Honorees

Honored by: Daniel and Malina Adler

Honored by: John Holton

Honored by: Jill Lundberg

“Evelyn Powers Bakula was a grandmother I knew well. She was born in 1911. Although she never had the opportunity to attend college, she had a love of books and reading that she passed on to me. Evelyn spent most of her childhood in an “orphanage asylum” due to a family tragedy and the lack of a social safety net. She attended high school through her junior year and then began working in a bookstore, which taught her the importance of education. She instilled this love of learning in me and supported my efforts to go to college. Evelyn died in 1992, four years after I received my B.A. from UW-Madison.”

Honored by: Jim Nelson

“Nancy Ballsrud lives a life of leadership and service to others. She made a career of transformative change in the corporate world. A UW Alum, she also served as Chair of the UW Alumni Association and Board member of the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association. Also, I am blessed to have this amazing woman as my loving wife and mother to our great kids.”

Honored by: Elis Bauman

“I would like to honor the two most important and influential women in my life. In the order in which they came to me, they are: my mother and my wife.

From my wife, I gained an appreciation of fine art, fine wine, and fine dining, as well as foreign travel, local politics, and reading mysteries. She also led me to many of my good friends.”

Honored by: Elis Bauman

“I would like to honor the two most important and influential women in my life. In the order in which they came to me, they are: my mother and my wife.

To my mother, I owe my love of music (both classical and folk, both listening and playing), mathematics (particularly plane geometry and the power of an axiomatic system), my appreciation of social justice and civil rights, and of other cultures and languages.”

Honored by: Judy Hadlock

“Gladys Hadlock put her Journalism degree to work for the Kenosha Evening News newspaper in Kenosha Wisconsin. Gladys married George Hadlock and raised three boys. Her journalistic habits persisted in the most detailed photo album descriptions of occasions, people and places. I was fortunate to have this lovely woman as my mother-in law.”

Honored by: Susan Witz

“Linda Berman has changed the direction of my life starting in 1978 when I met her in Madison. She has provided support and assistance in so many ways, including but not limited to, introducing me to people and job opportunities which lead the UW Law School. Linda is a priceless asset to the UW community in Madison and beyond.”

Honored by: Linda Haugland

“Cindy is my younger sister and demonstrated greatness to me when she taught me the importance of prioritizing options and following through on them. Her focus area was family and loyalty. She put family above all else and worked hard to be the best mother and wife possible. Despite odds, in the end, she enjoyed a wonderful, cohesive, and successful family. Cindy provided an outstanding role model which will live well beyond her years.”

Honored by:  Mary & Brian Blanchard

“UW Law Emerita Professor June Weisberger Blanchard, the former Nathan P. Feinsinger Professor of Labor Law, blazed new trails for women in the law. June attended the University of Chicago law school while raising three young children and graduated at the top of her class. She was told by law school administrators to find work as a legal secretary, but instead went to work as the general counsel for the Rochester (NY) public school system. She arrived at UW-Madison in 1974. Her many accomplishments include playing a large role in drafting and helping to see into Wisconsin law the comprehensive, vastly beneficial community property legislation that recognizes marriage as a true economic partnership. A beloved mentor and colleague for several generations of law students and lawyers, June has always been joyful in sharing her guidance and expertise across a broad range of topics.”

Honored by: Linda Berman

Honored by: Reed Hall

“Paula is the past President of the Wisconsin Alumni Association, a position that she held for many years. I served on the Board with her for several years. She has always been a great Ambassador for the University of Wisconsin.”

Honored by: Christina Botham Salumaa

“This donation is being given on behalf of the Botham Family Siblings in honor of their Mother, Mary Bruce Botham. Mary attended the University of Wisconsin Madison in the late ‘40’s following in the footsteps of her mother, Helen Blake Bruce who received her UW degree in 1924. Mary was Phi Beta Kappa in her junior year and received her degree in English in 1950. She returned to the UW 20 years later to receive her Masters in Social Work. Both of Mary’s daughters received degrees from the UW as well as her three sons.”

