women + style + substance
Fashion + Forward Issue!
> K È NISHA RUFF
Marie Hunter Beauty's founder & style maven
> FALL FOR IT
Trending colors, lovely lines
> WOMEN WHO RUN
Changing politics & policymaking
Unfortunately, not everything they share is good
If you or other family members have had heart issues or heart disease, talk about it. By sharing what you know, you can help your family understand their risk for heart disease.
Heart disease is preventable and treatable.
UW Health’s Cardiac Arrest Prevention Program has experts who can help. Our team works with individuals and entire families to identify their risk factors and develop a plan to help lower their risk for heart disease.
If someone in your family has one of the following risk factors, we can help.
• Prior cardiac arrest
• Previous heart attack
• Heart attack in your family
• Abnormal heart rhythm leading to cardiac arrest
• Blockages in your heart’s blood vessels leading to heart attack or cardiac arrest
Visit uwhealth.org/CAPP or call (608) 890-7760 to learn more or self-refer to our Cardiac Arrest Prevention Program.
Learning to Love Yourself—Quirks and All
with KIMBERLY ZAHASKY
Free Event at DreamBank
Thursday, October 27, 6:15–7:30 pm
Do you ever compare yourself to others and feel like you don’t measure up? Join Kimberly Zahasky, R.N. and co-owner of Blue River Chiropractic, and discover how to look within to find, accept and value who you really are. Discover the freedom to explore your dreams, realize your true potential and become the best possible version of you.
RSVP BY VISITING: amfam.com/dreambank
Accepting New Orthodontics Patients
Dr. Audi Long is welcoming new patients to her orthodontic practice! The ability to smile with confidence is such an important part of social interaction and self-esteem, D r. Audi Long finds her work especially rewa rding. She says, “I like to think that orthodontic treatment doesn’t just improve a patient’s bite and appearance, but can also make him or her feel more self-assured. I love building relationships with patients and their families and creating a comfortable, friendly clinic atmosphere with open lines of communication.” She believes, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Dr. Long is originally from Appleton, WI. She and her husband, Micah, met while attending UW Madison and always planned to settle in Madison after completing their training (he is a physician beginning fellowship with UW). Together, they have a daughter, Addison. They cheer on the Packers and Badgers, love music, and keeping up with their two dogs, “Lunchbox” (French Bulldog) and “Burgie” (Pug).
Education
M.S., Certificate in Orthodontics, Marquette University
Doctor of Dental Surgery
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
B.S., University of Wisconsin, Madison
Parlor Settee Sofa
King Primitive Bed
To feel confident
Imagine an entire day at work or with family without a single worry about urinary incontinence and leakage. It can happen, with help from our experts in Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) at SSM Health Dean Medical Group. Our team of urogynecologists are experts in both surgical and non-surgical techniques to relieve difficulties in the pelvic region, and leave you feeling relaxed and confident. In other words, like yourself again.
Cabinets
Countertops
Flooring
Appliances
At Nonn’s, you’ll find Box Box Pricing & Boutique Selections on more than just floors. At big box stores, the prices are amazing, but the selections…well, not so much. And at boutique shops, the products are exciting, but the prices…not for the budget-conscious. But at Nonn’s, you’ll find Big Box Prices and Boutique Selections on cabinets, countertops, flooring and appliances. So visit Nonn’s in Middleton or Madison, where you’ll discover a new way to truly, love your home.
49 SEASONAL SOPHISTICATION
Earthy essentials create a splendid fall wardrobe.
55 THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION
Lands’ End CEO Federica Marchionni’s fashionable vision.
61 RUN, WOMEN, RUN
The quest to move women forward into policymaking, politics— and power.
CONNECT
Engage | 15
The latest news, hot events, discussions and special BRAVA promotions you can’t live without.
Perspective | 18
Sarah Young coaches others toward an authentic life.
THRIVE
Cinematic Appeal | 21
Fashion designer and illustrator Steph Hagen’s pure aesthetic
Style + Beauty | 22
Elegant watches are timeless accessories.
Wellbeing | 26
The Power of One, effective health self-advocacy and medical reasons for breast reconstruction
Delve In | 31 Happiness is a choice.
Dwell | 36
Light up your outdoor spaces, rustic home decor
Portrait of an Artist | 46
Steph Hagen’s designs light up film, screen and American Girl.
GO+DO
Fall’s Bounty | 77
Dive into the edible colors of autumn at The Green Owl.
Eats + Drinks | 78
Savoring Madison’s street eats.
Around Town | 80
A stroll down Mount Horeb’s Main Street.
Spotlight | 83
October’s don’t-miss arts and entertainment events
Catalyst | 86
The Farley Center’s legacy of peace, justice and sustainability
Happenings | 87
See who you know in photos from the Window Design Center BRAVA Night Out and the 2016 Wonderball.
IN EVERY ISSUE
Relate | 10 Contributors | 13 Linger | 88
Content: Caring For Aging Parents | 69
Guide | 79 Travel Guide | 81
FORWARD: IT’S OUR FASHION
IT IS EXHILARATING to see women in charge, especially as a mother to Shane, my middle-school daughter. Being able to discuss possibilities as attainable reality, and not just a maybe prospect, is powerful now and for her future goals and desires. I like to see these role models for her, and for all girls and young women.
But what does the younger set see?
I hope they recognize women of all shapes, sizes, ages and colors. Women who look like them, and resemble who they’ll become as they pass through life’s phases. Women to whom they can relate.
It’s important that they see themselves, too, with the potential and ability to fill these types of authority positions, where the power and responsibility of leadership, decision making and influence lie, no matter the field or profession.
But, we all know what the research numbers show: We could use more women role models in powerful positions now.
That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce you, in this issue, to women questioning and dismantling the status quo and moving the agenda forward in business and government.
KéNisha Ruff, owner of Marie Hunter Beauty, lauched a cosmetics line on her own terms—one from which any woman could find a product to help her feel confident.
Federica Marchionni, the just-resigned—as in one-hour before our press time—Lands’ End CEO, who determined at age 16 that she would someday be a top exec. She arrived.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin also has arrived. She tells writer Lisa Bauer, in our insightful feature, “Run, Women, Run,” “Our democracy is stronger when women are engaged, so it’s important that they take the initiative to make a difference. Every time a woman runs for office and wins, it gets a little easier for everyone who comes after.”
In the article Baldwin fondly recalls meeting a 4th grade girl. The girl promptly sat in Baldwin’s actual assembly chamber chair and said, “I like the feel of this.” She could see herself there, because she could see Baldwin there.
Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch reminds us that glass ceilings can be shattered, and that we must help women see they are already leaders who can run for office.
We have a campaign slogan around here: Lilly for President! The daughter of our BRAVA colleague Jennifer Rosen-Heinz just personally received a response letter from Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Lilly had shared that she wanted to change her name to “Lillary” so she could run for president someday. In addition to telling her there’s no need for a name change, Clinton responded:
“I know it may seem like a lot now, but as you grow and learn and search for your own place in the world, I hope you’ll consider how you can make your voice heard. Speak your mind in your classes, and at meetings once you have a job. Proudly take credit for your ideas. Have confidence in the value of your contributions. And if the space you’re in doesn’t have room for your voice, don’t be afraid to carve out a space of your own. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t give in. Don’t give up. Don’t quit—on yourself, on your dreams, on your future. You really can be anything you want to be. I may become the first woman president, but you, Lilly, could be next.”
And here’s to Lilly, to my Shane, and to any of you willing to take up the mantle and pull up your seat at the executive, policymaking or political tables.
Seeing is believing.
Kate Bast Editor-in-Chief
ONLINE
We’ll post Lilly’s special letter from Hillary Clinton on our Facebook page. Don’t miss our other web exclusives and expanded stories from the issue at BRAVAmagazine.com.
ON THE COVER
Meet KéNisha Ruff, stylist, blogger and owner of cosmetics line Marie Hunter Beauty, on P. 49. Styled and photographed by Shanna Wolf.
