WomEn of Distinction

Established in 1974, the Women of Distinction honor has recognized nearly 300 extraordinary women who embody the heart of YWCA Madison’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women, promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

2026 hONOREES

Vanessa McDowell-Atlas, Jael Currie, Colleen Butler, Nancy Wrenn Bauch, & Monica Mims

In this milestone year, as YWCA Madison celebrates 50 years of Women of Distinction alongside 25 years of the Racial Justice Summit and 20 years of the Downtown Block Party, we turn inward to honor women from within YWCA Madison’s community whose leadership, care, and commitment have shaped who we are today, continue to guide where we are going, and reach across the broader Madison community and beyond.

YWCA Madison will celebrate Women of Distinction at the first-ever YWCA Madison Solidarity Sunset Soirée on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Marriott Madison West, beginning at 5:30 PM.

Deadline to register is April 30, 2026.

Using a mobile device? Tap the images Above to Learn More About eACH honoree!

Celebrating 50 Years of Women of Distinction

For 50 years, Women of Distinction has honored the leadership, courage, and care of women who have shaped our community in lasting ways. What began in 1974 as a celebration of extraordinary women has grown into a living legacy, carried forward by generations who continue to embody YWCA Madison’s mission and fuel our movement for justice.

This milestone is not only a reflection of the past, but a recognition of the relationships, contributions, and collective commitment that have built who we are today and influence the possibilities just beyond the horizon. We honor all who have been part of this journey, those who have yet to rise, and the generations who will carry this tradition forward for the next 50 years.

1974

Louise Marston Conklin

Constance A. Elvehjem
Velma Hamilton
Jessie McCanse
Margaret Russell

1975

1977

Shirley Abrahamson
Marlene Cummings
Helen Matheson Rupp
Midge Miller
Betty Vaughn

Milele Chikasa Anana
Kay Clarenbach
Beth Heiden Reid
Rosalie Mayer
Leslie Spense

1979

1980

Veatrice Baugh
Gladys Bronson
Beth Emshoff
Mary Lou Munts
Annetta Rosser

Agnes Cammer
Bea Kabler
Marsha Lindsay
Pam Moore
Rebecca Young

1981

Morlynn Frankey
Donna Jones
Fayth Kail
Elaine Marks
Barbara Nichols

1982

Peg Geisler
Rosalie Rohl
Marian Thompson
Rita Wlodarczyk

1983

1984

Roberta Gassman
Lucille Kimball
Beverly McCord
Verona Morgan
Carol Toussaint

Joyce Erdman
Mary M. Graye
Carla Hagermann
Mardi O’Brien
Helen Vukelich

1985

Marian Bolz
Sue Driscoll
Katherine Lyall
Kit Saunders Nordeen
Sue Wiskowski

1986

Jacqueline Cochran
Gayle Langer
Gail Selk
Maureen Torphy
Rosemary Troia Baker

1987

1988

Mary Breunig
Lenore Landry
Judie Pfiefer
Petie Rudy
Linda Weimer

Susan Hobart
Eunice Meske
Mary K. Rouse
Betty Smith
Emma Zitzer

1989

Jean Manchester Biddick
Dolores Buchler
I. Lorraine Davis
Mary McKenzie Mohs
Elizabeth Spencer
Diane Young Kaav

1990

Mary Ellen Beach-Ela
Jane Coleman
Ida Gear
Virginia Henderson
Sue Herbst
Toya Nelson

1991

Betty Bamforth
Ellen Buck
Sandra Dutch
Fannie Hicklin
Edith Hilliard
Norma Madsen
Margaret Monroe

1992

1993

Alma Baron
Joann Elder
Gloria Jones-Bey
Carla Smith

1994

Marla Ahlgrimm
Friedie Carey
Shelley Peterman Schwarz
Fannie Taylor

Muriel Bissell
Inger Kay
Linda McIsaac
Betty Reneau Rowe
Marjorie Singer Tobias
Carolyn Taylor
Cora White

1995

1996

Anne S. Arnesen
Annrita Lardy
Constance Kilmark
Esther Heffernan
Marge Sutinen
Martha Taylor

Nan Cheney
Joan Gillman
Sharyl Kato-Nilson
Mercile Lee
Judith Ward
Hermetta Williams

1997

Tammy Baldwin
Deloris Bell
Amy DeBower
Robin Douthitt
Mary Moen
Donna Marie Robinson
Sister Mary David Walgenbach

