Women of Vision
Women of Vision will be held at the Holiday Inn in Cedar Creek on May 9th, 2025.
The Women of Vision Awards celebrate women who help others and have a vision to make the community a better place. Attendees to the luncheon will hear about each honoree’s contribution to our communities.
Honoree selection is based on candidates who have provided inspiring innovative, impactful leadership and have made significant contributions to their communities.
2025 Application is closed for 2025 . Honorees will be announced by April 30th.
Women of Vision awards scholarships to women planning to attend a university, college, technical, or trade school during the 2024-2025 school year. Applications are open to graduating high school seniors, current higher education students, and nontraditional students in Marathon, Lincoln, and Portage Counties.
2025 Applications are closed for 2025.
View our past Women of Vision recipients here
Women of Vision Honorees
Jacquelyn Tolksdorf
Lindsey Lewitzke
Alma Torres Pierce
Register Now:
Meet the Keynote:
Sarah Godlewski, Secretary of State
Secretary Sarah Godlewski is a fifth-generation Wisconsinite from Western Wisconsin. She has had an extensive career in both government and business. Secretary Godlewski started her career in national security before focusing on economic security and impact investing. In 2018, she won her first election as Wisconsin’s State Treasurer, where she emphasized homeownership, retirement security, and investing in Wisconsin. In 2023, Governor Evers appointed Sarah Godlewski as Secretary of State, making history as only the third woman to hold this esteemed position.
Secretary Godlewski is a proud Packers shareholder and lives in Madison with her husband Max, son Hartley, rescue dog Tanner, and rescue cats Cheddar and Mac.
2025 SPONSORS
Jacquelyn Tolksdorf, Program Coordinator with Rise Up, is a driving force in fostering strength and creativity in Wausau through innovative and impactful initiatives. Jacquelyn has been instrumental in providing platforms for local artists to showcase their work, advocating for artists to receive recognition and appropriate compensation for their contributions to public art projects. In collaborating with Rise Up artists to organize public art projects, mural installations, and workshops, she is not only enhancing the city's aesthetic appeal but working to uplift the creative voices in the community. Jacquelyn inspires creativity among youth and adults alike by securing resources and coordinating workshops and educational programs that are accessible to all in the community. These initiatives build confidence, teach valuable skills, and encourage self-expression. Jacquelyn, a Graphic Design graduate of UW Stout, started her career in Print Design and evolved to take on a more anthropological approach to marketing and design. Jacquelyn runs her own business, The Unglitch Marketing Studio, through which she is an independent contractor for Rise Up.
Lindsey Lewitzke’s innovative vision and pioneering spirit has driven significant community advancement from leading the expansion project of the Greenheck Turner Community Center, to serving as President of the DC Everest School Board, the DC Everest Education Foundation, and the Weston Elementary PTO, as well as a member of the YMCA Board of Directors. She is also a recent recipient of the Young Athena Award. Lindsey is a leader that others look up to and are excited to partner with because they know her skill and drive will lead to positive outcomes. Her endless energy and dedication to improving our community is shown by being a mentor, and a champion and philanthropic supporter of dozens of organizations focused on youth and adults. Lindsey is a graduate of DC Everest and UW-Lacrosse. Lindsey’s role in shaping the future of the public educational system, her unwavering commitment to improving our community, and her leadership in significant community project make her an ideal candidate for the Woman of Vision award.
Alma Torres Pierce has been a mentor, advocate and role model, particularly for Latine students and families ensuring they have access to the resources and guidance to thrive. She is a fierce educator that has always served the Latine community. Her professional background includes roles like: Bilingual Mental Health Practitioner at a Migrant Health Clinic, TRIO Talent Search Instructor/Advisor, Academic Advisor, Assistant Director for Multicultural Education & Student Success, Interim Director for Student Success/Academic Advising, and her former role as Pupil Services Navigator. Alma has her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work and has continued to be certified in the field. She has previously served on a School Board in North Dakota which is why she has always advocated for student and parent voice representation. She has been a member of the Hispanic Batter Women/Children’s Program & Sexual Assault Intervention Project (in MN). She currently serves on the executive board for HOLA of WI(Healthy Opportunities for Latin Americans). Alma has also joined forces with Voces de La Frontera (Voces) based in Milwaukee. Voces serves immigrant families across the state and this year they have been training volunteers across the state so they are equipped to teach Know Your Rights workshops. Alma Pierce jumped on the opportunity and is now trained. This will allow Alma to be a key leader in Abbotsford and in Central Wisconsin in the movements of educating our immigrant families about their legal rights. She envisions a community where the Latines are treated fairly, with compassion, and with equity.
Scholarship Winners
Eva Jaroski
Isabella Vardon
TEgan Knetter
Eva Jaroski is currently a senior at Wausau West High School where she has participated in the swim team, track team and NHS. Eva is also a part of 4-H and earned her Eagle rank in Scouts BSA. She has been accepted to UW Madison where she will major in biology. Eva hopes to become a Physician's Assistant to help provide quality healthcare to her community.
Isabella Vardon is a senior at Marathon High School, who is dedicated to giving back to her community and supporting her fellow students. Whether it's serving as student body president or on the Peyton's Promise advocate board, she has demonstrated herself as a proven leader. She has been employed for the past two years at Peoples State Bank as a Customer Service Representative and will attend UWSP in the fall to pursue a degree in Accounting.
Tegan Knetter is graduating as a valedictorian from Edgar High School where she has been involved in over eight different organizations, holding leadership positions in several of them. During her junior year, she was diagnosed with a Chiari Malformation, a medical condition that has required her to have two surgeries and two three-week recoveries away from school. She is proud to say that, despite these challenges, she has maintained academic excellence and great commitment to extracurriculars. In addition to her high school courses, she’s independently taken college classes to earn a QuickBooks Specialist technical diploma. In the fall she will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for Business Administration with an emphasis in Business Analytics.