2016
World Sight Day Gala: Empowering Women Through Sight
This year, World Sight Day will focus on the impact of curing preventable blindness in women and the effect it has on their families and communities. In the developing world, women are disproportionately affected by blindness. Two out of three cases are women. In what we hope to be an inspiring and enlightening night, we will feature speakers and stories of CBI’s efforts to alleviate disproportionate blindness among women.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Reception and Food at 5:30pm | Program at 7:00pm Guest Speaker: Dr. Cynthia Haq of UW - School of Medicine and Public Health Madison Marriott West Register online at combatblindness.org/world-sight-day/
PUBLISHER MICHELLE REDDINGTON michelle@bravaenterprises.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
KATE BAST kate@bravaenterprises.com
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & EVENTS KRIS LERDAHL kris@bravaenterprises.com
MANAGING EDITOR
MARNI MCENTEE marni@bravaenterprises.com
ASSISTANT EDITOR
RACHEL WERNER rachel@bravaenterprises.com
ART DIRECTOR STACEY ANDERSON stacey@bravaenterprises.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN
JERRIANN MULLEN jem@ntmediagroup.com
MARKETING & EVENTS MANAGER MEGAN GLAESER megan@bravaenterprises.com
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR JULIE SCHILLER ads@ntmediagroup.com
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
LEE ACKER lee@bravaenterprises.com
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT JENNIFER ROSEN-HEINZ jennifer@bravaenterprises.com
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT JODY WISZ jody@ntmediagroup.com
INTERNS Marketing | Haley Schreier Editorial | Elle Duncombe-Mills, Caroline Szachnowski
BRAVA Magazine is a publication of Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc. Gary E. Nei, Chairman; William Turner, President; Barbara Krause, Publisher. 951 Kimball Lane, Suite 104. Verona, WI, (608) 848-6700.
SUBSCRIBE AT BRAVAMAGAZINE.COM
Subscription Information: (877) 811-2639 or brava@pubdmgroup.com.
BRAVA (ISSN 1934-4317) October 2016, Volume 17, Number 10, Periodicals postage paid at 3902 Milwaukee St., Madison WI 53714 and additional offices. Subscriptions are $14/year. Postmaster send address changes to BRAVA Magazine, P.O. Box 343, Oregon, IL 61061-0343. This issue or any part thereof may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. ©2016.
OTHER CONTRIBUTORS
ILLUSTRATORS | Whitney Salgado
WRITERS | Mary Burke, Amy Carlson
PHOTOGRAPHERS | Kaia Calhoun, Destiny Schaefer, Hillary Schave
LISA BAUER | “RUN, WOMEN, RUN,” P. 61
A freelance communications specialist, Lisa enjoys serving diverse clients who work to further the causes of equity, sustainability and social justice. She lives in Madison with her husband and two girls, who attend Madison schools.
EMILY
LEAS | “LIVING AN AUTHENTIC LIFE,” P. 18 & “HAPPINESS,” P. 31
Emily relishes the deep dive into a story and has been a freelance writer for close to 15 years starting in Michigan, then Montana and now Madison for the last eight years. She also loves seeing new places with her husband, roaming the dog park with her puppy, Duncan, and paddleboarding.
OCTOBER 21, 22, 23
Overture Hall
EDWARD ELGAR In The South (Alassio)
MAX BRUCH Violin Concerto No. 1
HENNING KRAGGERUD
Three Postludes from Equinox
KAITLYN NOVOTNY | “BRINGING MEN INTO THE DOMESTIC ABUSE DISCUSSION,” P. 26
Kaitlyn is a UW-Madison alumna with roots in Milwaukee. In addition to freelance writing, she works as a special events and marketing assistant at The Salvation Army of Dane County. She is inspired by the work of good people doing great things in their communities. When she’s not volunteering at animal adoption fairs, you can find her drinking scalding black tea and touting the glory of the Oxford comma.
CANDICE WAGENER | “MOBILE HOT SPOTS” P. 78
Candice is a freelance writer who regularly contributes to BRAVA and Isthmus. While she has never officially taken a personality assessment, she knows one of her colors would be blue, as she is a relationship-oriented person who hates conflict. Candice lives in Middleton with her husband and two rambunctious boys, who make her laugh every day.
JOSH WITZEL | PHOTOS THROUGHOUT
Josh is driven by creativity, passion and living life with an open heart. Being a husband, father, dog owner and owner of Abbots Lane, a rustic editorial photography boutique based in Madison, keeps him very busy! He lives by the mantra “there is never bad weather, just poor clothing choices.”
SHANNA WOLF | PHOTOS THROUGHOUT
Shanna is a freelance photographer with a background in advertising and communications, specializing in portrait, documentary and interior photography. Her photography aesthetic is modern with simplicity and balance. She loves the storytelling of still photography and being a contributor to publications with meaningful messages. Her personal work is focused on travel and wandering, using her camera as her sketchbook.
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6 (Pastorale)
John DeMain, Conductor Henning Kraggerud, Violin madisonsymphony.org , the Overture Center Box Office or (608) 258-4141.
DRESS FOR DAIS | More than 100 local women will rock the catwalk at the sixth annual Domestic Abuse Intervention Services Fashion Show. The event raises funds and community engagement in DAIS’ mission to provide victim support services and prevention education programs for teens. Oct. 20. Overture Center, Madison. For more ways to lend a hand during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, see WELLBEING P. 26 and SPOTLIGHT P. 83. abuseintervention.org/fashion-show.
TAKE NOTE
Congratulations to Lana Chute, recipient of the Look Back, Give Back, GHC Community Champion Award, recognizing her time and talent to make our community great via her volunteer efforts with The AIDS Ride and Puppy Up Madison. We’re not surprised! Chute is a former BRAVA gal who’s known for her commitment to giving and community.
“TODAY, WOMEN HOLD ONLY 26 PERCENT OF SEATS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE, A SHARE THAT’S BEEN LARGELY UNCHANGED FOR A QUARTER CENTURY.” YET WOMEN COMPRISE 50 PERCENT OF THE STATE POPULATION.
FOR MORE ABOUT THE DISPARITY AND STATUS OF WOMEN IN POLITICAL OFFICE AND POLICYMAKING, READ “RUN, WOMEN, RUN,” P. 61, BY LISA BAUER
Vaunce Ashby recently joined Wisconsin Historical Society as the director of education. Ashby will supervise elementary, secondary and adult education staff to align the society’s educational content and messaging across its divisions, and advise its teams about education services, schools and learning. Previously Ashby was with the Department of Public Instruction.
Jessica Cavazos is the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County’s new executive director. Cavazos brings much experience in governmental relations, and also served for eight years as congressional liaison for Congresswoman Gwenn Moore. She also has been deeply involved in and served in leadership roles in multiple community, state, regional and national organizations promoting the Latino community.
Carrie Braxton has joined Dane County’s Tamara Grigsby Office for Equity and Inclusion as a diversity recruitment specialist, working to recruit job candidates with diverse skill sets and backgrounds. Previously, she has worked in Dane County’s district attorney and human services offices. She’s active on boards for various community organizations, including the Racial Equality and Social Justice Committee.
OUT + ABOUT
BRAVA-SPONSORED EVENTS
OCT. 20 | DRESS FOR DAIS FASHION SHOW
Big-city fashion merges with the style and generosity of the Madison area! October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about this prevalent issue. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar at this fundraiser for Domestic Abuse Intervention Services. VIP and general seating available. 6:30 p.m. doors open, 7:30 p.m. show begins. Overture Center, Madison. Tickets: dressfordais2016.eventbrite.com or (608) 807-4021.
OCT. 27 | BRAVA NIGHT OUT HEALTH AND WELLNESS AT UW HEALTH AT THE AMERICAN CENTER
Treat your mind and body to an evening of health, wellness and fun. Choose two of four healthful experiences including a cooking class in the Learning Kitchen with gourmet chef and registered dietician Julie Andrews; guided meditation with psychologist Shilagh Mirgain; yoga in the Wellness Studio; or CrossTrain with the Sport Performance team. 6-8:45 p.m. Details and registration: BRAVAmagazine.com/events.
NOV. 5 | AGRACE BUTTERFLY GALA
Enjoy an unforgettable evening of gourmet dining at The Edgewater. The night brings exquisite food, bidding on oneof-a-kind auction items and a raffle featuring unique prizes from William Thomas Jewelers. This year includes a new after-dinner reception to cap off this celebration in support of Agrace’s mission. 5:30-11 p.m. The Edgewater, Madison. Tickets and information: agrace.org/events or (608) 327-7239.
