History of the Project

The Wisconsin Women Making History project originated from a national, multi-year PBS/Independent Television Service initiative entitled “Women and Girls Lead.” Initially led by the University of Wisconsin Women’s and Gender Studies Consortium and PBS Wisconsin, the project used documentary films to illustrate the profound effects women and girls can have on society when they lead in business, politics, science, and the arts. As that initiative came to an end, we realized the need and desire for a more permanent home to share the stories and experiences of women history makers in Wisconsin.

To that end, the WGS Consortium and PBS Wisconsin were joined by the University of Wisconsin Office of the Gender & Women’s Studies Librarian (GWSL), Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Humanities Council, and the Media Education Foundation to develop the website that launched in 2015 with 75 profiles. Since that time, the database has grown to over 135 entries and continues to expand regularly.

The Office of the GWSL now coordinates the project. With partner input and support, we consider nominations, conduct research, write, edit, fact-check, and post new profiles each month.

Many thanks to the original Advisory Board of Wisconsin Women Making History, which comprised experts and leaders from across the state who considered nominations and helped guide the project’s direction.

  • Teresa Arenas, Faculty Associate, UW-Madison, Director, Service Learning and Community-Based Research Initiative ~ Somos Latinas History Project Coordinator
  • Helen Bannan, Historian, Emeritus Director of the UW-Oshkosh Women’s Studies program
  • Nicolle Burke, Sun Prairie School District Educational Instructional Leader
  • Priscilla Pardini, Author and former education reporter for The Milwaukee Journal
  • Zohreh Ghavamshahidi, Professor of Political Science and Women’s Studies, UW-Whitewater
  • Gwynne Kennedy, Professor of English, UW-Milwaukee
  • Genevieve G. McBride, Professor of History, UW-Milwaukee, and author of On Wisconsin Women: Working for Their Rights from Settlement to Suffrage
  • Susan Rensing, Associate Professor of History of Science, UW-Oshkosh
  • Karla Strand, Gender and Women’s Studies Librarian, UW-Madison
  • Martha Taylor, Vice President, Principal Gifts and Women’s Philanthropy, University of Wisconsin Foundation, and co-founder of the UW Foundation’s Women’s Philanthropy Council
  • Jodi Vandenberg-Davis, Professor of Women’s Studies and History, UW-La Crosse
  • Yvonne ‘Ivy’ Vanio, photographer/filmmaker, and Multicultural Student Services Specialist, UW-Superior
  • Mai Zong Vue, MSSW, InterCultural Program Coordinator, State of Wisconsin, Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
  • Phyllis Holman Weisbard, Emeritus UW System Women’s and Gender Studies Librarian