Gwen T. Jackson dedicated her life to serving others and volunteered for the American Red Cross for more than half a century.

Lucinda Gordon was a civil rights activist who founded an alternative school for teen mothers and advocated for Black art in Milwaukee.

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

Milele Chikasa Anana was the first Black school board member in Wisconsin and the longtime editor and publisher of the magazine UMOJA.

Nellie Y. McKay was one of the first scholars to bring attention to the writing of African American women authors.

Trained as a lawyer and committed to equity, Danae Davis is passionate about “success for every child, in every school, from cradle to career.”

Nellie Wilson spent her life fighting for employment opportunities for women and was the first African American woman to hold a leadership position in her local steelworkers union.

Vel Phillips achieved many firsts, including first woman and first African American to be elected to the statewide office of secretary of state.

At age 16, Caroline Quarlls was the first known person to escape slavery through Wisconsin’s Underground Railroad network.

Barbara Nichols was the first African American president of the Wisconsin Nursing Association and of the American Nursing Association.