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Wisconsin Women in Government honored the first-ever Tribal Women of Distinction at its 21^st Annual banquet at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison on Thursday, April 10, 2008. The banquet featured best-selling author and inspirational international child rights advocate Jenna Bush as its keynote speaker.

“For the first time, we are proud to honor an amazing group of Tribal women who have been trailblazers in their communities,” said Katie Walby, President of the WWIG Board of Directors. “The Tribal Women of Distinction Awards honor women from Wisconsin’s Tribes who have been leaders and role models in their communities.”

Each year, WWIG honors women who have been trailblazers in a certain sector of government with a First Woman Award. This year, the organization has chosen to honor a woman from each of Wisconsin's 11 tribes with the “Tribal Women of Distinction” Award. WWIG solicited nominations from Tribal leaders and those in government service.

Each year, WWIG also dedicates a portion of the banquet’s proceeds to support an annual legislative internship in honor of Bonnie Reese. Reese was the first woman to head a major state agency and helped shape state policy as Executive Director of the Legislative Council. This year’s scholarship recipient, Ashley Quackenboss of Fond du Lac, received a $4,000 stipend from WWIG and will have the opportunity to work at the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau.

The banquet also paid special tribute to Dennis Dresang, a UW-Madison professor of political science and public affairs and the La Follette faculty member who helped develop the Wisconsin Women in Government Graduate Seminar program with WWIG board members nearly 10 years ago. Dresang, who joined the UW faculty in 1969 and was the founding director of the La Follette School, will retire in January 2009. This was Professor Dresang’s last year as one of the major presenters at the seminar.

“Without Dennis Dresang’s enthusiasm, energy, and planning, the Graduate Seminar program would not have gotten off the ground,” Walby said. “Dennis Dresang has long been a strong advocate for advancing the status of women and a strong supporter of Wisconsin Women in Government. We thank him for his commitment to helping advance the careers of so many dedicated, talented women in government.”

Jenna Bush to Keynote WWIG Banquet

Jenna Bush will keynote Wisconsin Women in Government's 21^st Annual Scholarship Recognition Banquet on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison.

“Through her best-selling book, Jenna Bush is raising awareness about children in need and motivating people of all ages to make a difference in the fight against poverty, abuse, and HIV/AIDS,” said Katie Walby, President of the Board of Wisconsin Women in Government. “Jenna Bush is a tireless advocate for millions who suffer around the world, and we are thrilled to have her keynote this year’s banquet.”

Jenna Bush, the daughter of President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush, became an inspirational international child rights advocate during her internship with UNICEF in 2006. Traveling throughout Latin America, Bush documented the lives of children and teens living in poverty and exclusion by listening to their stories and speaking to them in their native Spanish.

In her New York Times bestseller, Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope, Bush tells the story of one woman's life challenges, including secrets, abuse, illness, and disease. Ana, a 17-year-old single mother living with HIV, inspired Bush to put a face on the hardships millions around the world deal with every day. Prior to her time in Latin America, Bush was an elementary school teacher in Washington, D.C.

Individual banquet tickets are on sale now for $65 and can be purchased online at www.WiscWomenInGovernment.org. Those interested in attending can also call (608) 848-2321 for more information. Sponsorships are also available. The banquet will begin with a networking reception at 5:00 p.m. The dinner and program will begin at 7:00 p.m., with the keynote address scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

Wisconsin Women in Government’s annual dinner is the premier bipartisan political event in Wisconsin, attended by more than 1,000 state and local elected officials, business leaders, public servants, and political enthusiasts.

Governor Doyle Seeks Nominations for Virginia Hart Awards

MADISON – Nominations are being sought for the prestigious award that recognizes the contributions and achievements of women in Wisconsin state government – the Virginia Hart Special Recognition Award administered by the Office of State Employment Relations. Virginia Hart was Wisconsin’s first woman Cabinet secretary, and friends and colleagues established a fund after her retirement in 1983 to annually recognize the contributions of a woman in state government.

“From our Lieutenant Governor to our Supreme Court Chief Justice to countless legislators, Wisconsin women are playing key leadership roles for our state,” Governor Doyle said. “We need to recognize the hard work and talent of women in state government, and pay tribute to their great achievements.”