BRAVA EVENTS
OCT. 19 | THRIVE CAREER WORKSHOP COACHING AS A MANAGEMENT STYLE WITH DARCY LUOMA
Learn to think like a coach to be more effective—with less effort—as a manager who develops employees’ skills and abilities, leading to more engagement and greater results. 8-11:45 a.m. Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Madison. Tickets and information: BRAVAmagazine.com.
NOV. 10 | THRIVE LUNCHEON AUTHENTICITY IN DAILY LIFE WITH SARAH YOUNG
THE LATEST RANTS & RAVES
Madison Family Doulas has expanded its practice to offer postpartum care, in addition to birthing and birth preparation care and services.
In September’s “Sustainable Style” story featured in THRIVE | FASHION we incorrectly noted the price for the outfits styled by fashionista Rachael Nachtway, owner of the online boutique Evolve. The total price for all items showcased on the page—that is, all three outfits’ worth—is $325. Now that is sustainable.
The truth is, being completely authentic all of the time is a vulnerability—but it’s key for a joyful and fulfilling life. During this high-energy, interactive and thought-provoking session, you’ll gain insight into what authenticity is, examine the challenges and barriers, and gain the tools you need to live authentically in all aspects of your life. 11 a.m. registration, 11:45 lunch served. Sheraton Madison Hotel. Tickets and information: BRAVAmagazine.com.
NOV. 19-20 | MADISON WOMEN’S EXPO
Flourish with friends all weekend long! Explore, engage, experience and enjoy everything from creative workshops and presentations and unique pop-up boutiques to inspiring speakers, delicious eats and drinks—and so much more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Alliant Energy Center, Madison. Tickets and information: madisonwomensexpo.com. SAVE THE DATE
MOXIE
Magic Happens
It’s a testament to Attic Angel’s character when “angels” choose to make our senior living community their home.
These longtime volunteers for the organization with a mission to serve seniors and youth know a good thing when they see it.
Who better than angels to sing praise for the good life?
LIVING AN AUTHENTIC LIFE SARAH YOUNG’S WORK TOWARD SOMETHING GREATER
BY EMILY LEAS
SARAH YOUNG’S ENERGY IS CONTAGIOUS. There’s a quiet focus in her eyes that hints at someone who never stops working. You’d think this means she has overcome a struggle, or has a hardscrabble story that fires her up just under the surface. But start digging and you realize you’ve found her authenticity and a nonstop drive to leave a positive dent in the world.
As soon as Young knew what a teacher was, that’s what she wanted to be. But her career path took her to an eight-year career at Epic, where she was a project manager, team lead and staff management executive. Still, two years into her stint at the software company, her vision shifted.
“I got really passionate about what becomes possible when people are doing what they love and what they’re good at in service of something greater,” she explains.
That passion led her to pursue her CoActive Coaching certification through Coaches Training Institute, and then, as she says, “One day, it dawned on me that it wasn’t actually being a teacher within the walls of a classroom that I wanted. It was about empowering people to have an impact in the world.”
So she did something all the business books say not to do. She gave notice at Epic May 1, 2013, and filed the paperwork to start her own business, Zing Collaborative, the next day.
“It was really timing,” Young says. “It was a culmination of having that vision for a long time, but not exactly knowing the details, and then feeling like it was the right time to jump in and focus on this full time.”
Since then, Young has built Zing into a business that allows her to work with companies, teams and individuals to increase impact, develop leadership and grow what she calls “aliveness.”
Carey Baker, director of leadership at the Coaches Training Institute, who was Young’s coach and is still a mentor and friend, sees why Young was able to make the shift with such ease.
“She’s a unique mix of enough courage to take risk, but balanced with mindful,
thoughtful, intentional actions,” Baker says. “She has the ability to speak boldly with a warm heart. She’s like this beautiful paradoxical existence.”
Young admits that being your authentic self and staying aligned with the values that light you up every day takes a level of vulnerability and risk that, especially as women, often makes us hesitate.
“I find that the closer we come to expressing our truest purpose in the world, the more some of that self-doubt comes up,” Young says, recalling its heavy weight the few months of launching Zing.
But now, she says, every part of her is completely seamless and aligned: the project manager, the nature-lover, her corporate knowledge, leadership training and the compassionate part that just loves seeing people shine and “be all of who they are in all parts of their lives.”
YOUNG IS GRATEFUL TO BE ON A PATH THAT ALIGNS WITH HER OWN VALUES.
Young’s client Erin Wehmann, a customer advocate at a Middleton software company, is working toward that goal. Divorced two years ago after a 19-year marriage, Wehmann sought Young’s help to solidify her career goals, which had long been put aside in favor of her husband’s. She’s still participating in group sessions led by Young.
“When I got divorced I realized I finally had the opportunity to focus on my career and goals,” Wehmann says. “While that was incredibly exciting, it was also a little intimidating.”
Her group members’ support and suggestions have been invaluable and empowering.
In 2017 Young plans to grow her business with new programs and virtual training, in addition to her coaching, workshops and speaking engagements. She’s grateful for being on a path that aligns with her own values. “We get an opportunity to create something every day based on those choices, and become very intentional and proud of what we’re creating, in little and big ways,” she says.
And that leaves a positive dent in the world, be it big or small.
Don’t miss Sarah Young discussing “Authenticity in Everyday Life” at BRAVA’s THRIVE Luncheon Nov. 10. For more go to BRAVAmagazine.com.
Healthy Place?
When my son was born, he had jaundice and struggled with breastfeeding. My doctor and lactation specialist share an office, they were able to talk; they definitely worked together.
My lactation consultant would use GHCMyChart to check in and see how things were going. I would call and I was able to get in the same day.
Lauren B.
FASHION
CINEMATIC APPEAL
Fashion designer and illustrator Steph Hagen describes her portfolio as “purely aesthetic”—using light strokes and whimsical themes to create distance from life’s struggles. Her artwork creates an oasis of couture and beauty.
For a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Hagen’s glam career, see Portrait of an Artist, P. 46
TIMELESS ELEGANCE
THERE’S NOTHING LIKE the elegance of a watch to elevate your fall wardrobe from “seen it” to “simply spectacular.” A flash of rose gold at your wrist adds a touch of sophistication, while the leather straps in earthy plum, lavender and burgundy perfectly complement the season’s fashion trends. Leave your iPhone in your handbag this fall—it’s time to embrace true luxury. – Elle Duncombe-Mills
STYLED & PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANNA WOLF
Top to bottom: Holland goldtone watch by Kate Spade, $195; Kate Spade New York Hilldale. Iro watch by Tokyo Bay, $110; Madison Modern Market. Big dial watch by Olivia Burton, $128; Anthropologie. Jaryn goldtone plum watch by Michael Kors, $195; The Boston Store
O CTOBER 1 9 , 20 16
C
CH ING AS A MAN A GMENT S T YLE :
W hether you ha ve an offic ia l title of manager or not, ever yone manages relationships in the wor kplace and in t heir pers o na l lives on a daily b asis. This workshop w ill explore different management styles an d th e core principles of coaching as an effective style The techniques t aught will lead to mor e engaged emp loyee s, more effective communication amo ng t eam member s and g re ater results, personally and profes siona lly!
DARCY LUOMA
Owner, Darcy Luoma Coaching and Consulting
Darcy is a nationally acclaimed speaker, Master Certified Coach, dynamic facilitator and lead instructor of the accredited Professional Life Coaching Certificate program at UW-Madison.
MADISON MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY
8:45 - 11:45 AM $55 per workshop
Explore… hundreds of exhibitors focused on all things for a woman’s life, including unique pop-up boutiques, savory treats, services to enhance your life, places to visit and so much more!
Engage… with local dynamic speakers on the American Family DreamBank Stage who will inspire and entertain!
Experience… try a fitness class, complete a quick creative project, and learn beauty tips from local experts, and so much more! There is something inspiring in store for everyone!
THE POWER OF ONE
BRINGING MEN INTO THE DOMESTIC ABUSE DISCUSSION
THE STATISTICS ABOUT domestic violence are staggering: Nationally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men are affected by domestic violence during their lifetimes. Locally, Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) estimates there are 12,000 incidents in Dane County annually—averaging 33 a day.
To help broaden prevention and education efforts, DAIS has launched a new campaign called Power of One, to bring men more into the discussion that until now has been dominated by women, be they victims or advocates.
