Historical Timeline of Activities (1997–2025)
1997–1999
Public Outreach & Education
- Council revitalized with new staff and members; bylaws and mission updated.
- Council meetings held in La Crosse and Milwaukee
- First Council website launched
- Financial education seminars for women
1999–2001
Financial Literacy & Resource Clearinghouse
- Focus on financial education; developed a “Financial Education Blueprint."
- Published the Wisconsin Women's Resources 2001 directory
- Expanded website as statewide clearinghouse
2001–2003
Public Outreach & Education
- Continued programs: Wardrobes for Working Women, marital property law education, and financial education
- Expanded website and distributed a reprint of the Women's Resources 2001 directory
2003–2005
Rebuilding & Research
- The Council reconvened after a period of inactivity; a new board and Executive Director were appointed
- Wisconsin's first comprehensive Status of Women in Wisconsin Report was published by the Institute for Women's Policy Research with a statewide consortium, including the Council
- Published The Status of Women in Wisconsin Counties: A Research Blueprint
- Online Women's Resource Directory created
- Partner in creating the Women Soar, You Soar camp for high school girls at EAA Air Venture
2005–2007
Research & Women's Leadership
- Research and policy discussions on the demographics of Female Offenders in WI
- Created Wisconsin's first database and report on women in state & local elected office
- Launched Apply to Serve, the first online real-time listing of open seats on state boards and commissions (later moved to the Governor's webpage)
- Released Status of Women in Wisconsin Update (2004 Census Data Update)
- Research partner for Milwaukee Women Inc's benchmark report on women on corporate boards at WI's largest public companies.
- Partnered with Alverno College on the first Status of Girls in Wisconsin report & hosted Legislative Briefing
2007–2009
Women's Business Ownership & STEM & Milestones
- Celebrated the Council's 25th Anniversary at the Governor's Residence with state leaders and past Council members
- Launched Governor's Trailblazer Awards for Women in Business
- Held LEAP! college & career exploration for high school girls, statewide event
- Strengthened partnerships and nonpartisan research
- Convened the first statewide gathering of Wisconsin's Women's
2009–2011
Women's Business Ownership, Jobs & Poverty
- Participated in the development of Wisconsin's Women-Owned Business Enterprise certification Program
- Co-hosted Women, Jobs & Wisconsin's Green Economy roundtable with Women's Bureau, US Department of Labor.
- Produced policy briefs on women & poverty in Wisconsin.
- Held 2010 Governor's Trailblazer Awards
2011–2013
Financial Literacy & Research
- Launched Women & Money initiative, with statewide expert group (brochures, online resources).
- Launched Fast Facts, non-partisan, research-based fact sheets on key women's social and economic indicators.
- Held the 2012 Governor's Trailblazer Awards.
2013–2015
Manufacturing & Women in Elected Office
- Hosted Rosie Revisited: Women & Manufacturing in the 21st Century conference
- Released the 100 Years of Wisconsin Women's Political Firsts poster
- Held the 2014 Governor's Trailblazer Awards
2015–2017
Anti-Human Trafficking Education & Awareness
- Launched statewide public education campaign, Human Trafficking Happens Here, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
- Partnered with Artworks for Freedom and local Women's Funds on traveling outdoor exhibit.
- Published Moving Wisconsin Forward, 10-year trends, women & elected office
- Held 2016 Governor's Trailblazer Awards
2017–2019
Family Caregiving & Research
- Hosted Community Caregiver Dialogues statewide
- Partner in creating the Wisconsin Family & Caregiver Support Alliance
- Partnered on the Status of Women in Northeast Wisconsin Report
- Supported the Status of Girls and Milwaukee Women Inc. research
- Held the 2018 Governor's Trailblazer Awards
2019–2021
Suffrage Centennial & Women's Health
- Researched pandemic impacts on women—especially single mothers and caregivers
- Created Suffrage Centennial website and launched Women Who Inspire campaign
- Released heart health brochures and supported Women's Fund Flash Grants
- Partnered on Milwaukee Women Inc. report and Wisconsin Child Support Guidelines review
2021–2023
Indigenous Women & Women's Health
- Celebrated WWC's 40th Anniversary at the Executive Residence with state leaders
- Co-hosted Wisconsin's first Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls (MMIWG) Day of Awareness events at the Wisconsin state Capitol
- Released the Perinatal Health Inequities report and sponsored the Women in Public Life research
- Partnered on Hmong women's mental health project and Milwaukee Women Inc. research
2023–2025
Public Outreach & Education
- Supported Governor Evers' Year of the Worker with five panels (Trades, Agriculture, Education, Work-Life Balance, Healthcare)
- Hosted financial literacy webinars on investment confidence and retirement planning
- Held Native Women's Leadership Roundtable and ongoing wage equity research
Historical Documents
A Compilation of Archival Women's Council Documents, including a copy of Governor Earl's Executive Order, "Wisconsin Women's Council - A Brief History: 1983-1997" report, and selected press clippings and program materials (103 pages).
Gov Earl Remarks on Signing Executive Order Creating the Women's Council
Wisconsin Governor's Commission on the Status of Women, primarily press clippings, beginning with the Wisconsin Conference on Professional Women (1962), records calling for the first Governor's Conference, announcements on establishing the Commission (1964), and additional topics through June 1968 (245 pages).