Honored by: Margaret Shields

Honored by: Lori DiPrete Brown and Kirk Brown

Honored by: Melissa Keyes and Ingrid Rothe

Honored by: Carol Toussaint

October 3, 1972 Catherine B. Cleary retired chairman of First Wisconsin Trust Co., took the podium after receiving the Milwaukee Press Club’s Headliner Award for outstanding community service in 1980. Looking on was TV personality Tom Snyder (left), in the center was Roger Stafford, president of the press club. — AP photo from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files

Honored by: David and Cheryl Dahlquist

Honored by: David and Cheryl Dahlquist

“In honor of our smart and compassionate daughter”

Honored by: Astrid Hunton

Honored by: Brian J. Frohna, MD

“My mother Charlene Frohna gave tirelessly to others throughout her life, first as a registered nurse, then as the mother of 10 children, a nursing home caregiver, and a sewing teacher to underprivileged young women in Milwaukee. She lived her life with energy and zest that amazed my siblings and I. Rare were the instances when anyone could keep up with her in her daily activities. She lived a life as a role model for others, and truly captured the Wisconsin Idea.”

Colleen Goggins and family made this gift in memory of Lillian Goggin.

Colleen Goggins and family made this gift in memory of Sue Goggin.

Colleen Goggins and family made this gift in honor of Bernice Goggins.

Honored by: Hannah Karns

Honored by: Martha Taylor

Sondra Shaw Hardy is a pioneer in the women’s philanthropy movement in the U.S. and worldwide. For more than forty years, she has been a leader in advancing women’s philanthropy. She is co-founder of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, now part of Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. WPI studies gender dynamics in philanthropy and helps advance women philanthropists through research and education.

Sondra authored or co-authored seven award winning books related to women’s philanthropy. She formed one of the nation’s first women’s giving circles in Traverse City, Michigan. She has worked tirelessly fulfilling her dream of every U.S. city having a women’s giving circle. Taking the giving circle concept worldwide, Sondra established Women’s Giving Circles International (WGCI) in 2018. Its mission is to unite women through collaborative giving efforts and create a more sustainable and compassionate world.

Now in her mid 80’s, Sondra has become an inspiration for all to work over a lifetime to increase philanthropic activism for positive social change and improve the common good.

In honoring Sondra, Martha Taylor said, “When Sondra and I met in 1991, we immediately bonded around women’s philanthropy and envisioned its potential. Throughout our long time founding WPI and writing books, my respect and admiration for Sondra grew and we became close friends. Not only is she an inspiration in her professional work, but she is a devoted and loving mother and grandmother. Sondra has been a blessing in my life and the lives of women around the world.

In the first five years of its existence, WPI was housed at the UW-Madison and School of Human Ecology. Thus it is appropriate and meaningful that Sondra is part of the In Her Honor initiative at the UW-Madison.”

Honored by: Kathleen Harker

Honored by: Marlene and Robert Hartzman

“In honor of our mothers, Frieda Brier Hartzman and Annette Chemerinsky Tobe, who cherished decency, kindness and education.”

Honored by: Reed Hall

“Co-Founder and Chairperson of ABC Supply Company, Beloit, WI; Philanthropist”

Honored by: Margaret Raymond and Mark Sidel

Honored by: Paul Hunter and Sophie Kramer

“Dr. Susan K. Hunter is a proud UW grad (B.S. Bacteriology 1978, M.D. 1982) who served the community of Waukesha as a gynecologist for 32 years, until her retirement in 2020 from Moreland Ob/Gyn Associates. Her deep commitment to her community includes her service to the Waukesha Memorial Hospital Medical Staff where she served as Chair of the Department of Woman and Children and Secretary of the Medical Staff. She also served on several community boards and made numerous trips to Guatemala as a medical mission volunteer for Hearts in Motion, providing gynecologic care to indigenous women. She and her husband Dr. Rick Minkley (M.D. 1982) are happy that the Badger tradition continues with their two sons Eric Minkley (B.B.A. 2013) and Dr. Andrew Minkley (B.S. 2013).”

Honored by: Margaret Raymond and Mark Sidel

Honored by: Kathryn Richardson and Janet Richardson Rich

“We would like to honor forever friend Helen Gilbertson Johnson for her understated, quiet and determined voice as a model for women. After spending a year attending the University of Wisconsin, she arrived in Monroe Wisconsin in the 1940s with Lester, her husband, hoping to stay two years and stayed a lifetime.

They raised three daughters and all have degrees from the University of Wisconsin.  Helen’s pride and love for her family is evident. As her circle grows, Helen is there for friends.  She is consistent and quietly confident as she shares calming wisdom.

University of Wisconsin contributed to her quest to be a lifelong learner.  As an avid reader her interests vary from Global Hot Spot lectures to Badger Athletics.  She is always ready to engage in a good discussion.

Helen’s decades of leadership benefited Girl Scouts, Monroe Woman’s Club, Eastern Star, the Monroe Arts Center, and Grace Lutheran Church to name a few. She was masterful at being the right leader at the right time.

