County: Milwaukee

Maud Swett

As director of the Woman and Child Labor Division within the Wisconsin Industrial Commission, Maud Swett enforced labor laws, improving working conditions for women and children.

Nancy Oestreich Lurie

Nancy Oestreich Lurie was a renowned anthropologist and museum curator, known best for her work with the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin.

Josie Carter

Josie Carter led Wisconsin’s first known LGBTQ+ uprising, eight years before the Stonewall riots.

Hildegarde Sell

Hildegarde Sell was one of the first international music stars and is known as one of the best cabaret singers of all time.

Judy Greenspan

Judy Greenspan is a lifelong activist, known for being one of the first out lesbian political candidates in the United States.

Kashoua Kristy Yang

Kashoua Kristy Yang is the first Hmong person to be elected without appointment as a judge in the U.S. and the first Asian American judge elected without appointment in Wisconsin.

JoCasta Zamarripa

JoCasta Zamarripa was the first Latina and first out bisexual member of the Wisconsin State Legislature and Milwaukee Common Council.

Gwen T. Jackson

Gwen T. Jackson dedicated her life to serving others and volunteered for the American Red Cross for more than half a century.
Image description: A black-and-white photo of Lucinda Gordon.

Lucinda Gordon

Lucinda Gordon was a civil rights activist who founded an alternative school for teen mothers and advocated for Black art in Milwaukee.
Image description: A headshot of Angela Lang.

Angela Lang

Angela Lang is a community organizer in Milwaukee and the founder and executive director of Black Leaders Organizing for Communities.