Status of Women

UW-Extension 4-H integrates research, education, and community-based partnerships, enabling youth to learn and practice skills to be productive citizens. 4-H is a youth organization that belongs to the members, their families and other interested adults who serve as volunteer leaders. In 4-H, young people share, grow, and learn together from various projects, events, and activities in informal situations under the guidance of their families and other leaders. Target Audience: Racine & Kenosha County youth in kindergarten through age 19

4-H programs teach young people to…

• Develop and test practical living skills in a safe and supportive “real world” environment.
• Become actively engaged in their communities and better informed about local issues.
• Prepare for the world of work through direct experience with projects and activities that correspond to future career opportunities.
• Experience success in a non-formal learning environment.
• Develop communication and problem-solving skills through public presentation and group work

Contact information:

Racine:

Pamela Larson
Positive Youth Development Extension Educator
Extension Racine County, University of Wisconsin-Madison
pamela.larson@ces.uwex.edu
pamela.larson@racinecounty.com
(262)767-2929

Kenosha:

Bethany Sorce
4-H Program Assistant
Kenosha County UW-Extension
19600 75th Street, #2
Bristol, WI 53104
262-857-1945

• The Simple Truth of The Gender Pay Gap 
• Graduating to a Pay Gap 
• Student debt burden for women 
• Broken Ladders: Barriers to Women’s Representation in Nonprofit Leadership 
• Bias and Barriers – Leadership Gap
• Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School  
• Where the Girls Are: The Facts about Gender Equity in Education 

AAUW has a wide variety of initiatives and programs, including: 

• Research – analyzing gender equity issues in education and the workplace, including pay equity, barriers to women in leadership, women and girls in STEM, sexual harassment, etc.  www.aauw.org what we do research
• Public Policy – the public policy priorities of AAUW consist of specific policies to (1) support a strong system of public education that promotes gender fairness, equity, and diversity; (2) achieve economic and self-sufficiency for all women; (3) guarantee equality, individual rights and social justice for a diverse society. www.aauw.org resource principles and priorities
• Legal Advocacy – AAUW works to challenge sex discrimination in higher education and the workplace. Its resources range from community outreach programs to backing major cases. www.aauw.org what we do legal resources
• STEM Education – AAUW has a long history of opening doors for women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through research, advocacy, hands-on resources and direct support of graduate women pursuing STEM and STEM-based community projects. www.aauw.org what we do stem-education 
• Salary Negotiation – A recent initiative of AAUW is Start Smart, a program to teach women about to graduate how to negotiate a better salary. A related program is Work Smart, a similar program for women already in the workforce. AAUW has a goal of training 10 million women to negotiate their financial futures by 2022. salary.aauw.org
• Support of Graduate Women – AAUW is one of the largest funders of women graduate students, granting $3.9 million per year! Since 1881, over $115 million has been awarded to women from AAUW. 

At the local level, the branches focus on education, public policy, and community issues related to supporting and empowering women and girls. Some of the initiatives in which the Racine branch is engaged include: 

• Scholarships for women currently attending college: Last year, the Racine branch awarded $13,000 in scholarships to women already enrolled in university or technical college.  
• Helping sponsor the Girls Empowered by Math and Science (GEMS) Conference: Along with Girls INC of Southeast Wisconsin, Inc, UW-Parkside and the Racine Unified School District, the branch supports and sponsors an annual conference for middle-school girls which is held at Parkside. In January 2019, over 400 girls from Racine public schools participated in workshops on STEM topics and heard about STEM from speakers and panels. 
• Supporting women in the community: Our branch’s Community Issues committee is engaged with the women and children at Bethany Apartments, which house women and their families who have experienced domestic abuse.  

• Free Online Salary Negotiation Workshops – Start Smart and Work Smart 
• Educational Funding and Awards 
• Legal Advocacy Fund 
• Public Policy Advocacy
• Hands-On STEM Resources for Girls 

Big Sisters

• Are women 18 years and older.
• Have undergone a screening process and have submitted to and passed a police check.
• Have a valid driver’s license and a car available to them.
• Have attended a one hour orientation with the Director of Volunteers
• Spend time on a regular basis with their Little Sister.
• Are not substitute mothers, but rather, adult friends.
• Provide friendship, guidance and encouragement to a young girl who could benefit from this type of one on one relationship.

