In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Wisconsin becoming the first state to ratify the 19th amendment granting national suffrage to women, four University of Wisconsin-Platteville students attended the Wisconsin Women in Government Scholarship and Recognition Gala. The event took place on May 15 at the Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
The participating students included Kristen Hephner, a junior criminal justice and accounting double major from Auroa, Illinois; Lindsy York, a senior education major from Hennepin, Illinois; Mikayla Ney, a junior chemistry major from Waterford, Wisconsin; and Rachel Eckmann, a senior chemistry and forensic investigation double major from Waukesha, Wisconsin.
“We got to meet female leader role models. To see people in those positions and hold that power is inspiring and makes me feel more confident in what I’m doing in my classes,” said Eckmann.
“It was exciting to talk to other powerful women to help inspire others and myself to continue doing what I’m doing and if they can do it, I can do it,” said Hephner.
This year’s keynote speaker was Kristen Soltis Anderson, the author of “The Selfie Vote: Where Millennials are Leading America (And How Republicans Can Keep Up).” She’s an ABC political contributor, columnist at The Washington Examiner and the co-host of the bipartisan weekly podcast “The Pollsters.”
Anderson presented the question what does leadership look like. “It’s fascinating,” said Eckmann. “I just finished up a leadership and management class. It’s got me thinking and being a part of UW-Platteville’s Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success. There are a lot of different styles; I think to support and inspire others is a huge piece of leadership.”
The gala also acknowledged the historic moment of the 19th amendment. On June 10, 1919 Wisconsin became the first state to ratify the amendment. “100 years ago really isn’t that long; it’s a really big milestone to look back upon and that it has been 100 years since women did gain the right to vote,” said Hephner.
“Women have come such a long way in just 100 years, and there was no better way to honor those accomplishments,” said Ney. “It was great to see women of all ages attending the event and how the keynote speaker, Kristen Soltis Anderson, focused on the younger generations and getting us more involved in our government.”
According to the WWIG website, the nonprofit organization works to provide scholarships to women who are pursuing a career in public service. “I love that WWIG continues to help support women through all stages in their career; it’s support systems like this that help women really leave their mark in their communities and make a difference in their world,” said Ney.
The WWIG presented the gala in partnership with the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership and the Wisconsin Historical Society. UW-Platteville was among one of the sponsors of the event.