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History
Since 1983, members of Women In Focus, Inc. (WIF) have been an active force in the Madison community, working on behalf of minority children and youth.
In the early years of the organization, several events were held to introduce nationally prominent, successful women of color to the Madison community. Young minority students were invited as guests to these events to hear and meet these outstanding women. The goal was to inspire the young people to emulate these role models. Speakers included:
Dr. Johnetta Cole, then President of Spelman College
Gwen Jackson, National Chair of Volunteers for the Red Cross
Rear Admiral Audrey F. Manley, MD Deputy Asst. secretary for Health and Social Services
Schuyler Quarles, Actress and poet
Dr. Nellie McKay, co-author of Anthology of Black Writers of America
A'lelia Bundles, Grand daughter of Madam C.J Walker, early black entrepreneur
Yolanda King, actress, poet and daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King
Women In Focus also provided concerts featuring prominent choral groups and ensembles, again to inspire young people to see and hear exceptional musical talent. These groups included:
- North Division High School choir of Milwaukee
- Spelman College Glee Club
- Spelman College Jazz Ensemble
- Morehouse College Glee Club
In January 1986 WIF held its first “I Have A Dream” Ball at the Great Hall of the UW Madison Memorial Union. The Ball was a Black tie event which honored the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of a bright future for America’s youth. This event has become an annual fund raiser for scholarships to support minority youth seeking a college education. To date, we have provided a total of 180 scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,500. On October 11, 2006, WIF presented a plaque commemorating our Scholarship Ball to Yolanda King, the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., when she performed at Edgewood College.
A scholarship was established in 2006 honoring Annie Mae McClain, a devout churchwoman who had an astounding collection of designer hats. She left the hats to her son who gifted them to Women In Focus. The hats were presented in two exhibitions, at the Overture Center in Madison and at the Historical Society in Milwaukee. A subsequent auction of the hats resulted in funds which were used to establish the Miss Annie Mae Scholarship fund. The first award of $2,000 was made in 2007 to a college bound student.
The Literacy Program is another example of the continuing energy and dedication of WIF members to our focus on youth and education. From 2001-2007, WIF volunteers spent about three hours each week reading to pre-school children in the waiting room of the Access Community Health Center, giving each child a book to take home and encouraging parents to continue to read to their children. Beginning in 2008, our program has moved to the YWCA in Madison where we hold monthly activity sessions with mothers and children to encourage reading and give out books. The Literacy Program is funded by grants and donations.
Women In Focus is a 501(c )(3) organization whose mission is to support the education of youth of color in our community.
EMAIL: info@womeninfocus.net
Women In Focus, Inc.
PO BOX 44013
Madison, WI 53744
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Members of Women in Focus present Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter, Yolanda King (left) with a plaque commemorating the 2006 WIF "I Have a Dream" Scholarship Ball. |
Our first Scholarship Ball was held in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union on the University of Wisconsin Madison Campus. |