Helen continues to embrace life.  She blooms where she is planted and those around her benefit. She is a Badger for life…through and through.”

Honored by: Joy Picus

“I am so grateful to have this opportunity to recognize and celebrate my mother, a remarkable woman who fashioned her own unique path to personal and intellectual achievement.”

Read Joy’s full tribute to her mother here.

Honored by: Reed Hall

“Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin 2001-2019, currently Executive Director of Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission-Washington D. C., graduate of University of Wisconsin Madison.”

Honored by: Doris Weisberg

“Miss Klovstad, my second-grade teacher at Winslow Elementary School in Racine, demonstrated this kind of greatness. She touched me in ways that changed my life. She paid special attention to me, providing extra challenges by giving me books like The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, as well as advanced math work. Her belief in me gave me confidence in myself and initiated a lifelong love of school.”

Honored by: Meredith Kruse McGlone

“Ann Sobota Kruse ’62 was a writer, teacher, feminist, advocate for mental health care and beloved mother and grandmother. Her wit and spirit brightened the lives of all who knew her. We love her and miss her.”

Honored by: Linda Berman

Honored by: William Tonn

“Dr. Susan Lester received her Ph.D. in genetics at the University of Wisconsin and her M.D. from Harvard Medical School. She trained in pathology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and has been Chief of Breast Pathology Services for over 20 years. She has served on committees for the College of American Pathology, the American Joint Committee on Cancer, and the World Health Organization. She was the chairperson of the CAP breast cancer review panel during the development of the first standardized reporting protocol for DCIS as well as a major revision of the invasive cancer protocol. Dr. Lester is well known for the Manual of Surgical Pathology, as well as textbooks on breast pathology and intraoperative consultation, and numerous chapters including Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease.”

Honored by: Laura Lull

Honored by: Peter Lundberg

“Susan Spengler Lundberg graduated from the UW with a degree in art in 1948. She loved to paint, from canvases to hand-designed neckties, and instilled an appreciation of art in her children and anyone she met. An avid outdoor enthusiast, she was happiest biking along country lanes, cross-country skiing, and picking wild asparagus in beautiful Waupaca County. A proud but nervous Badger football fan, she would always have to turn off the TV or radio if the score was too close!”

Honored by: Mary K. Rouse, UW-Madison Dean of Students Emerita (1987-2000) and Asst. Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

“Beginning in 1985, I served as an advisor for Anne Martino when I was an Assistant Dean of Students and she was a sophomore. I asked her to design and write the first brochure to let students know that a Crisis Fund had been established in our office, and that we hoped to raise enough money to meet the needs of students facing crises or emergencies. Not only did she complete this assignment well, but she later raised $10,000 for the Crisis Fund when she became chair of the Homecoming Committee in 1987!

Martino has had an outstanding career in the private sector as a leader in marketing and advertising with a focus on health care, holding management positions in top firms like Advocate Aurora Health, J. Walter Thompson Worldwide, Leo Burnett, and FBC Global.

Currently, she serves as a member of the Women’s Philanthropy Council of the UW Foundation and Alumni Association to promote and encourage alumni and friends to support scholarships, academic programs, and student services that strengthen and expand opportunities for women faculty, students, and staff.

Martino has held UW-Madison and the “Wisconsin Idea” in her mind and heart every day since she joined our student body. How lucky we are to have her continued connection and support!”

Honored by: Doris Weisberg

“Golda spent much of her youth in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she trained to be a teacher at what is now the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She went on to be elected Prime Minister of Israel and a role model for all women. Her accomplishments spoke to me, particularly as a young Jewish woman. She made me proud and conveyed the message that a woman could do anything.”

Honored by: Caroline Rose Brennan

“My grandmother, Mary Lou Morin, was one of the most incredible people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. In her 91 years on Earth, she not only raised a family of 9 children (and later 19 grandchildren) with her husband, Paul, but obtained a degree in Pharmacy from Purdue University long before it was common to see women in the healthcare and STEM fields. Mary Lou was a strong, independent, and highly intelligent woman but also one of the kindest and most pure people you could ever meet. She worked hard to provide for her large family, which wasn’t always easy, but that never stopped her from making sure that everyone in her community was taken care of. It wasn’t unusual for her to spend hours on end cooking for church dinners and bake sales for St. Monica Church in her hometown of Mishawaka or to invite guests from the neighborhood to her dinner table for a hot meal, a beer, and a few laughs. My grandmother’s resilience, drive, and strength are what make her my personal hero and I know she would be proud to see her name alongside all the powerful and inspirational women on this honor roll.”

