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MADISON — First Lady Kathy Evers today announced that “Women Who Inspire,” a program of the Committee to Celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of Wisconsin's Ratification of the 19th Amendment, will highlight Vanaya Grice, Milwaukee, as the final feature on the Committee’s website.
Grice, along with six other nominees, also appears in a virtual “passing the bell” video with First lady Evers posted in celebration of the August 26th, 2020 centennial anniversary of the 19th amendment. The video can be viewed here.
“As we come to the close of Wisconsin’s statewide suffrage centennial celebration, it is important to recognize the diverse women and the diverse roles women continue to play in working for social change and increasing equality for women and girls in Wisconsin,” said First Lady Evers who chairs the Committee. “In the video, it is not only apparent that these accomplished women improve their communities but that they serve as role models for the next generation of young women and girls to do the same.”
Grice was nominated by the Wisconsin Women’s Council. Vanaya is an employee of Northwestern Mutual, an entrepreneur and small business owner, and a board member with Milwaukee’s PEARLS for Teen Girls. “Vanaya is a person who tackles the hard conversations in corporate spaces and helps to bridge the gap between rhetoric and perception with reality,” said Alderwoman and Women’s Council Member Chantia Lewis. “She has a passion to bring equity to the community and ensuring that young girls have access to role models and resources to become their best selves.”
Committee members were invited to nominate and interview women who inspire them to feature on the Committee website with the intent of inspiring a broad bipartisan audience and bringing more diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, age, geography, background, and identity to the women's rights conversation. All nominees that will be featured on the website were submitted by members of the Committee and will be featured on a rotating basis leading up to the 100th anniversary of enactment of the 19th Amendment in August.
The website separately highlights notable Wisconsin social activists and trailblazers, such as Vel Phillips, Ada Deer, Justice Shirley Abrahamson, Belle Case LaFollette and others with links to outside resources.
The 19th Amendment Committee was formed by Executive Order 19 on April 11, 2019 and is comprised of Wisconsin’s women in elected and appointed state office and other women leaders and experts.
A photo of Vanaya Grice here.
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