CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
60 minutes segment: big cryto (Aired Dec. 8, 2024)
Post Event Highlights from Erin
Event Program
Photo Library
remarks from annette jacobson
Thank you to all of you who have become Power Illuminators in the past year. I am confident that you will continue to generously support the Women’s Fund, and that others will join us. You have experienced the transformative power of being a philanthropist.
Consider for a moment: Where we spend money is where we see results.
When I go to my favorite coffee shop to meet a friend, I purchase a delightful drink and have a wonderful time talking.
When you or I choose to update our kitchen, we spend the money and then typically say to ourselves: “why didn’t I do this sooner?”
All good results, from money we’ve spent. Spend money and see the results.
For those of you who have given to the Women’s Fund, take a moment to experience the power of making that gift, and impacting Milwaukee and beyond. Think of the story you have to share about being a philanthropist, your own powerful story.
Now bear with me if you have already heard this story, my story.
A pivotal moment for me in giving was when Roe v Wade was overturned. I was so angry, and very frustrated. I did not want to be a victim of this, I did not want to feel helpless. I wanted to take action. I decided to give a matching grant to the Women’s Fund.
Just for a moment, I thought, do I want to do this anonymously? There are some pretty crazy people out there who have killed those people supporting body autonomy. I felt a shudder of fear go through my body. As it passed through me, I decided I am done living my life in fear – that is not really living – it’s better to live courageously and powerfully.
I hope all of us here today can experience the courage and power that comes from saying: “I’m done being afraid,” that comes from taking action.
I am ready to live my life, to spend my money and see results. To live an empowered, inspired, courageous life, and do it now.
It is urgent for us all right now to act, to speak, and to give. In that empowered way of living, we will see results and move the dial for women, girls, and gender expansive people in Milwaukee and beyond. We are the women’s movement.
Let’s move forward with courage and power, giving money to create the results we want, to create the world we want to live in. That is what
philanthropy is about. Be empowered; be a philanthropist; join us in changing Milwaukee and the world!
Hear Erin on Cream City Dreams Podcast
Meagan from Cream City Dreams Podcast sat down with Erin Loos Cutraro, founder and CEO of She Should Run, a national organization encouraging more women to step into public office. Tune in to this inspiring conversation that celebrates Milwaukee women who are making bold moves and creating a better community for all.
Grant announced at the event
SHE SHOULD RUN, $25,000
In support of an engaged democracy, and in honor of Erin Loos Cutraro, the Women’s Fund maked a grant to She Should Run.
She Should Run is a national, nonpartisan nonprofit working to drastically increase the number of women considering a run for office. It envisions a future where our government is fully representative of the people it serves.
Impact Stories
1. ALVERNO COLLEGE, RESEARCH CENTER FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS, Women in Public Life-Elected Officials
In 2020, the Women’s Fund invested in a research project in partnership with Alverno College’s Research Center for Women and Girls (RCWG) to better understand women’s pathways to office in Wisconsin. The resulting research (published in 2022) reinforced that Wisconsin has made great strides regarding gender equity within the political landscape, yet the progress we have made remains fragile and demands our unwavering attention and advocacy. The project provided valuable information about how we can better support women in public office.
2. NEW MOON PRODUCTIONS, Most Dangerous Women
Women changemakers have often been labeled “dangerous,” but their voices and actions have been essential in creating positive change and remain so today. Most Dangerous Women: Women of the West, a project of Milwaukee-based New Moon Productions, is a documentary short focusing on women gaining the right to vote and hold public office in the U.S. West, and how their visibility and leadership fueled the quest for national women’s suffrage.
The film is available to watch online for free and can be used in both community and classroom settings. You are encouraged to watch it, share it, and create conversations about it. Take this opportunity to learn the history that wasn’t covered in our formal K-12 education—and inspire others to do the same.
How Super PACs and Dark Money Shaped This Year’s Campaigns
This election season, super PACs and dark money shifted the landscape in ways we can’t afford to ignore. These largely hidden sources of funding brought substantial financial weight to campaigns — influencing voter perceptions and political outcomes alike.
Unlike traditional contributions, dark money often obscures who’s behind it, raising serious questions about transparency and fairness. This topic was a focal point at last month’s WF Presents event, where our keynote speaker Erin Loos Cutraro unpacked the challenges this funding poses… especially for women candidates and underrepresented voices seeking to lead.
Click here to listen to a recent segment about this on NPR’s All Things Considered.
Money and politics are deeply intertwined, their connection shaping the fabric of our democratic process for decades. Financial contributions are essential and the lifeblood of every political campaign. However, the infusions of millions of dollars into politics at every level of government, brings with it challenges related to transparency, ethics, influence, and more.
The focus of this program was a keynote address by Erin Loos Cutraro, co-founder and CEO of She Should Run, that delved deeply into these complex dynamics. Cutraro shared insights about how politics and power dynamics shape our political options, which often sidelines women candidates and elected officials, especially those in underrepresented communities. She shared insights that underscore the systemic barriers women face in navigating the political landscape and highlights the start disparities in financial backing from PACs and super PACs, revealing a campaign finance system fraught with inequities. Cutraro also discussed legislative hurdles that impact women’s daily lives.
This program was valuable and engaging sprinkled with reminders – and new perspectives too – about how money is an integral part of our democracy.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Erin Loos Cutraro is the founder and CEO of She Should Run, the trailblazing nonpartisan nonprofit on a mission to revolutionize the landscape of women in American political leadership by shattering barriers and redefining possibilities for women in elected office. Since its inception, She Should Run has become a beacon of empowerment, offering powerful first steps in civic engagement to hundreds of thousands of women from all walks of life whose formidable leadership potential would go otherwise untapped in conventional political recruitment.
Before joining She Should Run, Erin designed and implemented strategic programs for companies, campaigns, and organizations that traverse the public policy, nonprofit, and financial business arenas. As the political director of the Women’s Campaign Fund, Erin advised female candidates at the national, state, and local levels. Before that, she served at an educational nonprofit and in state government in the Office of Missouri’s Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, whom she helped elect statewide as part of Carnahan’s campaign team in 2004.
Erin began her career as a public school teacher and has a life-long dedication to improving the lives of others through learning. She earned an M.A. in Communication from St. Louis University and B.A. in Education from the University of Missouri.
Erin’s two daughters motivate her to champion the systematic and cultural change needed to see gender equality for women and girls in our lifetime.
SIGNATURE PARTNER
INNOVATION PARTNERS
Foley & Lardner, LLP
Kane Communications Group
Quarles
Erika Sander
PASSION PARTNERS
Morjaria Family
speak. write. coach.
WaterStone Bank
TABLE CAPTAINS
Megan Anderson
Judy Andrade
Gina Jaeckel
Sheila Long
Cheryl Moore, PhD
Nancy Peterson
Tia Torhorst
1974 PARTNERS
Baird
BMO
Camienne Financial
Annette Jacobson
JP Morgan
LEGACY Private Trust Company
Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Michael Best
Russ Grabczyk and Julie Ragland
Monica Shah-Davidson
Stamm
PROGRAM DONOR
AAUW Milwaukee Branch
Event Committee
Gillian Lester-George de Montesinos, Chair
Megan Anderson
Judy Andrade
Paige Hunt
Glenda Mitchell
Gillian Lester-George de Montesinos, Chair
Megan Anderson
Judy Andrade
Paige Hunt
Glenda Mitchell