Archives

Image description: A black-and-white photo of Ruth Harman Walraven standing in front of a plane.

Ruth Harman Walraven

Ruth Harman Walraven was a trailblazing female pilot in the mid-20th century.
Image description: A headshot of Ramona Villarreal.

Ramona Villarreal

Ramona Villarreal is a Mexican American activist who has devoted her life to fighting for equality and justice for people with Mexican/Latinx heritage in Wisconsin.
Image description: A black-and-white headshot of Dorothy Walker.

Dorothy Walker

Trial lawyer Dorothy Walker was the first female district attorney in Wisconsin.
Image description: A portrait-style photo of Chia Youyee Vang.

Chia Youyee Vang

Chia Youyee Vang is a leading advocate for Hmong cultural preservation and education.
Image description: A black-and-white headshot of Helen Van Vechten.

Helen Van Vechten

Helen Van Vechten co-owned the Philosopher Press in Wausau and became an expert in hand-printing books.
Image description: An artistic depiction of Emma Toft’s side profile.

Emma Toft

Emma Toft is known as “Wisconsin’s First Lady of Conservation” for her efforts to save an ancient forest in Door County from being destroyed by logging and commercial development.
Image description: A black-and-white photo of Betsy Thunder wearing her traditional clothing.

Betsy Thunder

Betsy Thunder was a respected Ho-Chunk medicine woman known for her skill in making remedies from roots and plants.
Image description: A portrait-style photo of Sheri Swokowski with her chin in her left hand.

Sheri Swokowski

Transgender advocate Sheri Swokowski, a former colonel in the U.S. Army, has worked to end discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
Image description: A black-and-white headshot of Doris Thom.

Doris Thom

Doris Thom, who helped open higher-paying jobs to women in Wisconsin, was the first woman to hold leadership positions in her local labor unions.
Image description: A black-and-white headshot of Lutie Eugenia Stearns.

Lutie Eugenia Stearns

Lutie Stearns, “the Johnny Appleseed of books,” started free libraries all over Wisconsin and was an outspoken advocate for social justice.