Little Sisters | Girls age 5 - 14
 

• Are referred to us by teachers, Social Workers, Counselors, Clergy, or other professionals.  We also take referrals from parents.
• Are girls who want a Big Sister and whose parents want them to be in our program.
• May remain in the program until they are 18 years old as long as they remain in school.
• Come from all areas of Racine and are economically, culturally, and ethnically  diverse.
• Enter our program for a variety of reasons:
• Coming from a single parent home.
• Needing the attention of a caring adult.
• Needing motivation, help, or encouragement.
• Benefiting from warmth and personal interest of a Big Sister.

In partnership with Strive Together, a model in more than 70 communities nationwide, Building Our Future seeks better educational opportunities for students from cradle to career by uniting partners from every sector – community members, education, non-profit, business, faith, community, government and philanthropy – to a singular vision and common action. Using data, our networks provide targeted strategies, implement continuous improvement, and hold each other accountable. By agreeing on a shared goal, we align partners to move each outcome area: Kindergarten Readiness, Early Grade Reading, High School Completion, College & Career Readiness. No single person, program or provider can solve the challenges our children face in achieving their full potential.  

Annual Report Links

• Building Our Future 2017 Baseline Report
• Building Our Future 2018 Annual Report  

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Catalyst is a global nonprofit working with some of the world’s most powerful CEOs and leading companies to help build workplaces that work for women. Founded in 1962, Catalyst drives change with pioneering research, practical tools, and proven solutions to accelerate and advance women into leadership—because progress for women is progress for everyone.

Mission
Accelerate Progress for Women Through Workplace Inclusion

Vision
Workplaces That Work for Women

Values
Connect, Engage, Inspire, Impact

Fight to End Exploitation (FEE) is a 501 (c)(3) organization and collaborative network that advocates for human trafficking victims and educates the community. Formerly known as Racine Coalition Against Human Trafficking, FEE is a recognized leader against human trafficking. 

Prevent and Assist Victims through trained advocates. 

Provide technical trainings to system partners such as Case Workers, Educators, Law Enforcement, Social Workers, Medical Professionals, etc. 

Community Awareness through speakers, presentations, community events, film screenings, art, music and other resources. 

Fight to End Exploitation helps prevent conditions that foster human trafficking in southeastern Wisconsin through education, specialized training and outreach efforts. 

The mission of the GEMS Conference is twofold: provide young women with opportunities to learn about the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in careers; and promote young women's participation in STEM courses in high school and college. Each year, middle-school school girls from Racine Unified School District (RUSD) visit the University of Wisconsin-Parkside for a day to learn about the infinite possibilities offered in the math and science fields and being encouraged and built up by other successful women. A dedicated group of community leaders from AAUW, Girls Inc, UW-Parkside, RUSD, and Safe Haven plan the annual conference. 

Girl Scouting in southeastern Wisconsin began more than 100 years ago, and today Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast (GSWISE) is more than 37,000 strong – serving 28,464 girls in grades K5-12 and 8,655 adults who believe in our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who take the lead in making the world a better place. Girl Scouts is a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader) ™ community focused on practicing everyday leadership. Girl Scouts began over 106 years ago with one woman, Girl Scouts’ founder Juliette Gordon “Daisy” Low, who believed in the power of every girl. We’re the preeminent leadership development organization for girls and young women. With programs in Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties, we give every girl in our council the chance to reach her full leadership potential.  

Higher Expectations is a collective impact organization that engages a broad range of community partners, aligns local efforts, and maximizes resources to promote excellence and equity in education and employment outcomes in Racine County. We are working to build a fully capable and employed workforce in our community. In order to accomplish that vision we work from early childhood through post-secondary education and employment, with the goal of ensuring that every student — regardless of race, zip code, age, or family income — can succeed.

Annual report links:
Higher Expectations Annual Report 2017.pdf

Higher Expectations 2018_Annual Report Final.pdf

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The Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing supportive services to the Kenosha community in order to develop stronger individuals, stronger families, and a stronger Kenosha.

