A Record-Breaking Celebration: 2025 Women of Distinction Luncheon
We want to extend our gratitude to everyone who participated in the 2025 Women of Distinction Luncheon. Whether you were in the room or supporting from afar, your commitment helped create an unforgettable afternoon filled with leadership, recognition, and community spirit.
Largest Luncheon in the WGF’s History
This year’s luncheon was a milestone event. More than 680 people gathered at the Brookfield Conference Center, making this year’s event the largest in our history. The energy in the room spoke to the strength of our community’s commitment to women and girls in Waukesha County.
With record-breaking generosity from sponsors and attendees, we raised over $220,000. These contributions ensure that we can continue to invest in programs that expand access to health and well-being, create educational opportunities, and foster long-term empowerment for women and girls across the county.
Celebrating Extraordinary Honorees
The highlight of the luncheon was the recognition of our extraordinary 2025 honorees. We celebrated Maria Watts, Judie Taylor, and Deanna Marincic as Women of Distinction, and Sophia Martin as this year’s Young Woman of Tomorrow.
Maria, Judie, and Deanna have each dedicated their time and talents to improving lives through leadership, vision, and service. Their efforts have advanced opportunities and created meaningful change across the community. Sophia, honored as the Young Woman of Tomorrow, represents the promise of the next generation. Her achievements and determination are inspiring her peers while building a foundation of leadership for the future.
Together, these honorees embody what it means to acknowledge, celebrate, and elevate women and girls. Their commitment reflects the very heart of our mission and serves as a reminder of what is possible when women lead with passion and purpose.
Over $2 Million in Impact
Each year, the luncheon is also the moment when we announce our annual grants. In 2025, the Women and Girls Fund awarded $218,000 to 19 nonprofit organizations working directly to support women and girls in Waukesha County.
This year’s grants carried added significance. With these awards, the Women and Girls Fund has surpassed $2 million in grants since 2004. That milestone reflects not only two decades of investment but also the dedication of our donors and supporters who believe in creating lasting impact.
These dollars translate into opportunities for women and girls to access critical services, education, and pathways to self-sufficiency. Our partners are expanding trauma-informed care in schools, opening doors to housing and healthcare, and building confidence for the next generation. Together, these organizations remind us that when community resources are directed with intention, the results are transformative.
In 2025, that impact was seen through programs such as:
- Chosen, Inc. of Wisconsin – Expanding the Waukesha Family Closet to provide foster, kinship, and adoptive caregivers with essential items like clothing, school supplies, and baby gear, easing financial strain and strengthening family stability.
- Moms Mental Health Initiative – Launching two expert-led, trauma-informed support groups for mothers facing cancer and perinatal mental health conditions.
- Life Navigators – Providing intensive in-home services, emergency interventions, and guardianship support for women with disabilities who lack family advocates, helping them live safely and independently.
- Literacy Services of Wisconsin – Growing the English Language Learning for Waukesha Women program, offering tutoring, small group, classroom, and hybrid models to support non-native English speakers.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters – Expanding one-to-one mentoring for girls in Waukesha County, empowering them with confidence and leadership skills.
Check out the full list of grant recipients for more information.
Looking Ahead: Women of Distinction 2026
The 2025 Women of Distinction Luncheon showcased the strength of our community and the progress that’s possible when we acknowledge, celebrate, and elevate women and girls. We’re excited to build on this success to make next year’s Women of Distinction even bigger and more impactful. Mark your calendars for Friday, May 15, 2026, when we will gather again at the Brookfield Conference Center to celebrate leaders, invest in nonprofits, and advance opportunities for women and girls in Waukesha County.
Learn more about the Women of Distinction here.
