ENGAGING COMMUNITY

State Rep. Melissa Sargent says she’s “building a Wisconsin that matches what our dreams are for the future of the state.” The Madison Democrat says her passion for championing equality is inspired by her children and her community.

When your baby has colic, any new mom can find it hard to keep up with politics. But struggling was new territory for Emily Kuhn, who has a master’s degree in public policy.

Madison police officer Emily Samson is redefining Neighborhood Watch with the Good Neighbor Project. Samson began flipping the Neighborhood Watch model when she realized some in the community found it over-vigilant and didn’t agree with its guidelines.

For people trapped in the torturous undertow of opioid addiction, true recovery is riddled with obstacles. Dr. Aleksandra Zgierska is working to ensure they can have access to skilled clinicians without being derailed by stigma or jail.

Amy Olejniczak, Associate Director of the Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health and director of the Alliance’s PATCH program, has been raising teen voices and promoting health advocacy since 2010.

Monique Minkens is creating an innovative space where women affected by abuse go “beyond empowerment, to healing and freedom.”

When Alicia Pelton was inducted into the Janesville Sports Hall of Fame in 2011, she reflected on her career in sports as a high school, college and, eventually, professional athlete.