About Us

Women's Civic Conference (WCC) holds monthly conferences for its members from September to May. Our topics include the court system, civics, legislation, education, health, and other pertinent issues.

Every spring, the WCC hosts a bus tour to key facilities within our civic, judicial and legislative systems for our members. Some of our past tours have visited:

• Various prisons and correctional institutions, including Fox Lake, Waupun, and Taycheedah
• The Wisconsin Supreme Court
• The State Capitol building in Madison 
• The Milwaukee County Circuit Courts and Children’s Court

In December, we donate to a charity which has a special connection to WCC for that year. Please see our archives for a list of who we have donated to over the years.

The mission of the WCC is to unite women’s groups of the community; to inform and be informed on local, state and national issues; to take action as individuals and through member organizations; and to present programs of general interest.

President: Mary Cherweznik 

Vice President: Carol Dohoney

Recording Secretary: JoAnne Meyer

Corresponding Secretary: Diane Edward

Treasurer: Kerstin Lanser

Parliamentary Advisor: Deanna Young

Arrangements / Reservations: Glenna Vance, Chair

Auditing / Budget / Finance: Diane Mee, Chair

Bylaws: Linda Brown, Chair

Courts And Safety: Jennie Ehrmann, Chair

Education: Bernadette Asiatidis, Chair

Health Care: Mary Ellen Clinton, Chair

Historical Records: Kathy Hein, Chair

Hospitality: Mary Golden, Chair

Legislation: Diane Mee, Chair

Membership: Mary Wilde, Chair

Newsletter: TBA, Chair

Policy & Procedures: Carol Dohoney, Chair

Program: Linda Brown, Chair

Sunshine: Jean Reinemann, Chair

Tours: Linda Jenzake and Jean Dueling, Co-Chairs

Ways And Means: Betsy Lubeley, Chair

Website: Mary Wilde, Chair

Women’s Civic Conference began in 1922 by a group of women dedicated to taking a more active role in civics post-19th Amendment, i.e., the women's right to vote. During those early years, the organization was called Women’s Court Conference.

Over the last 100 years, our speakers and guests have included governors, mayors, county executives, judges from all levels of judiciary, police chiefs, sheriffs, district attorneys, state and local legislators, civic leaders, business leaders, and community organization leaders.  

As we enter our second century, the WCC will continue to provide a platform for women in our region to be informed on local, state and national topics and to take concerted action as both individuals and through member organizations.

Some of the WCC's historical highlights include:

• In 1935, there was a pressing concern for the quality of care of severely handicapped children. The Southern Wisconsin Colony and Training School in Union Grove was visited, and recommendations were made to build six additional cottages, modernize the school, and add another doctor and three registered nurses to the staff.

• During World War II, the Club responded to appeals for blood donors, requests to save tin cans and fats, engaged in rolling bandages, stitching and filling service men’s kits. Throughout the 1940s, the WCC also was involved with the establishment of a new detention home and an improved system of dealing with juveniles.

• In the 1950s, the focus became the feasibility of closing Johnson Emergency Hospital and the necessity of a special wing at County Hospital for psychiatric patients. For many years WCC had representation on the Better Films, Radio and TV Councils. 

• In 1972, the 50th Anniversary was celebrated at the Milwaukee Athletic Club with 250 members in attendance. The first County Executive, John L. Doyne read a citation, noting “the seriousness of our purpose and the timeliness of our concerns.”