Major General Marcia Anderson will be honored Friday at United Way’s Women United Brunch with the Women United Philanthropy Award, which pays tribute to a woman’s achievements in educating, empowering and inspiring women and children to be philanthropic leaders in Dane County.
The prestigious award annually celebrates and acknowledges a woman who is “committed to helping make the community a better place to live for all.” The United Way’s Women United Brunch’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, co-chair of United Way of Dane County’s Schools of Hope 2.0 Delegation. All proceeds from today’s event will benefit United Way’s education initiatives.
“Marcia is the very embodiment of a strong, fearless, inspiring woman,” says Renee Moe, President & CEO, United Way of Dane County, in a statement. “We’re honored she leads with her passion, expertise and dedication to generously serve others right here in Dane County. Marcia is a fierce advocate for family well-being and has played a key role in our work for nearly a decade. Our community is stronger because of Marcia’s advocacy for local families and nonprofits. When local families are strong, our whole community does better.”
Anderson has served on the United Way Executive Committee, Personnel Committee, Task Force for Transformation and board of directors and has chaired the Madison Civics Club and currently serves on the Green Bay Packers board of directors.
During her 37-year military career, Anderson was committed to improving diversity and equality in the Armed Forces, along the way earning military awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Parachutist Badge and Physical Fitness Badge. In 2011, she became the first African American woman to achieve the rank of Major General in the U.S. Army.
“Marcia, whose passion centers around uplifting families as they work to succeed in school, work and life, has made a lasting impact on families in our community,” the United Way of Dane County said in a press release. “As an original co-chair of our HIRE Initiative, Marcia has long advocated for a community in which families have access to fair employment that allows them to support themselves and their families – giving them room to thrive and grow. Thanks to Marcia’s dedication, since its start HIRE has helped more than 3,000 people find reliable work.”
Gen. Anderson has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Creighton University and a J.D. from Rutgers University Law School. She retired from the military in 2016 and now lives in Verona and works as clerk of courts for U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Wisconsin in Madison.
“I want to thank United Way and Women United for this great honor,” Anderson says in a statement. “I am always humbled to be a part of this crucial work, and am forever grateful for the steps being taken by this great organization to support families as they work to build stable, successful lives. It’s more important now than ever before that we continue to lift up families and build a Dane County where all can thrive.”