“[Domestic abuse] impacts any and everybody,” says Kaitlyn Gaynor, communications manager at DAIS and lead coordinator of the campaign. “We wanted to create a safe space accessible to men who want to be involved, but don’ t know how.”
Launched in June, the Power of One campaign engage s adult men in the effort to end domestic abuse through education and social change. It is an extension of DAIS’ Men Encouraging Nonviolent Strength, or MENS, program aimed at addressing unhealthy relationships and masculinity in boys 11-14.
“Most men want to help end this epidemic. There’s a phrase, ‘most abusers are men, but most men aren’ t abusers ,’” says Gaynor. “We provide them with the tools to be role models for their kids.”
Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney, a longtime DAIS community partner, has pledged his support for the campaign’s mission, which includes receiving DAIS’ monthly call-to-action steps. “We have a responsibility. This is a unique opportunity for men to serve as examples and to serve the next generation in reducing violence against women,” Mahoney says.
He’s already implementing the Power of One concept at home.
“I use this model in raising my two sons…in hopes that they will be good partners and examples of role models to their peers.”
Within two months of launching the campaign, 33 percent of the 77 pledgers were male, DAIS says. Gaynor and Mahoney agree that it’s not just a men’s program, but emphasizing male involvement and boosting inclusivity may explain its initial success. The campaign is hoping to outdo its first-year goal of 100 members. Now that’s power! abuseintervention.org/powerofone.
–Kaitlyn Novotny
HEALTH
BEYOND THE BOOB JOB
BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY
isn’t always about vanity. Dr. Lee Wilke, director of the University of Wisconsin Breast Center, says other procedures that augment breasts may be due to post-cancer reconstruction or repairing developmental abnormalities such as breast underdevelopment.
Not everyone is eligible for augmentation. “If you’re a heavy smoker, if you’re a diabetic, the risk of infection is too high to go ahead and put a piece of plastic in,” Wilke says. That doesn’t mean the procedure is off the table for smokers, but it’s important to look at a person’s medical history before proceeding.
The procedures can be long and recovery time is generally six to eight weeks. Thinking about augmentation? Talk to your doctor, who can help you weigh the risks and rewards. “[With] breast cancer, it’s about a four-hour discussion,” Wilke says. “If a patient has breast cancer and we’re removing the breast, the risks of doing reconstruction are based on the treatment of that cancer.” –Emma Whitford
HEALTH
BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE
NO ONE KNOWS YOUR BODY better than you do, not even your doctor. But sometimes communicating with your doc isn’t always as beneficial as you’d like. Stephanie Johnson, advocacy coordinator at The Center
for Patient Partnerships at UW-Madison, shares a few tips about how to maximize your time at the doctor’s office.
Be prepared. “Some of us think we can have it all in our head, but as soon as you leave the office you think ‘oh, dang, I should have asked this question,’” Johnson says. Bring a list of questions to your appointment and ask them in order of importance. If you’re worried about keeping track of the answers, take along a trusted friend or family member to listen, too.
Be honest. “Refrain from saying what you think your doctor wants to hear,” Johnson says. Your doctor will provide the best care if they have the whole truth. Don’t hide your feelings—if you’re worried about something, let them know.
Be involved. Practice “shared decision making” with your doctor and do research to find out what treatment options may be available and the risks associated with each. Don’t hesitate to get a second opinion. It’s your body. –Emma Whitford
For more on advocating for your health, go to BRAVAmagazine.com.
The men and women of the law firm of von Briesen & Roper care passionately about their profession, their clients and their community. Committed to unparalleled service, recognized expertise and excellence, our people are invested in the success of their communities. Every year we support organizations that make a positive impact on the places we live, like Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center.
Because we believe it is important to give back, we want to take a moment to let you know about this great organization in our community.
www.vonbriesen.com 10 East Doty Street, Suite 900 Madison, WI 53703 608.441.0300
worry about that today.” But you wouldn’t put off planning for retirement because you don’t need your 401k today, would you? The same type of care you put into planning for your financial future should be applied to planning for health care needs.
Even simple decisions become exponentially more difficult in a crisis situation, so make sure you know what to do and where to turn in the event you need care. Talk to your parents about their wishes. Contact area agencies for information. Ask friends, family, or your doctor for recommendations. Research agencies that can provide additional care and support. Online resources like Medicare’s Home Health Compare website can be very helpful.
Q
You mention talking with parents about their wishes. Sometimes that’s easier said than done. Do you have any tips on starting that conversation?
AGING PARENTS?
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT CARING FOR
ASK JANET BOLLIG, MSSW
Q
Who is a caregiver?
I think most people assume unless they are providing constant round the clock care they don’t qualify to call themselves caregivers, and that is simply not true. If you do things like help with household tasks, manage schedules, drive to appointments, or assist with activities like grooming or bathing, you are in fact a caregiver.
Q
Mom and dad are getting older, how do I know if they need extra help?
Reluctance to initiate this type of conversation is common, as is resistance to the topic by aging parents. Understanding and patience is paramount. Approach the topic as a team; to succeed everyone works together. Having a series of smaller conversations instead of one “big” one can make things less daunting as well.
Some questions to get you started include:
“Who would I want to make decisions for me if I were ever unable? Do they know what I want?”
“Where do I see myself living – home, retirement community, somewhere else?”
“If I need medical care, do I know where to go and what my options are?”
This type of conversation works both ways. You are never too young to start planning for the future. In fact, talking to your parents about your wishes, concerns, and research, can help broach the topic.
QAny final pieces of advice for caregivers?
Home Health United 4639 Hammersley Rd., Madison (800) 924-2273
HomeHealthUnited.org
As we age we all slow down a little, but sometimes certain changes can indicate the need for additional care. When you see or talk with your parents keep an eye (or an ear) out for signs they might need a little help. Perhaps they have fallen, or they aren’t as steady on their feet as they once were. They may have lost or gained weight. Maybe they are more forgetful than they used to be. Are they having difficulty navigating everyday tasks that used to be easy? Are they managing any medical conditions or medications as well as they once did?
Q
What is the one piece of advice you would give someone who is or who may soon be in the position of caring for aging loved ones?
Plan, plan and plan some more! Many people put off planning thinking they “don’t need to
I want every single caregiver to know they are incredible people. Give yourself the recognition you deserve, and make sure you care for yourself as much as you care for your loved one. Take breaks. Finding time to relax, even if you only find a few minutes each day, is important. Take care of yourself. You cannot care for others effectively if you are run down.
Janet Bollig, MSSW, is a Medical Social Worker with Home Health United who has been helping patients and families navigate their health care journeys for over 25 years. Home Health United is a nonprofit agency providing home health, palliative care, hospice, home medical equipment, infusion pharmacy and community health services. Request an informational visit by calling (800) 924-2273 or visit HomeHealthUnited.org.
HAPPINESS
IT’S A CHOICE, NOT AN ELUSIVE
PERFECTION
BY EMILY LEAS
WHAT IS HAPPINESS? A goal to be achieved, a journey to be taken or the little moments in life that light us up along the way? Is it possible for everyone to find a small bit of happiness in their lives? Here we ask four local experts to explore the idea of happiness, obstacles that jump in our way and tips for grasping this elusive feeling in our lives, even when it seems impossible.
First, to understand happiness, perhaps we should start with unhappiness, a feeling that is more common and more easily expressed in our chaotic, must-always-be-busy
lives. That balled up emotion in the pit of our stomachs, the drain in energy, jealousy, anxiety, depression—so many emotions and states of mind lurch at us every day, often from places that are hidden within ourselves.
Tina Paulus-Krause, founder of TrueYou, a coaching business she describes as “a safe space for women to grow in mind, body and spirit,” says that most of us are very good at bottling up the bad things in our lives.
“Holding on to this negative energy manifests itself in ugly and toxic behaviors,” she explains. “This creates baggage that we take along each day and holds us back from living a healthy and happy life.”
And before anyone can define what happiness truly means to them, PaulusKrause continues, they have to do the work to get rid of the baggage, release that weight that may be holding them back. Throw in an expectation of perfection bombarding us from social media and our culture in general, and that baggage gets even heavier. As societal pressures define how to act, dress and be, a picture forms in our heads of what that perfection is.
