For 38 years, Women in Focus Inc., a long-standing organization of women focused on promoting educational excellence and the healthy development of children of color in the Madison area, has been providing scholarships to students of color.
Money for those scholarships is raised annually at the annual “I Have a Dream” Scholarship Banquet and Ball honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the beginning of the year. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13, 6-11 p.m. at the Wisconsin Masonic Center.
“This event is a fundraiser first and foremost. All the proceeds from the ball go towards our scholarship fund,” Teran Peterson, the Women in Focus Scholarship Ball chairperson, tells Madison365. “In our 38 years, we’ve given over $500,000 to students who color in Dane County. So we’re talking about 423 scholars who have been awarded scholarships.
“At the event, there will be a silent auction where you can bid on items online and then there’s also items at the ball to be bid on that night. You can take it home right there,” she continues. “This year we’re gonna have a 360 photo booth and we always have a professional photographer there for group shots. It’s a good excuse to come out and dance. We’re gonna have past scholarship winners there.”
Taylor Kilgore, a 2014 WIF scholarship winner, will be coming back to be the keynote speaker at the event.
“She’s accomplished some amazing things and so I’m excited to hear more about her story and see how she’s giving back to the community today,” Peterson says.
Peterson adds that at a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion are under attack statewide and nationwide, the scholarship support provided by Women in Focus Inc. is as important as ever.
“DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] is under siege across the country and because we’re a 501c3 [nonprofit], we can be intentional about where money is going and in who we want to support and focus on understanding that there are organizations and there are systems that no longer can say that they can no longer be intentional [about supporting diversity],” Peterson says.
“During this time in history, our scholarship and fundraising committees are having to work extra hard because they have to be able to convince corporations to donate money. In this way and in this place, that affects students of color,” she adds.
The Women in Focus Inc. scholarships help bridge educational gaps and provide opportunities for individuals who have historically faced discrimination and disadvantages.
“I think it’s a good reminder to put your money where your mouth is … we see a lot of ‘Black Lives Matter’ posts, but this is a way to really make a difference,” Peterson says. “We have 38 years of history, and we have 423 kids who have given us examples of how this money directly impacts kids here in Dane County. By donating to our charity, you’re able to see the impact in just a few short years because these kids are from here.
“I think we’re one of the very few organizations that give scholarship monies for people who are going to trade schools, too,” she adds. “People who are re-entering college and who are coming back to college after maybe taking a year off or two, they’re able to apply and get access to funds, as well. So there’s a wide range of different places that we’re able to help out.”
Each April, Women In Focus, Inc. presents the scholarships to deserving college-bound students of color who have been selected by the WIF Scholarship Review Committee at its annual scholarship reception at the Goodman Community Center on Madison’s East Side. “We’ve become a big family over the years,” Peterson says. “We do stay in touch with our scholarship winners and it is wonderful when they come back and participate in our events.”
Some of that family will be in attendance at the “I Have a Dream” Scholarship Banquet and Ball on Jan. 13. The event has been traditionally held at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, but is moving to the Wisconsin Masonic Center this year because Monona Terrace is getting new carpets.
“We’re looking forward to having it at the Masonic Center this year. The food options will be a little bit different. This is a great opportunity to try something different. We are all very excited about it,” Peterson says.
“The community in Madison is so tight-knit. This event really feels more like a family reunion when we’re all out there dancing and hanging out.”
The Women in Focus Inc. 2024 “I Have a Dream” Ball will be held Saturday, Jan. 13, 6-11 p.m. at the Wisconsin Masonic Center, 301 Wisconsin Ave. For tickets, click here.
