2023 Women to Watch
byOur 12 Women to Watch represent individuals who are community changemakers, leaders and creative thinkers with ideas that can shape entire industries.
W2W
Mercury Stardust: The Empowering DIYer
byMercury Stardust calls herself a virtual maintenance technician and something of a self-help guide. It may seem like an unusual combination, but it’s a space she thrives in.
Yimmuaj Yang: The Steward for BIPOC Farmers
bySince Yimmuaj Yang joined Groundswell Conservancy in 2020, she’s closed the gap between non-white farmers and available farmland.
Erica Halverson: The Actor-Artist Educator
byAs a self-professed “artist academic,” arts educator, author and podcast host Erica Halverson says two tenets guide her work.
Areli Estrada: The Smile-Maker
by“I have lived in Mexico, L.A. and Green Bay … Madison is so unique because of its ability to bring people together and work collaboratively. I have a lot of support, and there are large and influential Black and Latino communities here. That’s why we are able to get so many things done,” says Areli Estrada, executive director of Affordable Dental Care.
Karen Laing: The Caregiving Changemaker
byKaren Laing didn’t set out to become a midwife, lactation consultant or tech CEO when she enrolled in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1989.
Alyson Schaefer: The Teacher-Turned-Changemaker
byAlyson Schaefer barely took a breath between retiring as a physical education and health teacher from the Waunakee School District to founding her own nonprofit, Mental Fitness 4 Teens, and launching a podcast and YouTube channel.
Michelle McGrath: The Youth Advocate
byService has always been a priority for Michelle McGrath, an active member of the Rotary Club since 2007.
Marsha Mansfield: The Uplifting Lawyer
byAs director of LIFT Wisconsin, Marsha Mansfield wants to make legal services accessible to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Rosa Thompson: The Role Model to Black Girls
byTo say Rosa Thompson has impacted the lives of young Black girls in the Madison area is an understatement.