Mission

The mission of the Hope Council is to reduce the impact of substance use disorders in our community by providing education, prevention, intervention, and referral services.

Established in 1965, the Kenosha Literacy Council (KLC) is a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing English literacy education to adults with the assistance of trained volunteers. We believe that literacy is a fundamental ingredient in building strong families, a good economy and a healthy community. Our programs teach reading, writing and speaking skills to adults and families so they can achieve financial independence, good health and greater involvement in our community. A wide variety of programs are offered to help adults improve their skills so that they may better achieve goals specific to their needs. Improved literacy skills mean a better chance at a safe, productive life. KLC programs include small group classes and tutoring that focus on health literacy, financial literacy, citizenship, workplace literacy and more. Together with more than 200 volunteer tutors, over 500 adults representing 40 different countries are helped each year.  

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For over 100 years, KPL has served the City and County of Kenosha. KPL is the resource library for the Kenosha County Library System. KCLS is a two member library system including KPL and the Community Library, which serves the residents of Kenosha County.

Mission Statement

The Kenosha Public Library is an ever-evolving interactive learning resource that enriches our community. 

Vision Statement

The Kenosha Community is universally literate, civically engaged, and embraces a global future. 

Our staff values: intellectual freedom, compassionate professionalism, collaboration, diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

The Kenosha Unified School District was created in 1967. The District includes the City of Kenosha, Village of Pleasant Prairie, and Town and Village of Somers.

Mission

Provide excellent, challenging learning opportunities and experiences that prepare each student for success.

Vision

To be Wisconsin’s top performing urban school district that is highly regarded for continuously exceeding all expectations.

Contact Info

Phone: 262-359-6300
Website: kusd.edu

Location
3600 52nd St. Kenosha, WI 53144

Women Supporting Women in Business

Kenosha Women’s Network is a nonprofit organization which actively promotes the advancement of its members individually and as a whole. Since 1980, KWN has provided networking support to their diverse membership. Most members are women who want to do business with other women. Many are in the business, professional and political community. Some are home-based entrepreneurs or in education or retail.

Kenosha Women’s Network draws membership from Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee, and Walworth Counties in WI and Lake County, IL. Their membership meetings are held every second Friday of the month.

Mission

To promote and encourage the professional and personal growth of our members in a supportive environment where women’s efforts are recognized and encouraged.

The League of Women Voters of the United States encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Mission

Empowering voters. Defending democracy.

Vision

We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate.

Value

We believe in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy.

There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origin, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status, language, accent, ability status, mental health, educational level or background, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role function, thinking style, personality type, physical appearance, political perspective or affiliation and/or any other characteristic that can be identified as recognizing or illustrating diversity.

Professional Women's Network for Service is a voluntary organization whose purposes are to empower women for positive change in the community through educational, global & national initiatives, and the arts.

PWNS, Incorporated experienced staff conducts workshops and speaking engagements with companies, associations, schools, and other organizations

SAFE Haven of Racine’s mission is to improve the quality of life for youth and families by providing safe living environments, crisis support, and community intervention.

Services that focus on basic needs, such as food, clothing and shelter are at the forefront of SAFE Haven of Racine’s efforts. It is our goal to continue to help youth achieve results beyond these boundaries in education, self-esteem, employment, problem-solving and life skills. https://www.safehavenofracine.org/girls-inc/

Since 2007, Girls Incorporated of SE Wisconsin has advocated for and worked to improve the lives of under-served girls ages 6 to 18 in Southeast Wisconsin. We achieve this mission by providing gender-based academic enrichment and lifestyle development programs. Our commitment is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold!

Under the guidance of Chief Executive Officer, Jeanette Brown, Girls Inc. of SE Wisconsin provides a research-based curriculum to hundreds of undeserved girls. Every day, our trained professionals administer the Girls Inc. Experience, which equips girls to achieve academically; lead healthy and physically active lives; manage money; navigate media messages; and discover an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Your support provides resources that enable us to bring our programs to more girls in need of this vital and transformative resource.