“We spend all of our energy trying to attain that perfection and it’s an impossible goal in the first place,” says PaulusKrause. “Along the way, we feel unworthy, not smart enough, not happy or not pretty. So often we turn out our light and close ourselves off because we want that protection.”
As a licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Christine Foskett often sees her patients struggle to find their inner selves, as that voice of truth gets crowded out early on as an individual learns to adapt to the world.
“Sometimes this inner self even gets split off and becomes a total stranger,” she says. “To begin to know your essential self, there may be a lot of emotional and psychic clutter that has to be weeded through.”
Understanding that there may be many false selves and masks that you have had to develop in order to survive your environment is a critical step in the journey toward finding the true you.
Teresa Atkins, certified master life coach, adds that women, especially, have a pact with each other to not act as if we are enjoying ourselves. Who’s the busiest, who’s the most stressed and who’s giving up more of their own happiness in service of doing for others?
Thanks to all of our sponsors and guests for a swanky event. It truly was the bee’s knees!
OWN WHAT YOU OWN: self-accountability
MAKE TIME FOR THE IMPORTANT THINGS: satisfy your core values.
FIND YOUR TRIBE: people who liven you up.
SEEK EXPERIENCES OVER STUFF: create memories.
LOOK INTO THE MIRROR: get true and honest with yourself.
CULTIVATE GRATITUDE: gain perspective.
LOVE YOURSELF FIRST: be authentic.
CREATE A RESONANT YES: say no to what doesn’t align with your values.
FIND YOUR OUTLET: make joy-seeking a priority.
For a deeper discussion on each of these tips with our experts, visit BRAVAmagazine.com.
But what if, just for a moment, we actually find pleasure, gratitude or peace in our lives? Does that mean we have to stop longing, yearning and striving for more?
The easy answer is that happiness is not so much about a destination or a tangible object that can be snatched out of the air, held closely and settled into like a warm blanket. As Foskett notes, this idea of happiness as a fleeting feeling is ego-based and dependent on achievement and outer circumstances.
When working with her coaching clients, Atkins often starts with visualization exercises to get below the radar of our thinking minds.
“HAPPINESS IS SOMETHING WE CREATE, EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY THROUGH EVERY CHOICE THAT WE MAKE, IN BOTH BIG AND SMALL WAYS.”
“It’s a product of the choices that we make,” says Sarah Young, owner of Zing Collaborative and certified coach. “Happiness is something we create, every moment of every day through every choice that we make, in both big and small ways.”
–SARAH YOUNG, ZING COLLABORATIVE
“For us to be really happy, we need to know ourselves very well and to do that we need to get past our emotional responses to our surroundings,” she says. The pursuit of perfection, thinking that something external will be the pinnacle of happiness—that new car, bigger house, validation from our peers— is often the barrier to understanding who we really are and what brings us peace and confidence.
But what is at the heart of happiness? Our experts used common words to describe what is often thought of as just a nebulous, unobtainable feeling: alignment, values, gratitude, self-understanding and authenticity. Getting past the clutter, releasing the baggage and digging into our true authentic selves is the first step to being open to happiness.
“I find that people often want a fast solution. They want someone else to fix them,” says Foskett. “They don’t want to accept the fact that some amount of suffering is an unavoidable part of life.”
Accepting that you may have to work through painful experiences or memories, and understanding that in some ways, these shape how you’ll be able to define happiness, allows for the transformation to occur.
“When you bring your focus internal, and you start working on yourself—because you can only control yourself, right?—that brings accountability in,” says Paulus-Krause. “I think you’ll find that happiness is going to come from different places than you expected.”
Young suggests that to start getting crystal clear on those values, we take a moment to reflect on each day. What does my daily life look like and where do those values show up or not show up? If there are values that are not reflected anywhere on my schedule how can I begin to incorporate them?
“And on the flip side, if my schedule is full of all these things that don’t align with my values where can I begin to say no, or delegate or transition so that I can begin to live a daily schedule that really aligns with my values?” says Young.
Once you have a basic idea of those values, what lights you up, act in accordance with those values every minute of every
day. Easier said than done as we are challenged with those creeping feelings—resentment, judgement, jealousy, selfdoubt—every day.
“Especially as women, there’s a bit of a rub between what we believe and what we feel and then how we show up at different parts of our lives,” says Young. “For example, I hear from a lot of women that around certain people at work, they have to say nothing when they want to say something, or they have to act in a way that doesn’t align with their values.”
Practicing to have the courage in both our professional and personal lives to say what we feel in a truthful, honest and compassionate way not only builds confidence, suggests Young, but gives us a sense of control over our own actions and feelings so that we don’t have those micromoments, where there’s dissonance between what we say or how we behave and what we actually value.
And what’s the easiest way to find those micro-moments of happiness each day?
Gratitude. Again and again, our experts came back to this simple notion that often escapes us as we compare, judge and need more and more.
“Take five minutes to shut out the rest of the world and center yourself on those simple things that you have and can control,” says Paulus-Krause. “When you can find that gratefulness in the moment, it will always bring you back to happy, and bring you back to perspective and center.”
And then don’t be afraid to share it! Young notes it can be very vulnerable to convey to people that we are actually happy.
“But especially for women, it can be very powerful to be honest about that,” she says. “That doesn’t mean we have to brag or be arrogant, but we can give ourselves permission to be really happy or to have something joyful happen and share that with others without having to downplay it.”
Next time you catch yourself downplaying your happiness—something that you’ve worked hard to create—catch yourself in the act and stop to recognize it, embrace it and share it.
For expert tips on creating happy moments and a joyful daily life, visit BRAVAmagazine.com.
DESIGNERS ARE KITCHEN AND BATH EXPERTS!
HAUTE SHOPPE
FALL INTO NEW DESIGN
Is your home ready for a makeover? There is no time like the present! Rubin's specializes in chic furnishings and modern accessories. Stop by today and be pleasantly surprised by our wide selection of contemporary furnishings.
IN-STYLE & WEATHER-READY
Classic Hunter boots give you colorful fashion and amazing function, with waterproof construction that stands up to rain, mud and slush. See our NEW store near Sur La Table.
Rubin’s Contemporary Furniture
317 E. Wilson St., Madison (608) 255-8998
670 S. Whitney Way, Madison (608) 274-5575 rubinsfurniture.com
SHOP FOR PINK & WELCOME A CURE
Breast cancer welcome mats: 25% of the retail cost on each mat sold is donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Use indoor or outdoor.
Hilldale - Madison (608) 238-9282
Coyle Carpet One Floor & Home
250 W. Beltline Hwy., Madison (608) 257-0291
coylecarpet.com
NEED A DISTINCTIVE NEW LOOK
The Montage offers experienced design consultants in a boutique setting offering specialty finds for home decor and fashion attire. Stop in to say hi and experience our friendly customer service and talents.
Hours: M-F 10-5:30, Sat 10-5, Sun 11-4
The Montage 5808 Hwy. 51, McFarland (608) 838-7505 themontagehome.com
Cornblooms
Purple Goose
HAUTE SHOPPE
STYLE, HOMETOWN CHARM
An eclectic boutique proudly serving the Madison area for 11 years. Women's fashion, home furnishings & so much more. Come see what you've been missing!
JULISKA MONTH AT
CHAUETTE HOME
This October kicks off our 3rd annual Juliska month! Receive door prizes, gift with purchase, fun events and much more! Juliska month goes through Oct 31st. Find more details by visiting our website, www.chauettehome.com
Chauette 7466 Hubbard Ave, Middleton (608) 836-5366
LIGHT IT UP ILLUMINATE YOUR OUTDOOR SPACES
by elle duncombe-mills
SUMMER AND FALL IN WISCONSIN make everybody want to get outside, and you can’t beat the backyard for a place to play, entertain and just plain laze about. So why not extend those lingering days into the night with some well-planned outdoor lighting? Paul Ganshert, owner of Ganshert Nursery & Landscapes in Fitchburg, offers these tips to transform any yard into a beautiful, functional 24-7 playground.
Spotlight Your Fave Features
Decide which landscape features are special to you, whether it’s an ancient willow tree or your new mum patch. The right lighting can direct a viewer’s gaze, drawing it away from dull spots and instead toward the yard’s highlights.
