YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women. Because we know that we cannot empower all women without confronting systemic racism, we act every day by raising awareness of the impacts of institutional and structural racism and by building community among those who work for racial justice.

We believe it's time to be more inclusive in our language and our campaigns. Since 2015, we have invited and inspired countless activists, advocates, and allies to join us in the movement to eliminate racism through our annual Stand Against Racism campaign. The campaign has served its purpose in its eight years running with gatherings that united our efforts against racism, but it is time to be more inclusive with our message as we continue to evolve and learn. While the campaign itself has long united us against racism, we acknowledge that for many, the word “stand” in its name evoked feelings of ableism, exclusivity, and disempowerment. As an organization dedicated to advancing justice for all, it’s our responsibility to ensure that all are included in the movement and inspired to take part in advancing justice in partnership with us. That is why, in 2023, we renamed our annual racial justice campaign Until Justice Just Is.

More event information to come shortly.

Milton

Thursday, May 1, 2025 (10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.)
North Goodridge Park, 20 Parkview Drive, Milton, WI 53563
Keynote Speaker: Paquita Purnell

YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women. Because we know that we cannot empower all women without confronting systemic racism, we act every day by raising awareness of the impacts of institutional and structural racism and by building community among those who work for racial justice.

We believe it's time to be more inclusive in our language and our campaigns. Since 2015, we have invited and inspired countless activists, advocates, and allies to join us in the movement to eliminate racism through our annual Stand Against Racism campaign. The campaign has served its purpose in its eight years running with gatherings that united our efforts against racism, but it is time to be more inclusive with our message as we continue to evolve and learn. While the campaign itself has long united us against racism, we acknowledge that for many, the word “stand” in its name evoked feelings of ableism, exclusivity, and disempowerment. As an organization dedicated to advancing justice for all, it’s our responsibility to ensure that all are included in the movement and inspired to take part in advancing justice in partnership with us. That is why, in 2023, we renamed our annual racial justice campaign Until Justice Just Is.

Since 1975, the YWCA Rock County Women of Distinction Awards has honored more than 275 individuals and organizations who have improved women’s lives through community service, professional achievement, integrity, leadership and dedication to the well-being of others.

The YWCA Rock County is pleased to announce its 50th Annual Women of Distinction Awards will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 5:30pm at the Glen Erin Golf Club/Celtic House in Janesville.

The event recognizes women, young women and businesses or organizations who serve as outstanding role models for others in Rock County. The YWCA presents Women of Distinction Awards and Young Women of Distinction Awards (21 and younger) to women and young women who have shown strong achievement in their work and personal lives, and who have given back to their communities in the spirit of the advancement of other women. Many have been trailblazers in their professions, pathfinders for social justice, or young women on the rise, bringing forth key issues facing Rock County women and girls.

The 2025 Women of Distinction honorees are:

• Barbara McCrory, Judge: Rock County

• Brittany Keyes, Clean Air Coordinator: Healthy Climate Wisconsin

• Carmen Roche, Officer: Janesville Police Department

• Patricia Majeed, Professional Barber: Clippers and Curls

• Silvia Donday-Selenske, VP, Bilingual Loan Officer: PremierBank

• Young Woman: Niah Holmes, Student: Craig High School

The recipients will be honored at the 50th annual Women of Distinction event on May 7th, 2025 at the Celtic House at Glen Erin Golf Club. The event raises funds for YWCA Rock County’s Domestic Violence Programs.

Tickets are $80 each or $640 for a table of 8 and are available to purchase by visiting: https://ywcarockcounty.networkforgood.com/events/82888-women-of-distinction-event-tickets

Unable to attend but interested in making a donation to the event? You can do so directly here: https://ywcarockcounty.networkforgood.com/projects/242832-2025-women-of-distinction-donation-page

YWCA Rock County is also excited to announce that Shar Hermanson will be the 2025 Emcee. Shar Hermanson is the President and CEO of Forward Janesville, Janesville’s Chamber of Commerce and leader in private sector economic development. Hermanson and the Forward Janesville team help local businesses and organizations grow by helping them make meaningful community connections, providing access to business resources and amplifying their marketing. They also work on initiatives that ensure Janesville and Rock County are the premier choice for your business, your employees and their families.

Some of the highlights from Hermanson’s first year leading Forward Janesville include: the Keep Kids Learning campaign to educate local voters about the impacts of local school referendums; the launch of a Business Retention and Expansion program aimed to gain valuable data about the local business climate; and growing Forward Janesville’s membership by 20% to include more than 600 local businesses.

Prior to joining Forward Janesville, Hermanson served in multiple executive-level sales and management roles in media and digital marketing, including our local radio stations and The Gazette right here in Janesville. Hermanson previously served on the YWCA Board of Directors, was a leader in the fundraising group Girls Night Out of Rock County and was a Forward Janesville Ambassador.

Join us on June 13th, 2025 to benefit YWCA Rock County’s CARE House.

Your participation will support an essential community service. Since 1993, YWCA CARE House has provided professional and compassionate care to thousands of child victims of physical and sexual abuse or neglect.

The CARE House provides forensic interviews with a multidisciplinary team so children only have to tell their painful story once, which is digitally recorded, eliminating duplicate interviews and/or the trauma of facing an abuser in court.

YWCA Rock County is a driving force for change in our community. For over 100 years, our mission of empowering women and eliminating racism has been strengthened and tested. The charge of the Racial Justice program is to foster on-going discussion, community activities and trainings focused on a range of topics pertaining to race, privilege and human rights.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, federal US troops arrived in Galveston, Texas carrying the message of the emancipation proclamation which declared that enslaved people were now free. President Joseph R. Biden signed into law a bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.

Join us online from your home, school or office, as presenters offer insight into supporting diverse populations here in our community and beyond.

All sessions of the conference will be recorded by YWCA Rock County. All other recordings of conference sessions are prohibited.

Reasons to attend:
* Learn how to foster diversity, inclusion, creativity, and growth within your business, school, organization and community from experts in the field.
* Obtain tools, tips and resources to maximize your effectiveness during recruitment and retention process. Build a network of peers and resources and learn how to take action