Visioning a Greater Racine is a networked-community initiative that uses the proven visioning process with the goal of transforming our community. Our goal is that by 2030, working together, we have created a flourishing place we are all proud to call home. This is critical because the Greater Racine community struggles with self-image & an undefined community-wide vision. The challenges we face adversely impact our ability to create a better future & stifles our capacity to innovate & grow. The scope of our initiative is Racine County, east of the “I”: City of Racine and the Villages of Caledonia, Elmwood Park, Mt. Pleasant, North Bay, Sturtevant and Wind Point. After over a year of visioning sessions in high schools, community centers, boardrooms and church basements, Visioning a Greater Racine now has a set of community-based goals for the future. Our WAVE (Work, Action, Vision, Engagement) teams are taking on the wishes of Greater Racine as projects to complete in order to create a flourishing community we are all proud to call home.

info@visioningagreaterracine.org

Wisconsin SBDC at UW-Parkside is part of a statewide network supporting entrepreneurs and business owners through no-cost, professional, confidential consulting and targetededucational programs. Regional SBDC experts facilitate improvement and growth for small and emerging mid-size companies and help launch successful enterprises.

Our consultants work with you to support your success as you START | MANAGE | GROW your business. In addition to in-person appointments at our office or at a location nearer to you, consulting is available via email, telephone and web or video conference. Request consulting or see the business education programs.

WWBIC is a leading innovative statewide economic development corporation that’s been “Putting Dreams to Work” since 1987. We open the doors of opportunity by providing targeted individuals who are interested in starting, strengthening or expanding businesses with access to critical resources such as responsible financial products and quality business and financial education. We focus on individuals who face barriers in accessing traditional financing or resources in pursuit of their dreams and economic well-being … in particular women, people of color, veterans and low-income individuals. Every day we work hard to achieve our social goal of improving the economic well-being of individuals by advancing inclusive entrepreneurship and facilitating self-sufficiency strategies.

WWHEL provides opportunities for networking, information sharing and support for women in leadership and encourages women faculty and staff to pursue leadership positions. Specifically, WWHEL can help and support women to develop specific skills, connect with colleagues who can provide valuable insight into the administrative role, identify career development contacts, and access state and national resources.

WWHEL sponsors an annual fall conference and also informs women of other national, regional, state or campus professional development opportunities. WWHEL maintains a website

WWHEL is governed by a Board of Directors made up of women leaders from all sectors of higher

The president serves a two-year term, followed by a year as past president. Each member of the Board of Directors serves a three-year term and may serve up to two consecutive terms.

WWHEL does not charge membership fees; the only costs for participants are those associated with workshop or conference attendance. Instead, we depend on contributions from supportive institutions. Each year institutions of higher education in Wisconsin are invited to become sustaining members and sustaining members are welcome to have a WWHEL Institutional Representative (IR). These IRs serve as the campus contact for announcements of WWHEL activities and information, forwarding these items to others on campus as appropriate, are the advocate for WWHEL sponsorship to her president/chancellor, and help to organize a WWHEL chapter on campus. At several Wisconsin colleges and universities, both public and private, groups of women meet under the WWHEL banner for professional development; regular meetings include speakers or discussions of books or new research on leadership topics.

Women and Children’s Horizon provides support, shelter, education, training and healing services to victims of sexual and domestic abuse, their families and the community. To meet the needs of survivors, the families and the community, comprehensive services are offered in domestic abuse prevention and support, emergency shelter, transitional living, children’s services, legal advocacy, batterer’s treatment, family intervention, sexual assault support and advocacy, human trafficking awareness and prevention and underserved population services. In addition, a 24-hour crisis line service is offered - 262-652-9900. Services are offered in Spanish.

2525 63rd Street Kenosha, WI 53143
Phone: 262-656-3500
Fax: 1-262-656-3402

Services are offered to western Kenosha County through their Salem, WI office.

Salem Office:
8607 Antioch Rd. Unit 7
Salem, WI 53168
Phone: 262-586-8118

WISEdash is a data portal that uses "dashboards," or visual collections of graphs and tables, to provide multi-year education data about Wisconsin schools.  Data on the portal are redacted and available by school, district, or State.  Current and Certified data can be displayed for multiple years and it can be grouped and filtered by a variety of demographics including grade level, gender, race/ethnicity, economic status, disability, English proficiency, and migrant status.  Data download files are also available.  As a public reporting tool, WISEdash is used by districts, schools, parents, researchers, media, and other community members to view data published by DPI.