Don’t overdo it
The key to a chic lighting design is restraint. Ganshert says that homeowners’ biggest
mistake is over-lighting, or not leaving enough distance between light sources. The landscape should be a balanced composition, with positive and negative space for the eyes to dance between.
Get Technical
Once you’ve got the basics down, explore more possibilities. Looking to conserve energy? Set timers to illuminate your outdoor space only during the optimal evening hours. Feeling a bit more adventurous? Try lights that smoothly filter through the colors of a sunset. Want to avoid bug bites? Mosquito-repelling lights are all the rage. Now that sounds like something to buzz about.
For more information, visit Ganshert Nursery & Landscapes in Fitchburg or go to ganshert.com.
A RUSTIC ROMANCE IN HOME DÉCOR
BY ELLE DUNCOMBE-MILLS
EMBRACE THE EARTHINESS OF AUTUMN with a rustic new look for your living space. Avoid cool tones in this chilly season and add warmth instead with eclectic woods, stones and metals. Look for unique statement pieces to bring an element of mystery and romance into your home, and let their stories inspire you.
Clockwise from top left: Petrified wood tray, $50; Fontaine. Forest walk plates, set of four, by Julisha, $108; The Home Market. Bulan pillow by D.V Kap, $93; Madison Lighting. Wooden shoe mirror, $500, ammo box succulent wall art, $350. Fontaine, Vintage window pane art, prices vary; The Montage.
INTERIOR DESIGN SHOWCASE
PERFECT PICKS FROM NONN’S DESIGNERS
You know about big box prices at Nonn’s, but what about boutique selections? With a diverse inventory of flooring, cabinetry, countertops and appliances, some help from a Nonn’s designer can be a big timesaver.
“We are all very knowledgeable about what we have to offer our customers,” says Nonn’s Designer Lisa Garvan. “And we all have our favorites. Lately, I’ve been recommending ceramic or porcelain tiles that have the look of wood. They’re more durable than wood flooring, add a sense of warmth to the space, and can be used in wet areas where wood does not hold up.”
Kitchen Designer Lauren Johnson says the most popular trend in cabinetry is frameless construction. “People love the clean, modern lines and especially the extra storage space.”
Nonn’s Middleton
7550 Graber Road (608) 836-8833
Nonn’s Madison
5952 Haase Road (608) 824-1092 nonns.com
“Every single slab of our granite is custom-sourced and custom-made by Nonn’s,” says Designer Nicole Behnke, for whom the product is a favorite. “You can visit our warehouse and pick out the exact slab you want in your home and we’ll take care of the rest. That level of control is unheard of. It’s priceless.”
Appliance Division Designer Mary Kay Richards says the hottest new appliance color is slate. “That’s right, slate. It’s a chameleon. If you have brown, it’ll look taupe. If you have white, it’ll look gray. And thanks to its painted matte finish, it won’t hold finger smudges!” Finding the perfect picks is half the work. And you can save time by trusting the designers at Nonn’s to do it for you.
MARY KAY RICHARDS, LAUREN JOHNSON, NICOLE BEHNKE, LISA GARVAN
INTERIOR DESIGN SHOWCASE
DEFINING STYLES & DESIGNING DREAMS
Your home is your most important investment.
It’s the place where family and friends gather to enjoy life and be together. That’s why we are so passionate about helping you design a home that is uniquely yours...the perfect setting for countless memories to be made. Everyone has their own personal style and flair…your home should too! Our award-winning designers work closely with each individual client to carefully evaluate lifestyle needs, design preferences, and assist in designing one-of-a-kind rooms with a punch of personality that truly defines you!
Dreamhouse Dreamkitchens 5117 Verona Rd., Madison (608) 204-7575
dream-kitchens.com
We help our clients through the entire design and remodel process, beginning with spatial design and continuing all the way through selections. From paint colors to hardware, our designers will be by your side every step of the way.
We’ve been here in Madison as a local family business for 30 years and have years of design experience of our senior designers with the dynamic, fresh perspective of our “next generation” design engineers, and have built a design team that is second to none.
Work with a company that is truly passionate about making your dreams a reality, and let’s build them together.
INTERIOR DESIGN SHOWCASE
IF YOU LIVE IN IT, YOU SHOULD LOVE IT!
Denise Quade, CMKBD
Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer “one of 3 in the state” (608) 663-9100
5380 King James Way, Madison dquade@denisequade.com www.denisequade.com
Based in the metropolitan Madison area and serving much of South Central Wisconsin and more, Denise Quade and her team pledge that your new kitchen or bath will reflect your personality, suit your lifestyle and dazzle your friends.
Building a new home or undertaking a remodeling project is a fun and exciting time. It also can be a time of temporary disruption. We will walk you through the process step-by-step, providing guidance with the many decisions involved and collaborating with you as your project unfolds.
Our years of industry experience and meticulous attention to detail help us bring your vision to life while meeting schedule and budget expectations. We thrive on creating enduring relationships based on trust and incomparable service.
Denise Quade Design … dedicated to adding beauty, comfort and convenience to your life. If you live in it, you should love it!
Visit our showroom at 5380 King James Way on Madison’s west side and view stunning vignettes of kitchens, baths, entertainment centers — and more.
DENISE QUADE
INTERIOR DESIGN SHOWCASE
A DESIGNER’S EYE ON WINDOWS
“Let’s be honest, with so many options available choosing the right windows and doors for your home can be a daunting task. My goal is to help you narrow your focus, prioritize, and decide on the perfect solution for your personal needs. Every client presents a unique design opportunity. Your project is special and it should be treated as such.”
With 30 years of interior design and sales experience and in a field historically dominated by men, Kelly Hofmeister offers a women’s perspective on your window and door needs. After graduating with a degree in interior design from Madison College, Kelly started her career in retail furniture with an emphasis on space planning, color, finish, and fabric consultation before turning her designer’s eye towards windows and doors. Whether you are building your dream-home or remodeling an existing space to meet your current needs, her attention to detail, focus on value-engineering, and personal service will help simplify your project. A highly-adaptive personality enables her to easily tackle obstacles with grace and meet the ever-changing needs of today’s homeowner. Visit Kelly in Window Design Center’s showroom today!
KELLY HOFMEISTER
INTERIOR DESIGN SHOWCASE
DRAWING ON EXPERIENCE TO HELP FUTURE DESIGNERS
Madison College is known nationally for its accomplished instructors. Lisa Nienhaus is among them. Before becoming an educator, she spent 14 years living her passion for kitchen and bath design.
This accomplished interior designer is a graduate of Madison College’s interior design program. Lisa is a long-standing member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and has held numerous leadership positions in its Wisconsin/Upper Michigan Chapter, including a term as president. She is an award-winning interior designer, Certified Kitchen Designer and Certified Bath Designer.
She returned to Madison College in 2005 to share her real-world experience with students. Lisa teaches courses in kitchen and bath design, construction methods, textiles, and history of interior design and architecture.
While kitchen and bath design are close to her heart, she is also a history buff. “I adore history and try to incorporate a little history into every class I teach.”
Madison College 1701 Wright St., Madison (608) 246-6100 madisoncollege.edu
MARLING LUMBER & HOMEWORKS: DESIGN WITH EXPERIENCE
Debi Cox is an experienced kitchen and bath designer who has worked in a wide variety of design environments -- from budget kitchens in rural Wisconsin to historic homes in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her 30+ year background gives her confidence to work comfortably with clients no matter what their needs and budget dictate.
Tracy Gosell has 12 years of experience in kitchen and bath design. The trends he has seen allow him to apply his knowledge to your project. He also knows no two kitchens or baths are alike and with the numerous choices available for cabinetry, countertops, plumbing, etc., he can make that space - yours.
Marling Lumber & HomeWorks
613 Atlas Avenue, Madison (608) 221-2222 marling.com
DEBI COX AND TRACY GOSELL
LISA NIENHAUS
INTERIOR DESIGN SHOWCASE
DESIGN, BUILD, INSTALL— WE DO IT ALL!
For almost 40 years, Waunakee Remodeling’s talented design staff and skilled craftsmen have helped Madison-area homeowners transform their homes into beautiful, unique spaces. Waunakee Remodeling is a full design, build and install firm.
Our certified and award-winning designers will help you select samples and choose colors and textures that will turn any room into a customized showplace. We listen carefully and offer functional, elegant solutions to reflect your unique lifestyle.
