Women’s History Month Recognition

 

Women: Builders of Communities and Dreams honors the spirit of possibility and hope set in motion by generations of women in their creation of communities and their encouragement of dreams. AAUW-Tomah Branch celebrates National Women’s History Month with the Mary E. Wedin Women’s History Month Recognition Reception. It is is held every March to honor the vision, accomplishments, and sacrifices of women in our communities.  Sharing the stories of women’s success, talent, and accomplishments expands the sense of what is possible for girls and women.

“Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing the Be Silenced”

-Article written by Julia Palmer

March is National Women’s History Month. This year, 2021, marks the 41st anniversary of this important celebration. National Women’s History Month reminds the nation of the need to recognize the accomplishments and sacrifices of women.  It is the story of how women built communities, inspired and nurtured dreams, and how they continue to do so.  Our history is our strength.  To address the absence of information about women in America, the National Women’s History Project led a movement to have Congress designate a celebration to recognize women’s historic achievements.  The goal was to ensure that our children’s education would include information about the innumerable ways women have changed America.  In 1980, President Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation calling on the American people to remember the contributions of women.  In 1987, Congress and the President declared March as Women’s History Month.

The theme for Women’s History Month this year recognizes the tenacious women of the suffrage movement, “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing the Be Silenced”.  Their determination resulted in the passage of the 19th Amendment to our constitution in 1920.  The 19th amendment mandates “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.”  Our state – Wisconsin-was the first to ratify this amendment.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW), Tomah Branch, has been proud to recognize outstanding women of our community at the Mary E. Wedin Women’s History Month Celebration.  Sharing the stories of women’s success, talent and accomplishments expands the sense of what is possible for girls and women.  Women’s history becomes a story of inspiration and hope.  It is a story of courage and tenacity, a story of promise, possibility and purpose.

This year we remember especially Mary E. Wedin (1926-2004).  Mary was a founding member of the American Association of University Women – Tomah Branch in 1972 and was passionate in promoting Women’s History Month.  Mary was an educator, organizer and an exceptional leader.  She lived to learn.  She not only loved facts, she loved to search for the meaning behind those facts.  Most of all, she lived to share and teach.  Beside her membership in AAUW, she was a member of the Home Community Education Association, Homemakers clubs in Monroe County and the Methodist Church. She served on the CAP board, Monroe County Women’s Advisory Group, Women’s History Month Committee, the Domestic Violence Task Force, and the Monroe County Board of Supervisors.  Mary became a mentor for every individual with whom she worked and every group she joined.  Her expertise gave Monroe County the opportunity to become a pilot county for the State Expanded Food and Nutrition Program.  As Monroe County Home Economist, she taught area women about the Wisconsin Marital Property law, feminine finances, balancing work and family, consumer protection laws, networking and women’s health issues.  She shared information on nutrition, edible wild plants, gardening, food preservation and safety.  She encouraged personal conservation practices, recycling and leadership development.  She shared all that was new and important for women, families and the community to know.  She worked with young families, seniors, 4-H members and high school students.   Mary’s estate funds an annual scholarship through the Methodist Church.

When the Domestic Violence Law was passed, she not only taught women about the law but also arranged a program for county law enforcement and judges to learn the implications of the law.

Mary was a role model for what she taught.   She recycled everything, drove an economical automobile, practiced conservation and preservation, participated in government and political action, thrived on life-long learning, and was always generous with encouragement, praise, and appreciation.  Mary left our entire Monroe County population better because she was here.  We remember Mary Wedin with love and pride.

The American Association of University Women salutes the countless women throughout our community and our country who contribute to its growth and history.  We find these women in The Arts; Education, Health and Science; Business; Human Relations/Faith in action; and Communications. We applaud the women in Law and Government, Nonprofit management, and volunteerism.  And, most importantly, we ask that you join with AAUW members to reflect on and appreciate the women in our daily lives who champion every aspect of life as it effects each one of us.

The AAUW-Tomah Branch recognizes the many contributions made by its Women’s History Month honorees:

2020:

  • Martha Klatt – Tomah
  • Lisa McCormick – Tomah
  • Sharon Seely – Tomah

2019:

  • Jianona Ng
  • MaryJo Hill
  • Tina Thompson

2018:

  • Anna Mae Rudolph – Tomah
  • Nancy VanderMeer – Tomah
  • Wendy Patterson – Tomah

2017:

  • Susan Holmes – Tomah
  • Judy Johnson Faulkner – Tomah
  • Melanie Marshall – Tomah

2016:

  • Priscilla Cleveland – Tomah
  • Sharel Martin – Tomah
  • Julia Palmer – Tomah

2015:

  • Bernice Helming – Tomah
  • Jenny Parker – Tomah

2014:

  • Bonnie Peterson – Oakdale
  • Phyllis Schneider – Tomah
  • Lyda Lanier – Toman

2013:

  • Sue Geurkink – Tomah
  • Eve Heitsman – Sparta
  • Karen Raap – Tomah

2012:

  • Laura Bishop – Tomah
  • Tammy Hewuse – Tomah
  • Mary Masters – Tomah

2011:

  • Judy Deming – Tomah
  • Melisa Ladd Thideman – Tomah

2010:

  • Irma Keller – Tomah
  • Dr. Patricia Raftery – Sparta

2009:

  • Sara Beck – Tomah
  • Sharon Larkin – Tomah

2008:

  • Rose Berry – Tomah
  • Ellen Carmichael – Tomah
  • LaVerne Cramer – Tomah
  • Carolyn Hableman – Warrens/Marco Island, FL
  • Sharon Powell – Tomah

2007:

  • Peggy Paape – Tomah
  • Nona Smith – Tomah
  • Marcia Staton – Tomah
  • Nodji Van Wychen – Warrens
  • Mary Wedin – Camp Douglas

2006:

  • Carol Bursinger – Tomah
  • Betty Cronin – Camp Douglas
  • Velma Hockenberry – Tomah
  • Mary Ellen Justinger – Tomah
  • Jean Lessor – Tomah
  • June Potter – Warrens
  • Cindy Zahrte – Warrens