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Serving Women and Girls in
Waukesha County for over
15 years
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Helping Girls See Their Future Differently
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Despite huge advances in education, employment, and earnings over the past 50 years, women and girls remain persistently underrepresented in a variety of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. Female representation is low at all levels of the STEM career pipeline from interest to intent to majoring in a STEM field in college. Research indicates that girls start losing interest in math and science in middle school. Access to STEM activities at an early age increases the likelihood that girls will continue to pursue STEM activities and choose a STEM-focused career path.
In response, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast (GSWISE) created a girl scout robotics program to help young women realize their potential in math and science fields.
The Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County awarded a $10,000 grant to GSWISE to help support Waukesha County robotic teams.
Each fall,
FIRST
Lego League (FLL) provides teams around the world, including GSWISE teams, with an annual challenge. FLL offers tomorrow’s innovators the space to practice imaginative thinking and teamwork. The robotics teams identify and research a real-world problem, design and operate a robot during a table-top competition, and share their findings during a public presentation. GSWISE teams experience a ton of fun while learning to apply science, technology, engineering and math concepts with innovation, to solve a problem.
One such team, is GSWISE robotics team,
Brix Chix
, who identified a problem and created an app called
B.R.I.X.
to help first-time pet owners understand what having a pet is really like.
B.R.I.X.
stands for (B)ehaviorally (R)ealistic (I)nteractive e(X)perience
and is a dog simulator app intended to reduce the number of animals returned to a shelter. Using the B.R.I.X. app allows potential pet owners to simulate the demands of owning a pet and improves the likelihood of a successful adoption.
The accomplishments of the
Brix Chix
extends beyond the development of the app which is now available in the apps stores.
Last November,
Brix Chix
entered the Marquette regional competition and walked away with first place. They went on to win the programming and robot performance award at sectionals.
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One of the Brix Chix team members and her mother, who is also the coach for Brix Chix, had this to say about participating on the robotics team:
“FLL has been a fundamental part of my life for four years. Thanks to Lego League, I’m considering a job in engineering when I’m older.” Molly D. (Age 13)
“The life skills and opportunities our daughter has had because of her involvement in LEGO League has been incredible. We are so very grateful to the Girl Scouts of SE Wisconsin and the Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County for their support." Teresa D. (mother of Molly D)
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In addition to the many honors and accomplishments awarded to the GSWISE robotics
teams, collectively girls participating have gained confidence and skills in STEM:
- Girls became resourceful problem solvers
- Girls identified they now seek more challenges
- Participants learned how to be better collaborators
- Girls have an increased interest in STEM-related abilities, learned to apply STEM-related knowledge to new contexts and can better communicate that knowledge to others
The grant provided by the Women and Girls Fund helps ensure Waukesha County girls can realize their potential in math and science fields by becoming challenge seekers, problem solvers, and better collaborators. It is amazing to recognize the life-changing impact this program is having on girls right here in our community.
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Women and Girls New Hope Scholarship Fund
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Recognizing the barriers that deter women pursing a college degree, the
Women and Girls New Hope Scholarship Fund
was established to help women achieve their educational goals. The Women and Girls New Hope Scholarship Fund is an endowed fund created to give non-traditional women a second chance at pursuing secondary education. The purpose of the endowed scholarship is to provide an annual $5,000 grant to encourage and support women seeking a second chance at a better life through education by assisting in the elimination of the financial barrier of tuition.
"This is truly an inspirational gift. This scholarship will change the community one woman at a time while also inspiring other donors to join the movement to impact more women and girls in Waukesha County,” Michelle DuBord, executive director.
Scholarship Fund Award Criteria
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Must be a female non-traditional* student living in Waukesha County.
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Must have applied or been accepted to a post-secondary educational institution.
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Is considered financially independent for purposes of determining eligibility for financial aid.
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Has dependents other than a spouse
*past high-school age entering college for first time or re-entering school.
The Women and Girls New Hope Scholarship Fund application process will open at the end of the year and the first recipient will be announced at the annual Women of Distinction luncheon on May 8, 2018, at Country Springs Hotel.
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Female Representation on Wisconsin Boards
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The recent article in the Milwaukee Journal highlighted the research by Milwaukee Women Inc. about the representation of women on boards of directors of publicly traded companies in Wisconsin. Women are joining more boards however the increase is slow. Women have gained a net of three board seats among the 50 largest companies since 2016.
Firms with at least 25% women directors are Alliant Energy Corp., 50%; Manpower-Group Inc., 38%; Duluth Holdings Inc., 33%; Kohl’s Corp. and First Business Financial Services Inc., each with 33%; Waterstone Financial Inc., 29%; Sensient Technologies Corp., 27%; and four companies at 25% — Associated Banc-Corp., Johnson Outdoors Inc., Lands’ End Inc. and Rockwell Automation Inc.
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WAYS TO GIVE. . . .
Improving the quality of life for women and girls in Waukesha County
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United Way
We are a proud recipient of United Way funding. Donors who give through United Way can direct their funding to the Women and Girls Fund.
Simply write in Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County.
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Employer Giving Campaign
Your employer may match your generous gift to the Women and Girls Fund. Consider checking with your human resources department or benefits manager to see if your organization has a matching gift program. Often, the forms are easy to fill out and parameters are flexible.
Help us by matching your gift.
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The Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County, established in 2004, seeks to aid and enrich the lives of women and girls so they become thriving residents of their communities. Since 2005, the Women and Girls Fund has awarded nearly $835,000 to nonprofit organizations that promote the welfare, independence and self-sufficiency of women and girls of all ages.
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