Planning and developing a remodeling project, whether simple or extraordinary, can be difficult. That’s why we do all the heavy lifting, and leave the fun part—the finished product—for you.
Waunakee Remodeling
5906 Odana Rd., Madison 1001 Frank St., Waunakee (608) 849-5155 waunakeeremodeling.com
JASON RUDY, AMANDA MAUND, JENNY VAVRICKA, MEGAN SERGENIAN
SHIFTING SILHOUETTES STEPH HAGEN DESIGNS TO DELIGHT.
BY RACHEL WERNER
STEPH HAGEN’S DESIGN STYLE isn’t easily typecast, and she likes it that way.
Hagen moved to Madison after an impressive run in the film and television industry at Screen Gem Studios in North Carolina drafting wardrobe sketches and staging artwork on sets. She now works as a product designer at American Girl helping shape the vision of the Beforever historical doll line.
“Early on in my career, people told me that to be successful, you needed to have a look that was identifiable as your work. I don’t—and it’s a benefit. By having so many styles and working in so many mediums, I easily develop pieces for different characters like creating paintings for Viola Davis in ‘Nights in Rodanthe’ or the school artwork of a 5 year old on ‘One Tree Hill,’” she explains.
Hagen got interested in fashion as a child, when she loved to play dress up and she realized “how simply putting on a different outfit could transform whom you are.” She then progressed to sneaking fabric samples from her father’s textile stash—leftovers from his days studying textile design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York—to make outfits for herself and her dolls. She also began to make images with oils, acrylics and via collage. Eventually she studied figure drawing at the University of North Carolina.
Hagen’s artistic wheelhouse includes commissioned portraits, children’s book illustrations and digital renderings. She says, “Most of my work is purely aesthetic, light and whimsical. Sometimes people need a break from politics, controversy and personal struggles to find deeper meanings in life.” stephhagens.com.
Learn Hagen’s trade tricks during her Texture and Fashion Drawing workshop at One- One Thousand. Nov.5. oneonethousand.net.
AUTOMOTIVE SALES & SERVICE
INTRODUCING THE ALL NEW CHRYSLER PACIFICA.
There are no typical days for the modern family, only equally chaotic. The all-new Chrysler Pacifica is up to multitask and what happens between the schedule lines? Moments that are not planned. They remind us of what it is like to be a kid again. Introducing 37 segment first features invented to calm the storm of busy lives together.
Don Miller Dodge, Chryser, Jeep, Ram 5802 Odana Rd., Madison (888) 466-1138
donmillerdodgechryslerjeep.com
MAZDA CX-9
To Mazda, Driving Matters. It’s what inspired us to reimagine the 3-row SUV and create our most premium and innovative vehicle yet. The All-New Mazda CX-9 is designed to impress in every way. It offers athletic, yet sophisticated exterior styling and a refined interior with indulgent details.
Don Miller Mazda 5812 Odana Rd., Madison (877) 360-8004
donmillermazda.com
SUBARU FORESTER
The Subaru Forester, redesigned 2017, was inspired to do more. Outstanding versatility, great fuel economy and an impressive safety reputation make the 2017 Forester a favorite when it comes to pursuing your passions with those you care about the most.
Don Miller Subaru West 5822 Odana Rd., Madison (888) 485-0531
donmillersubaruwest.com
Don Miller Subaru East 5339 Wayne Terrace., Madison (888) 478-0996
donmillersubarueast.com
AUTOMOTIVE SALES & SERVICE
East Madison Toyota
3501 Lancaster Drive, Madison (800) 834-8941 eastmadisontoyota.com
FROM SALES TO SERVICE PARTS AND CUSTOMER RELATIONS
The women behind East Madison Toyota make up one of the most diverse and competent female staffs in the Madison market. Some of the female sales associates working for East Madison Toyota have been established within the dealer for years. One associate named Tashi who is affectionately known as the Toyota Lady, has been with East Madison Toyota for nearly 20 years and counting. Kat, the advanced shop manager, has grown in her position from service to parts to her current managerial role.
Both departments, Sales and Management, are deemed by Wineke as "being a strong part of our core values and female-friendly concepts in all departments." The women behind East Madison Toyota are challenging a traditionally male workplace, proving that there are many advantages to diversifying the automotive market.
CAR SHOPPING THAT’S PERSONAL AND FUN!
The women of Wilde East Towne Honda are here to make your car shopping experience personal, professional and fun! Expect world-class customer care while getting the best value for your car.
Our goal is to give you an amazing experience through staff relationships and dealership amenities. Enjoy a stress-free shopping and service destination with amenities such as a green rooftop customer lounge, Wi-Fi, iMacs, iPads, TVs, a huge salt water aquarium, play areas for kids and a free shuttle to nearby destinations.
With hundreds of new and used cars in stock, inspected and ready to go, you’re sure to find the style and color of your heart’s desire.
Come to Wilde East Towne Honda. We aspire to be the dealership of choice for all your automotive needs.
Wilde East Towne Honda
5555 High Crossing Blvd., Madison (608) 242-5500 wildeeasttownehonda.com
THE WOMEN OF EAST MADISON TOYOTA
THE WOMEN OF WILDE EAST TOWNE HONDA
WITHTHECRISPAUTUMN AIRCOMESAFEELINGOF REGALYETUNDERSTATED ELEGANCE,ONETHAT EMBRACESTHEDARKENINGDAYSWITHEARTHY ESSENTIALSLIKEPLUMS ANDDARKGREENS. YET,ITFLIRTSWITH SEASONSPASTANDTHEIR LUSCIOUSLACESAND FLORALPOPS.INDULGE INASENSEOFSEASONAL SPLENDORANDPLUNGE INTOAUTUMNWITH PLAYFULNESSANDPOISE.
Seasonal Sophistication
BY
On Model:
Madison patent shoulder bag by Marc Jacobs, $425; Twigs. Navy trench coat by Yumi, $192, blush lace A-line dress by Frock Shop, $102; Mes Amies Boutique. Peeptoe burnished nubuck heel by Vince, $350; Vince.
ELLE DUNCOMBE-MILLS | STYLED AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANNA WOLF
Luisa amber ale sunglasses by Toms, $139; Shoo. Mousesequins top in lotus print by Essentiel Antwerp, $218; Twigs. Imprinted copper cuff by Kshan Jewels, $48, patch pocket flare jeans by Liverpool Jeans Company, $89; Velvet Button Boutique.
Lily flat by Restricted, $50; Shoo. Sun city sunglasses by Wonderland, $180, cashmere and silk scarf by Chan Luu, $172, pencil skirt by Maison and Scotch, $149; Twigs.
Gable dress in vintage floral by Cupcakes and Cashmere, $115, archer blazer in port by Rag & Bone, $525; Twigs. Crescent ring, $90; Shoo.
(Left) Military mele blazer by Maison Scotch, $235; Twigs. Stone and bead necklace, $58, Luisa amber ale sunglasses by Toms, $139; Shoo. Fringe rebel necklace by JWL, $128, suede wrap dress by Joh, $108; Velvet Button Boutique.
(Above) Madison patent shoulder bag by Marc Jacobs, $425; Twigs. Embossed Majorca peep toe bootie by Toms, $120, stone pendant necklace, $160, stell gray clutch, $29; Shoo. Tamara Beaded Necklace by JWL, $89; Velvet Button Boutique.
About the Model
FULL NAME: KéNisha Ruff
AGE: 28
OCCUPATIONS: Business owner, makeup artist, blogger and image consultant
FAMILY: I have a 7-year-sold son named Cash. You grew up in Chicago. How did this big city upbringing influence your personal style and interest in fashion?
The never ending amount of different types of personalities, style and cultures in bigger cities are amazing. They say “Every day is a fashion show and the world is your runway” and you definitely get to experience that living in Chicago.
How have your fashion tastes evolved?
While I am a true minimalist at heart, over the past couple of years I have ventured out of that comfort zone and I have added more color and prints/patterns to my wardrobe.
What inspired you to create your cosmetics company Marie Hunter Beauty?
It is centered around the motto “Confidence Speaks Volumes.” With that in mind, I wanted to create a line where women from all walks of life would be able to find a product or shade that makes them feel most confident.
Who is Marie Hunter?