Who should use it?
The WISEdash Public Portal is the front door for parents and community members to discover all types of data about Wisconsin schools and districts. Educators should send parents to WISEdash for public data reports. Data is redacted to protect student privacy. Educators and school staff should use the WISEdash for Districts, a secure version that requires a username and password, for student-level analysis.
Find more information the WISEdash for Districts secure portal here.

Women’s Resource Center serves the broader community in Racine County by providing crisis intervention, advocacy, education, legal advocacy, support groups and prevention services for a diverse population of survivors or individuals at risk of domestic abuse and/or sexual assault, by promoting positive changes, empowerment and social capital development.

1547 College Avenue
Racine, WI 53403
Phone: 262-633-3274
Fax: 262-635-5523
24-hour crisis line - 262-633-3233

Services are available in Spanish.
Services are offered to western Racine County through their Dover, WI office.
Dover Office: 23303 Church Road Dover, WI 53139
Phone: 262-878-1238
Fax: 262-878-1239

The Dover Healing House offers safety and healing services to survivors of intimate partner abuse in western Racine County. Through a trauma informed center model, Dover Healing House provides emergency shelter, advocacy and case management, safety planning, individual and group counseling for adults, children and youth. In addition, the agency offers No Contact Order Lift classes, healing and wellness groups and court accompaniment.

Services are available in Spanish.

Who We Are?

Dress for Success Racine is an affiliate of Dress for Success Worldwide and is administered by the YWCA Southeast Wisconsin.

Some of the services provided are:

• Suiting Programs - each participant works with a Personal Shopper to select an interview outfit for their job search, and then up to ten pieces of clothing once they become employed.
• Dress for Success also provides participants with interview tips and image guidance.
• The Career Center is an additional program which includes stand alone. There are computers for independent job searches, resume software and internet access. All programs are free of charge.

What We Do

Dress for Success is an international organization whose mission is to promote the economic independence of women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and career development tools that help them thrive in work and in life. In 1997, a law student received a $5,000 inheritance from her great grandfather, and Nancy Lubin transformed his hard-earned money into a gift for other women. With the help of three nuns from Spanish Harlem, she founded the first Dress for Success. Dress for Success Racine was founded in 2004 and is a program of the YWCA.

Volunteers Opportunities Available

Contact Info

Location
Regency Mall 5540 Durand Ave. Suite B-296 (next to Boston Store) Racine, WI 53406

Mission

YWCA Southeast Wisconsin’s commitment is to lasting, meaningful change. Our programs and services – from advancing resources for women and their families to eliminating barriers that perpetuate racial injustice – are woven together through focus areas shared by YWCA’s nationwide. We ask you to join us as we serve both individuals and communities to build a world of peace, justice, freedom and dignity.

Services for Racial Justice:

• Offers voter registration onsite
• Bookclubs
• Panel discussions
• Annual events
• Unlearning Racism: Tools for Action. Our six-part, 24-hour education series
• Other educational programs cover racial implicit bias, microaggressions, and whiteness / white privilege. These offerings vary from 45 minute to 4 or more hours and allow participants to learn more about racism in a focused session.
• Consulting

Services for Economic Empowerment:

• Employee Readiness – Dress for Success, Women’ Professional Image Program, Job Center, W-2
• Adult Education – GED Prep and Testing, HSED Classes
• Personal Finance Management – Financial coaching, workshops, Auto Loan Access Program

Services for Health & Safety:

• Prompt and private referrals to the Sojourner Family Peace Center for women and families affected by sexual assault or domestic violence
• Information for eating healthy
• Access to preventative tools

Contact Info:

1915 N Dr Martin Luther King Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Phone: (414) 374-1800
Fax: (414) 374-2680
E-mail – communication@ywcasew.org

Racine Location

5540 Durand Avenue (Inside Regency Mall)

Racine, WI 53406