Godsil. Everytime I visit the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center(WAAWCenter)
I am surprised to fine more resources available for community and personal use. How did this great community resource come to be?

Jo Hill. It came about from a group of women who had a vision of starting a health spa back around 1997. Each of this founding group of 35 came up with $1,000 back in 1997. And, many continue to pay annual dues of $350! Non-founding members also pay dues of $350 per year. There are around 30 such members. And some join at the level of $200. And one can join as a friend for $50.

We originally had an option of purchase a building on King Drive, but after research we discovered it would be too costly. We’re a membership organization, and one of our members, Deloris Sims, is a founder of Legacy Bank. This building at 3020 W. Vliet St. was in foreclosure and landed on Deloris’desk!

Godsil.So who were some of the original group who are still very active today?

Jo Hill. Marilyn Adams comes to mind. She is our secretary, taking care to record minutes of our meetings. She also serves as treasurer, involving payment of our bills. Keeping minutes and records straight. She does a wonderful job!
Ruby Jackson, of Trendsetters Beauty Salon is our membership chair person. She is here constantly recruiting new members and inspiring people to send in their membership dues. As a membership organization that has not received any public money since 2003, Ruby’s work is of enormous importance. Ruby is also spearheading our annual founder’s day celebration, which will be held on March 24.

Besides the on-site work that Marilyn, Ruby, and myself (I am very proud to say that I am also one of the original co-founders) handle, there is a group of original co-founders who has never missed their yearly dues. This includes Sheila Payton, Jo Ann Swan, Deloris Sims, Valerie Daniels Carter, Thelma Sias, Joan Prince, Stella Love, Darlene Rose, Margaret Henningsen, Annette Polly Williams, Edie Adekunle Wilson, Dorothy Travis, and others we’ll name later on. One of our deceased founding members, Paulette Copeland, never failed to send her dues in. Emma Olds, Dawn Marie Scott, Ella Smith, and Jackie Ross have relocated.

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