The Governor urges state workers to nominate women who are making a difference in state government. Nominations may be made by anyone, and are accepted through March 20, 2008. Nominees can be in classified or unclassified service, and from any part of the state. Limited-term employees and employees of the Legislature and University are not eligible.

For more information, contact Dee Surillo in the Office of State Employment Relations at (608) 266-9820 or Dominga.Surillo@Wisconsin.gov.

WWIG Announces 2008 Graduate Seminar Recipients

MADISON – Wisconsin Women in Government announced today 24 women have received scholarships and are participating in the seventh annual public policy Graduate Seminar program.

Offered in cooperation with the La Follette Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the goal of WWIG’s Graduate Seminar is to give management and leadership training to women currently working in state and local government and to women working in the private sector who interact with government.

The six-week course began January 26 and ends February 19. As part of the program, a panel of professional women will discuss their careers and what it takes to be an effective woman manager at an event open to the public on Wednesday, February 13 at the Pyle Center (Alumni Lounge) located at 702 Langdon Street on the UW-Madison campus. The event begins with a wine and cheese reception at 5:30 p.m., with the panel beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The Graduate Seminar is a program fully funded by Wisconsin Women in Government and offered in cooperation with the La Follette Institute of Public Affairs at UW-Madison. It is funded through an annual banquet fundraiser, attended by more than 1,500 state and local elected officials, business leaders, public servants, and political enthusiasts. WWIG has raised money to support and encourage women to choose a career in government service since 1987, and each year awards scholarships to women pursuing undergraduate and post-graduate study in public service and administration and government affairs. WWIG also provides a scholarship to the young woman selected “Governor” at Badger Girls State.

WWIG Announces New President, Board of Directors

MADISON – Wisconsin Women in Government announced today nine new members to the 2007-08 Board of Directors, along with the organization’s new leadership team.

The new board members are:

* Ayla Annac, Southwest Regional Director, Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network
* Angela Arrington, Attorney, Department of Regulation and Licensing
* Annie Early, Public Relations Adviser, Martin Schreiber & Associates, Inc.
* Jessica Erickson, Communications Director, Department of Workforce Development
* Kathryn Kuhn, Associate Vice President of Government Affairs, Medical College of Wisconsin
* Kirsten Kukowski, Communications Director, Republican Party of Wisconsin
* Cheryl Lytle, Events Director, Wisconsin Grocers Association
* Kristin Ruesch, Legislative Aide, Office of State Rep. Phil Montgomery
* State Rep. Patricia Strachota, Wisconsin State Assembly

New leadership for this year’s Board of Directors includes: President Kathleen (Katie) Walby, Foley & Lardner, LLP; Vice President Eileen Pierce, Department of Natural Resources; Secretary Amy Boyer, Hamilton Consulting Group; and Treasurer Grace Cudney, Department of Health & Family Services.

“Once again, we have assembled a terrific group of professional women who I know will help us build on the tremendous success of last year’s banquet,” said WWIG President Walby. “WWIG has come a long way over the past 20 years, and we have a great team in place to help us build on that success and increase our support of women pursuing careers in government service.”

Returning board members are: Past President Darcy Luoma, Office of U.S. Senator Herb Kohl; Ruth Anderson, UW System Administration; Tanya Bjork, EMILY’S List; Pam Christenson, Wisconsin Department of Commerce; Heather Clefisch, Lafollette, Godfrey & Kahn; State Rep. Tamara Grigsby, Wisconsin State Assembly; Rebecca Larson, Xcel Energy; and Shannon Loredo, Office of Governor Jim Doyle.

Former WWIG Board Member Laurie Dies Joins Wisconsin Academy

Former WWIG President and Board Member Laurie Dies has joined the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters as Director of Special Events.

“Laurie’s proven planning and organizational skills will be invaluable in helping us carry out our strategic vision,” says executive director Margaret Lewis.

Before joining the Wisconsin Academy, Dies was special assistant to the University of Wisconsin System president and vice president, where she planned and executed numerous events including four Wisconsin Economic Summits. In addition, she served as executive assistant to former Wisconsin Senator Brian Rude.

Former WWIG Board Member Sue Schultz this year's Mrs. Oktoberfest

Sue Schultz, a former WWIG Board Member and a 2003 WWIG UW LaFollette graduate scholarship recipient, has been named Mrs. Oktoberfest 2007.

A longtime volunteer, Schultz was nominated and selected because of her extensive community and volunteer involvement and overall go-getter attitude.