes, behavior, and culture.

held in 2021

Women’s Fund Presents…

Disruptors, Changing the Power Dynamics

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY REBECCA RYAN, ECONOMIST AND FUTURIST.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 AT THE PFISTER HOTEL 11:30 AM – 1:30PM

This annual educational event is designed to inspire new perspectives, help shape the narrative, and celebrate women, in our community.

Our theme, Disruptors, Changing the Power Dynamics, deepened the community conversation about gender and race, and how intersectionality impacts women in Greater Milwaukee. We were especially pleased that Johnson Controls, as Speaker Sponsor, helped bring Abby Phillip to Milwaukee. Abby Phillip, Correspondent, Anchor, and Author, and Dr. Joan M. Prince had an important conversation about their lived experiences. To ensure their stories reverberate in the community throughout 2022, we promoted “35 Books to Read” and hosted book discussions regularly.

The 12 bold Disruptors named by our event sponsors offered inspiration that we are committed to making Milwaukee a place where everyone thrives. Together, these Disruptors are changing the power dynamics, in their workplaces and our community. Monica Shah-Davidson was the event chair and emcee. We celebrated being together in the Grand Ballroom at the Pfister Hotel. We are grateful for the tremendous support from our event sponsors, especially, Associated Bank, our Signature Sponsor, and Baird, our Visionary Sponsor.

To all, a heartfelt, thank you… together we are advancing equity for women.

held in 2020

Women’s Fund Presents…

Game Changers, Driving Equity Forward

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY MEGHAN DUGGAN, OLYMPIC GOLD METALIST AND CAPTAIN OF THE USA WOMEN’S NATIONAL HOCKEY TEAM. SHE AND HER TEAMMATES ON THE USA WOMEN’S NATIONAL HOCKEY TEAM TOOK A STAND FOR PAY EQUITY, THREATENING TO BOYCOTT THE 2017 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT.

Friday, October 23, 2020 Virtual Event

This annual educational event is designed to create new perspectives, help shape the narrative, and celebrate women, in our community. Our theme, Game Changers, gave us the chance to hear an uplifting message about how one woman, and her teammates, put the issue of fair compensation ahead of the game and bonded on the path to winning, both on the ice and in the boardroom.

Meghan Duggan shared stories that underscore how trust, communication, and unity, are important to achieving a goal and having success. The 11 bold Game Changers named by our event sponsors offered inspiration that we are committed to making Milwaukee a place where everyone thrives.

Together, these Game Changers are helping change the norm and drive equity forward, in their workplaces and our community. Celeste Cuffie did a fantastic job emceeing our first-ever, virtual event. While a small group functioned from Studio A at Majic Productions, hundreds of people watched the event via Zoom. We are grateful for the tremendous support from our event sponsors, especially, Associated Bank, our Signature Sponsor, and Johnson Controls, our Visionary Sponsor.

held in 2019

Women’s Fund Presents…

The Future, 2030

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY REBECCA RYAN, ECONOMIST AND FUTURIST. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019, AT THE GARAGE, HARLEY-DAVIDSON MUSEUM, 12-1:30 PM

Our theme in 2019 gave focus to what we need to do today, to ensure the future is what we all want now. Rebecca Ryan delivered an inspiring three-part keynote that ended with recommendations of action that ensure a future that we all want now. She challenges us to ask two questions: “Who are we?” and “What do we stand for?”

During the event 12 inspiring women were recognized as Futurists, named by our event sponsors, for their efforts in working and leading for a more equitable future. We also heard the value of lifting others from Bridgett Wilder, our emcee and HER Scholar, who shared her powerful life story of perseverance. We learned that with support from others, she overcame grief and a string of hardships to achieve her dream of a college degree, and so much more.

We had a pop-up book store created by the local Voyageur Book Shop that offered books by both Rebecca and Bridgett. It was a powerful luncheon that was captured in photos by Shela Grant, a budding entrepreneur. And we are grateful for the tremendous support from our event sponsors, especially, Associated Bank, our Signature Sponsor.

We acknowledge that progress is best measured over time and the arc of history proves we have had success. Success was demonstrated by Marilka Vélez, event chair, who has the ability to secure a mortgage for a home in a neighborhood that once prevented people like her from moving in.

held in 2018

Women’s Fund Presents…

The Power of Philanthropy with Joan Marie Jonson Ph.D.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY JOAN MARIE JOHNSON, PH.D., AUTHOR OF FUNDING FEMINISM: MONIED WOMEN, PHILANTHROPY AND THE WOMEN’S MOVEMENT

Friday, November 1, 2018 at The Garage, Harley-Davidson Museum, 12-1:30 PM 

In 2018, in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote, our celebration featured a powerful keynote by Joan Marie Johnson, Ph.D. who authored Funding Feminism: Monied Women, Philanthropy and the Women’s Movement.

Joan detailed how women wielded their social and financial influence to make change. The results include the right to vote, access to higher education, birth control, and better working conditions.

She brought to life stories of various women who have been overlooked in history. Joan encouraged attendees to think about the power of their own philanthropy. She reminded us, “We have to understand that as we move forward it is certainly not a straight line.

We have come a long way since 1900 but certainly there is far to go.” We were also proud to honor nine women, named by our event sponsors, who are using their philanthropy to make change in our community. Congratulations to these outstanding women. Let’s stand on their shoulders and use the power of our philanthropy to advance equity for women, today and forever.

held in 2017

held in 2016

held in 2015