1998

1999

Nan Brian
Jean Davis
Joyce Dismuke
Betty Franklin-Hammonds
Kay Lindblade
Hannah Rosenthal

2000

Barbara Arnold
Mary Kay Baum
Linda Farley
Leslie Ann Howard
Helene Nelson
Vicki Washington

Andrea-Teresa Arenas
Holly Cremer Berkenstadt
Doris J. Hanson
Kathleen A. Kelly
Sadie M. Pearson
Judith Wilcox

2001

2002

Betty Barrientos
Molly Carnes
Nancy Christy
Ann Haney
Frances Huntley-Cooper
Sue Ann Thompson

Marion Brown
Hermine Davidson
Louise Root-Robbins
Andrea Potter
Mary Louise Symon
Martha Vukelich-Austin

2003

2004

Marilyn Beach
Michelle Behnke
Charlie Daniel
Gloria Sarto
Kathleen Woit
Florence Zmudzinski

2005

Shiva Bidar-Sielaff
Connie Ferris Bailey
Martha Gaines
Gwedolyn Jones
Lindsay McClernan
Jeanan Yasiri

Elizabeth Barnhill
Nancy Giffey
Jo Handelsman
Sharron Hubbard-Moyer
Carmen Skilton
Barbara Snell

2006

2007

Eve Galanter
Rita Kehl
Gloria Ladson-Billings
Margold S. Melli
Anne E. Ross
Mai Zong Vue

Marcia Anderson
Theola Carter
Mary Breunig
Mary P. Burke
Vera Riley
Cheryl Rosen Weston

2008

2009

Brenda Brown
Sharon Chamberlain
Iris Christenson
Jeanette Schreier
Mary Lang Sollinger

2010

Bettsey Lutz Barhorst
Betty Harris Custer
Annette Miller
Carola Peterson-Gaines
Kathy Price

Fabiola Hamdan
Anne Hartwig
Gloria Hawkins
Lisa Kvistad
Marion Morgan

2011

Frances Bicknell
Fabu Phillis Carter
Naomi Carter
Karen Christianson
Nan Cnare
Sarah Gillmore

2012

Betty Banks
Andreal Davis
Tehmina Islam
Salli Martyniak
Becky Steinhoff
Mona Adams Winston

2013

Sadat Abiri
Emily Auerbach
Dawn Crim
Sally Miley
Laurel Rice
Teresa Téllez-Girón

2014

2015

Hershey Barnett-Bridges
Nia Enemuoh-Trammell
Lilada Gee
Enid Glenn
Beth Kille
Renee Moe

Gina Carter
Deidre Green
Sherry Lucille
Stephanie Nash
Corinda Rainey-Moore
Mary Strickland, CFP

2016

Keetra Burnette
Robin Dalton
JoAnn Gruber-Hagen
Therese Gulbransen
Dr. Joann Pritchett
Angela Russell

2017

2018

Jacquelyn Boggess
Silvia Gomez de Soriano
Lynn Green
Carolyn Morgan
Nichelle Nichols
Rep. Shelia Stubbs
Annie Weatherby-Flowers
Marisela Gomez Castellanos

2019

Barbara Katz
Libby Lee
Kay Simmons
Alondra Quechol

2020

Women of Distinction was not held during the COVID-19 Pandemic. During this time, we celebrated the community and support that was given during the pandemic.

Jannet Arenas-Pineda
Roxie Hentz
Jacquelyn Hunt
Adrian Jones
Jenny Pressman
Nasra Wehelie

2021

2022

Christy Clark-Pujara, Ph.D.
Brenda Gonzalez
Andrea Jones
Candace McDowell
Lucia Nuñez
Dr. Hazel Symonette

Jasmin Banks
Alex Lindenmeyer
Dr. Christina Outlay
Lisa Peyton-Caire
Nancy Saíz
Rosa Thompson

2023

2024

Keena Atkinson
Charlotte Cummins
Kristie Goforth
Efrat Livny
ananda de oliveira mirilli
Jan Miyasaki
Carolyn Stanford Taylor

Prenicia Clifton
Cindy Diaz
Brandi Grayson
Alexis London
Hedi Rudd
Karen Menéndez Coller, PhD
Dr. Martha Stacker

2025

Vanessa McDowell-Atlas
Jael Currie
Colleen Butler
Nancy Wrenn Bauch
Monica Mims

2026