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About Us
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Introduction
The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) gave our state a low C- grade for the status of Wisconsin women. An influential group of women leaders from around the state determined the report should be used to inform private practice and drive better public policy.
These women gave shape to Wisconsin Women = Prosperity (WW=P), an economic development initiative committed to raising the grade for Wisconsin . WW=P has evolved into a broadband movement whose very existence catalyzes progress for women in diverse situations, inviting citizens to make their own contributions toward raising the grade for Wisconsin ‘s women.
An unprecedented team of leaders, with the full support of Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton, challenged the citizens of Wisconsin to address four key issues:
Project leaders then conducted an assessment of these issues through the work of
13 statewide Open Forums, and
a Leadership Symposium
which brought together more than 150 issues experts from government, academic, civic, human service and grassroots organizations.
UW Madison’s Lafollette School for Public Affairs contributed continuous research related to the work of the Task Forces. This work has resulted in a statewide strategy to address our 4 issues with recommendations described in our 12 Take Action Papers – the inspiring agenda that is the outcome of all earlier assessment and planning.
The Take Action agenda for raising the grade for Wisconsin women provided the focus for WW=P’s Corporate Advisory Summit and our first Wisconsin Women Forward Convention (both in March, 2005) drawing over 800 women from across the state. With the creation of WW=P, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit corporation, the project entered the challenging phase of continued growth and focused development, especially at the regional level. Approximately 12 Regional Solutions Networks were organized by project leaders to convene and create strategies for raising the grade in every area of our state.
Early support for WW=P was provided by the Wisconsin Women’s Network, the University of Wisconsin LaFollette School for Public Affairs, Chamberlain Research Consultants, the Milwaukee Women’s Fund, and the Pettit Foundation. For the first two years of the initiative, Lynde Uihlein supported project coordination by leadership strategist and demographics consultant, Pat Alea.
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When women thrive, Wisconsin thrives!
Our Mission
Wisconsin Women = Prosperity will build a sustainable economy in Wisconsin
- by empowering women to make their best contributions in corporate, political and civic life
- by building a collaborative statewide network among women and allied men
- and forging ties with the broadest range of public and private partners.
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Our Vision
We represent a new democratic model dedicated to building power for women of every economic status, every age, and every ethnicity. We offer a compelling opportunity to participate in transforming all institutions through the creation of solutions that dismantle barriers to gender equity and guarantee full economic participation for women.
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Wisconsin Women = Prosperity understands the goal of prosperity to mean
- the ability to feed, clothe, house, educate and nurture yourself and your family and
- have that extra personal power or social capital that allows you to make a contribution to your community as well.
We work to make prosperity a reality for all women in Wisconsin.
(Read more on Prosperity - The Issues)
Current Strategic Priorities
- Organizational development to strengthen leadership, resources and expertise
- Statewide outreach to create and strengthen prosperity-building networks
- Communication, alignment, and analysis of policy priorities
- Creation of ad hoc committees to take further action
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Actions and Progress:
Our Five-Year Record: In the past several years, WW=P has formed a strategic alliance with Wisconsin Women’s Council (WWC) to address the needs of grassroots women throughout our state. Both WWC & WW=P work to support and advance regional work, connect grassroots women, and provide leadership development training. The strengths of WWC is its state-wide organizational connections and great data resource and research. WW=P’s strengths are its fundraising capability and its grassroots networks.
The two organizations work to collaborate with Regional Solutions Networks (RSN’s) such as those in Fond du Lac, Janesville, Kenosha, Madison, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Rhinelander and Wausau, among others. These groups are providing key assistance to women in areas as diverse as mental health parity, domestic violence prevention, economic empowerment, advancement of STEM curricula for young women, and leadership and political participation, etc.
Working together, we act as a clearinghouse of grassroots groups to inform of events, training and opportunities for women, as well as provide organizational support and networking.
The organizations collaborate with other groups such as AAUW, YWCA, Wisconsin Wommen in Higher Education Leadership, Women’s Business Enterprises, Women’s Health Initiatives, Women’s Funds, Women’s Leadership Institue, and Women’s Business and Professional organizations.
Two of the signature programs of WW=P are LEAP and Wisconsin Women Forward. For more information, please visit
http://www.wiwep.org/Main/Prosperity
WW=P, Inc, Board of Directors
- Linda Vanden Plas, President
- Katy Sommer, CPA, Treasurer (Ritz, Holman, Butala, Fine, LLP)
- Yvonne Lumsden-Dill Secretary, RSN Coordinator, Board Member (Women’s Leadership Initiative, Mount Mary College )
- Barbara Wyatt-Sibley Board Member (Deputy Secretary,State of Wisconsin, Dept. of Regulation and Licensing, Madison)
- Brenda Halminiak Board Member (Rhinelander WW=P Convener)
Your Board In Action….
Board Meeting - Waukesha, WI 
Board Meeting - Madison 2010 
Board Meeting - Madison 2010 
Board Meeting - Madison 2010 
Board Meeting - Madison 2010 
Board Meeting - Madison 2010
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