Lorena "Hick" Hickok was a journalist during the U.S. Great Depression and a close friend of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Edna Ferber was a short story writer, playwright, and Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist who portrayed strong women characters.

Electa "Wuhwehweeheemeew" Quinney was Wisconsin's first public schoolteacher.

Mee Moua was the first Hmong American to be elected to a state legislature in the U.S.

Ellen Kort was Wisconsin’s first poet laureate.