womenwill, estate gifts
We’re excited to announce the awarding of special grants made possible by the generous estate of a devoted advocate for women and their families. This legacy represents an enduring belief that empowering women transforms lives and uplifts entire communities.
Honoring a Legacy by Transforming Lives Through Generous Gifts
The vision of a more equitable world continues to inspire meaningful change, and these grants reflect the advocate’s values in action.
The gift we received this year originated with a commitment made in 1992, and we are proud to honor the legacy as prescribed. These grants are focused on women, single parents, and families. By investing in organizations that have a shared vision for our community, these grant awards honor a commitment to creating opportunities that strengthen women and build a brighter, more inclusive future.
This moment is also a reminder of how estate gifts can leave a lasting impact. By including the Women’s Fund in your plans, you can ensure your passion for advancing equity lives on for generations. Estate gifts like this one strengthen our ability to create real, lasting change and honor the belief that supporting women creates stronger families and communities.
American Lung Association — Wisconsin
American Red Cross, SE Wisconsin
Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center
Aurora Women’s Pavilion
Hope House of Milwaukee
La Causa
Salvation Army of Milwaukee County
She Should Run
Sixteenth Street Community Health Center
This list of donor names is so special to the Women’s Fund because these are the people who have included the Fund in their estate plans.
Whether their ultimate gift is the entire estate, a percentage or portion of the estate, or a set dollar amount from the estate… we are proud they believe equity for women is important enough to be a part of their personal legacies. Thank you.
Lisa Attonito
Marsha L. Block
Jacqueline E. Boynton
Diane M. Buck
Bridget Coffey
Sandy Cunningham
Dorothy K. Dean
Sarah Dean
Honorable Jean DiMotto
Anne Elvgren*
Sally Grootemaat*
Doris Heiser
Sue Hickey
Joan Hubbard
Barbara Hughes
Anne Johnson*
Donna Kleczka
Norma Jean Larson*
Sally J. Lewis
Melissa McCord
Mary McKey*
Martine Meyer*
Amy Muehlbauer
Sylvia Murn
Laura Parrino (2025)
Beth A. Partleton
Nancy Peterson
Gwen Plunkett*
Joan M. Prince
Julie Ragland
Esther Ritz*
Marisa Rivera
Mary E. Roggeman
Erika Sander
Annemarie Sawkins
Cathy Seasholes
Monica Shah-Davidson
Annette Stoddard-Freeman*
Barbara M. Strause*
Beth Weckmueller
Patricia Wilmeth*
|
Lisa Attonito Marsha L. Block Jacqueline E. Boynton Diane M. Buck Bridget Coffey Sandy Cunningham Dorothy K. Dean Sarah Dean Honorable Jean DiMotto Anne Elvgren* Sally Grootemaat* Doris Heiser Sue Hickey Joan Hubbard |
Barbara Hughes Anne Johnson* Donna Kleczka Norma Jean Larson* Sally J. Lewis Melissa McCord Mary McKey* Martine Meyer* Amy Muehlbauer Sylvia Murn Laura Parrino (2025) Beth A. Partleton Nancy Peterson Gwen Plunkett* |
Joan M. Prince Julie Ragland Esther Ritz* Marisa Rivera Mary E. Roggeman Erika Sander Annemarie Sawkins Cathy Seasholes Monica Shah-Davidson Annette Stoddard-Freeman* Barbara M. Strause* Beth Weckmueller Patricia Wilmeth*
|
*We’re deeply honored to have received legacy gifts from these WF supporters. Their generosity continues to light our path forward as we imagine the possibilities for women’s equity.
This was a special invitation for WF Power Illuminators and WomenWill donors.
Special Guest: Amy Washbush, PhD., Associate Director for Engaged Research, Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies (The CommNS) and Associate Director, Master of Science in Human Ecology, School of Human Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison
The focus was on the newly created Women’s Well-Being Index. Amy shared the latest data and made sense of it. Additionally, we initiated discussion about the Women’s Fund response/plans.
Thursday, June 24, 2025
5:30 – 8 p.m.
Complimentary refreshments
Event Host:
Annette Jacobson
Location:
Club Room at Harbor View/Hansen’s Landing
541 E. Erie Street, Milwaukee (Historic Third Ward)
Street parking
Registration required; no fee.
This was a special invitation for WF Power Illuminators, WomenWill donors, and/or WF board members to join an engaging discussion about our personal legacies.
We addressed such topics as 1.) what it means to create a legacy; 2.) tools available to create a legacy; or 3.) examples of goals people have related to their legacy.
Danila Danesi and Tiffany Cormona, both of JP Morgan, shared their ideas and expertise during this WF special session. Additionally, we heard a couple of stories from WomenWill donors.
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
5 – 6:30 p.m.
Complimentary light refreshments
Agenda:
Opening remarks, 5:15 p.m.
Exploring your legacy, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.
Stories and closing remarks, 6:15 p.m.
Location:
The Exchange at Chase Tower, 111 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee
Parking:
At your expense in the Chase Tower Parking Structure (enter from Water Street) OR street parking
There is some construction in the area so spots are limited.