Honored by: Dorothy O’Brien

Honored by: Susan Paskewitz

“My mom did not complete high school, dropping out early to take care of her own ailing mother and then to go to work at a shoe factory in Maine. She married my dad, a minister, which meant she moved to a new church every 2-3 years ending up in the Midwest and far away from her family. Mom raised 3 children and when we were in elementary and middle school, she decided to go back for her GED and then on to nursing school. We were so proud of her! Her dedication to learning, her loving nature, and her career as a caring and exemplary nurse all set an example that I try to follow.”

Honored by: William Tonn

“Before ‘spousal hires’ became common practice, Cynthia toiled for 7 years as a low-paying, part-time sessional lecturer (and unpaid spousal research partner) while her spouse developed his academic career. After finally being hired as a faculty member, Dr. Paszkowski went on to have an outstanding academic career as an undergraduate teacher, graduate supervisor, and administrator. As a researcher, Dr. Paszkowski published > 100 scholarly articles on vertebrate ecology and was the recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Canadian Herpetologist Award from the Canadian Herpetological Society.”

Honored by: Jean Katz

“Joy Picus has been a leader and a role model ever since I met her at the University of Wisconsin. She is married to Gerald Picus, my late husband’s first cousin. We built a supportive family network together since 1970 when my family moved to Los Angeles from Chicago. In City Council Joy was actively involved in providing high quality child care for the children of City Hall employees.”

Honored by: Margaret Raymond and Mark Sidel

Honored by: Annette Beyer-Mears

Honored by: Milo Pinkerton

Honored by: Kathryn Richardson

“Janet Richardson Rich received her degree in Education  from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Janet was born with patience and a desire to help others. Teaching was in her nature. As her younger sister, I was a recipient of this gift. She encouraged and rejoiced in my accomplishments.   Through life’s twists and turns, Janet always gave back to her community. Whether it be a classroom, swimming pool, National Ski Patrol, church, or YMCA, she gives of herself and shares with others to help wherever possible. Her heart is full of love. One saying is, ‘Today I will Choose Joy’ and she does.”

Honored By: Kathryn Richardson

“Kathryn (Kate) Woods Richardson has been there for me on my life journey. Kate graduated from UW with a BA in English and an MBA. Her life embodies the values of perseverance, strength, intelligence, and, most of all, care. As complicated life issues arose, her quiet strength was a guide for processing solutions. As a young woman I could rely on her to encourage me in my studies, give me words of advice, and occasionally read and edit my term papers. She was the person in my life who, no matter what her own responsibilities were, made sure that my special moments – birthdays, graduation, even my recent retirement – were acknowledged. I am so grateful and blessed to have a relationship with her at this time in my adult life!”

Honored by: Kathryn Richardson

“May Holmes Richardson grew up in Evansville. She lost her father during childhood and was raised by her mother, who worked very hard so that her daughter could have an education.  My grandmother chose to pursue study of Greek and Latin, graduating from UW in 1907. Instead of marrying my grandfather right after college, as so many did in her day, she chose to teach in Manitowoc and Boscobel. She eventually joined the Ringling Brothers in Baraboo as a teacher and traveled the country for two years before returning to Evansville to marry and start a family. She instilled a desire for education in me, and showed me that women can and should make interesting and self-affirming choices. ‘When you hear a knock on the door, open it,’ she used to say. ‘You never know what is going to be there.’”

Honored by: Kathryn Richardson

“My mother Ruth Kesauer Richardson, born and raised in New York, was always proud of her degree from Syracuse.  As a young woman faced with the realities of the Depression, earning a degree in 1935 required perseverance. She became a social worker. She was a social activist in her own way. After meeting my father, she moved to Monroe, Wisconsin to follow his career. The newcomer in a rural town, she sought out a circle of women who shared her interests. She was thirsty for knowledge and attended lectures, musical performances, and theater throughout her life. She instilled these passions in me. In Mom’s later years, she asked just one thing of me, “help me to keep my faith.” And keep her faith she did by attending church each week where she would stand to pass the peace and share an embrace with people she had known for over 60 years. Her motto was “’Don’t just live…Shine.’”

Honored by: Carol Toussaint

Honored by: Carol Toussaint

Honored by: Jim Nelson

Honored by: Margaret Raymond and Mark Sidel

Honored by: John Karl Scholz

“Joyce Scholz was a wonderful, kind, wise friend to all who helped me be what I am today.”

Honored by: John Karl Scholz

“Melissa Scholz is the love of my life and inspires me, every day, for her kindness and passion for making the world a better place.”

Honored by: Margaret Raymond and Mark Sidel

Honored by: Arthur and Annie Pearson

“We made this gift in honor of Mary Sue Shannon, because she believes that the University of Wisconsin greatly impacted the woman she is today and we want as many women like her in the world as possible. Mary Sue, our grandmother, graduated from the School of Human Ecology in 1981 and went on to become a preschool teacher and mother of three. Now she is our grandmother, and we get to benefit daily from her passion for early childhood development and education. M, as we call her, has taught us many things that one doesn’t always learn in a classroom — strength, patience, and generosity to name a few. She has given us so much, so we are thanking her in the way she taught us — by giving back — in the hope that today’s students can become a little bit like her.”

Honored by: Peter Lundberg

“Margaret Melaas Spengler was my grandmother, born in Stoughton in 1897. She was a proud Badger, graduating in 1919, and the first woman graduate in chemistry. She raised four children and was a loving grandmother who encouraged the pursuit of knowledge, loved her Norwegian ancestry, could dress and cook a goose, and rarely was stumped by a crossword puzzle.”

Honored by: Milo Pinkerton

Honored by: Ann Steinmetz Harris

“Celesta was born in Minot, North Dakota in 1918 and graduated from the School of Pharmacy at UW in 1941. Celesta was an early career women, working initially in Beaver Dam, then conducting research in Washington D.C. during WWII followed by many years as a pharmacist at Milwaukee Lutheran Hospital. From her I learned the importance of an education as well as a professional career. She instilled in me the belief that were no barriers for women to succeed.”

Honored by: Margaret Raymond and Mark Sidel

Honored by: Carol Toussaint

Honored by: Caroline Fribance and Weldon Nelson

Honored by: Marlene and Robert Hartzman

“In honor of our mothers, Frieda Brier Hartzman and Annette Chemerinsky Tobe, who cherished decency, kindness and education.”

Honored by: Margaret Raymond and Mark Sidel

Honored by:  John and Candace Vegter

“In so many aspects of her life, Alyssa has been a quiet leader, pursuing goals with fierce determination while sustaining love and nurturing of family and friends. Her active life style reflects her passion and respect for our beautiful and fragile environment. She has watched the sunrise on Kilimanjaro and trekked in the Ngorongoro Crater. On the UW campus, she received her B.S. as a National Scholar-Athlete and Big Ten Scholar-Athlete on the Women’s Rowing Team. She earned her J.D. at the U of WA and now is a partner and practices law in the areas of Environment, Land and Natural Resources. With her typical grace, she provides pro bono work to YMCA of Greater Seattle Camping Services and has introduced her love of the camp to her family. She is considered a Rising Star by peers and colleagues. Her family considers her a constant star, with two active sons, husband, and a busy household. She is a steady source of inspiration to those who know and love her.”

Honored by: Linda Berman

Honored by: Margaret Raymond and Mark Sidel

Honored by: Jill Lundberg

“Nora Ogden White was born in 1873 in Illinois. She was my great-grandmother. Her life was spent caring for her two daughters, Pearl and Estaline. Estaline was my grandmother. Nora also helped manage farm with her husband. When Estaline’s husband died when her children were quite young, Nora supported Estaline’s efforts to go back to school to become a teacher so that she could better care for her family. Nora also helped deliver babies in her rural community. She was a fierce proponent of women’s reproductive control. She was a member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. She would have been considered a radical in her time by advocating for a women’s right to vote. She died the year after I was born.”

Honored by: Joy Picus

The following entry contains excerpts from an article by Amy Bulter, found on the Jewish Women’s Archive webpage:

“Born in Helena, Montana in 1891, Belle Winestine, “devoted time, money, and energy to support and enforce legislation pertaining to women’s rights and children’s issues”. During her time as an undergraduate student at UW-Madison, Belle was elected president of the Women’s Student Government Association and selected as the student representative by members of the State Headquarters for Woman Suffrage in Wisconsin.  Following graduation, she helped to launch the suffrage movement in Montana and served as Jeannette Rankin’s legislative assistant during her winning campaign for Congress.”

To read more, please read the entry on Belle Winestine written by Amy Bulter as featured on the Jewish Women’s Archive.

Honored by: David and Cheryl Dahlquist

Honored by: Maddy Covelli

“We were a small but mighty force in the EMBA class of 2022. You will forever inspire me.”