Marie Hunter is a combination of my middle name and my son’s middle name.
You say, “I don’t believe in following trends, I believe in following self-expression.” Tell us more.
I formed my fashion philosophy based upon what’s important to me and what fits my budget. I would much rather pay $300 for a pair of classic designer flats that I can wear season after season than to spend $300 on the latest trendy items and have them be outdated by the end of the season.
Give any girl a quick fashion tip:
Blazers and biker jackets are always the quick fix for any outfit. Accessories are important too. I’m personally not big on wearing jewelry, so I like to make a statement with a bold watch, hat, shoes or handbag.
What is the most common fashion mistake you see?
Leggings being worn as pants and leggings that are worn out. Leggings should be worn with longer garments such as tunics, oversized shirts and sweaters.
What brings you the absolute most joy in your day-to-day life?
First and foremost, my son; finding out I was pregnant with him is what pushed me to pursue my dreams of working in the fashion and beauty industry.
For BRAVA’s complete interview with Ruff, visit BRAVAmagazine. com
KeNisha in her favorite photo shoot outfit; Jeraldine coat in black and charcoal by Diane von Furstenberg, $498, ankle leggings in vintage bordeaux brown by Adriano Goldschmied, $235, Barry in indigo flannel by Frank & Eileen, $198; Twigs. Silver studs, $32, spike necklace, $78, Wendy bootie by Chelsea Black Label, $109; Shoo.
The Theory of Evolution
EDITOR’S NOTE: One hour before press time we learned Marchionni resigned for unspecified reasons.
Lands’ End CEO Federica Marchionni's Fashionable Vision
BY MARNI MCENTEE | PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANNA WOLF HAIR AND MAKEUP BY JENNA BARNAS, LEAD COSMETOLOGIST AT THE EDGEWATER SPA
Lands’ End CEO Federica Marchionni beams as she passes around the company’s glossy Men’s Fall 2016 catalog, with a cover image of the Wisconsin State Capitol amid the capitol square’s shedding trees, all illustrated in the golds and yellows of the season.
The cover image, Marchionni says, is one way she’s demonstrating that the venerable Lands’ End brand, based in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, remains loyal to its Midwestern roots, its founding values and its longtime customers—even as she keeps a focused eye on the future.
Because, as its declining financial performance in recent years illustrates, including a net retail revenue loss of 4.3 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2016, Lands’ End is ready for a boost. To that end Marchionni is incrementally changing the retailer’s style options, including the launch of a new upscale line called Canvas by Lands’ End, and beefing up its beach-inspired swimwear and gear.
To be sure, longtime customers can still count on the school uniforms, Oxford shirts and khaki pants of yore.
“We will never lose an ounce of focus on our loyal long-term customers. They have always been our highest priority and we have made every effort to ensure their continued and growing support through updates to the core collection in keeping with the brand’s DNA customers,” Marchionni says.
But Marchionni maintains that attracting a younger demographic is the key to reviving the brand’s revenues. The Canvas line is a departure from the company’s more casual vibe, offering an au courant selection in European cuts of brightly colored, sassy dresses, skinny jeans, stylish, tailored jackets and seriously sexy high-heeled pumps, booties and Mary Janes.
“As Lands’ End continues to look ahead to a highly competitive and evolving global environment, we must constantly be innovating and reinventing to stay relevant and seek new ways to reach the full potential of the brand,” Marchionni says.
When she arrived at Lands’ End in Dodgeville, she noted that many of the company’s own employees weren’t donning the brand. As she’s altered the look, she says, more employees are shopping where they work.
Product information: Sleeveless fluted skirt dress in dark boysenberry, wrap trench coat in pale pink; Canvas by Lands’ End Opposite: Lands’ End outfit design sketches.
While Marchionni chats in her spacious, glasswalled office overlooking Dodgeville’s lush high-summer prairie, she’s sporting items from the fall Canvas by Lands’ End 2016 line, including a fitted, boysenberry fluted skirt dress and some of those sleek pumps. Later, she models a peony-pink long winter trench in the softest of fabrics that, she’s proud to say, retails for about $300.
The Italian born 44-year-old is a natural in the brand’s stylish new options. She came to Lands’ End from her post as president of luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, USA, and she says curating her personal, feminine style is even more important while serving as a rare female in the executive suite.
“I wasn’t always in the fashion world but I always had my style,” Marchionni says. “Because that was the thing that I always wanted to maintain in this male world. I always said ‘I want to be me,’ and I like femininity. I sometimes see women who are very aggressive. I am determined, I don’t want to say that I’m not, but I’m trying to be smooth as much as possible. I don’t think we need to almost portray a male side. That’s not very much my style.”
Marchionni’s efforts at Lands’ End, which began February 2015, haven’t been without some bumps and bruises. Most memorable, probably, was the kerfuffle over Marchionni’s interview with feminist icon Gloria Steinem in what was supposed to be a new catalog series called “Legends.” But Steinem’s long-held view that abortion should be safe and legal, which wasn’t discussed in the interview, threw some of Lands’ End’s more conservative customers into a tizzy, and prompted some religious schools that were regular purchasers of Lands End’ uniforms to threaten to end their patronage.
When Lands’ End pulled the interview, other customers in favor of abortion rights were equally incensed. The company’s published apology was meant to end the Sisyphean tug of vastly different political agendas that Marchionni says she never meant to dabble in.
“I felt obliged, in a good way, to apologize,” Marchionni says. “It doesn’t mean that you’re weak. It doesn’t mean that you don’t believe in what you were saying—that is, supporting women. But if the apology makes everybody happy, just do it.”
The financial press has voraciously followed Marchionni’s stint at Lands’ End, and one local paper resorted to quoting unnamed former employees excoriating Marchionni’s leadership style and presentation in a story about how she’s shaken up the timeworn employer.
But she’s continuing full speed ahead, attempting to right this sometimes faltering ship of 6,000 employees, 4,000 in Wisconsin.
When it’s suggested that, in light of the Steinem debacle, one simply can’t please everyone, Marchionni points her finger at the doubter, saying with flashing eyes, “Nothing is impossible!”
She’s recently brought in New York fashion world veteran Chieh Tsai, who took the role as vice president for design. Tsai has embraced the Wisconsin lifestyle by settling with her husband in Mineral Point, which she loves for its “great artistic vibe.”
Tsai says she hadn’t met Marchionni before coming to interview at Lands’ End, but she knew she’d left Dolce and found that intriguing.
“Federica is so passionate about Lands’ End and her energy is contagious,” Tsai says. “It’s so exciting to work with her since her vision is the perfect balance of embracing the heritage but pushing us ahead to be relevant and innovative for today.”
Marchionni reviews creative concepts with Matt Trainor, executive creative director, left, and Becky Gebhardt, chief marketing officer.
Self-Made Success
Marchionni is not the first female CEO of Lands’ End, but she is only the second. Much has been said about how her experience at Dolce & Gabbana, with its wispy runway model fashion, is incongruent with the Lands’ End look. But Marchionni is quick to point out that her career experience is far deeper than her stint at Dolce. And, that contrast also made Lands’ End an enticing get for her, a challenge she’d not yet encountered.
She started her career in the telecommunications industry, often as the only woman in business meetings when she started in her 20s at Samsung in the mid-1990s and later at Erickson.
“I learned quickly that I needed to be confident, have the courage to speak up and add value to the conversation,” she says of those early days.
At Samsung, “my Korean boss told me ‘I did not want to hire you.’” But, another Samsung exec had backed Marchionni. “This guy really supports you and I hope he’s right,” she recalls the boss saying to her. “And of course I said ‘I will prove he is right.’”
Later, she was chief of brand for nonvehicle products at Ferrari, another Italian luxury brand, before moving to Dolce.
“Few people knew that my career spans over different industries and price points,” she says about how she was received when she started at Lands’ End. “I trained for this job and I had all the tools to create a strategy that works for Lands’ End to make it a meaningful lifestyle brand.”
Marchionni hails from an Italian seaside village, where her son Gabriel, 8, still spends summers with his grandmothers. But, since she was a little girl, she longed to come to America and dreamed of one day living in New York City, where she now resides. She lives there most of the time and makes twice-monthly trips to Wisconsin, as well as trips to other Lands’ End sites around the nation, and occasionally international trips. When here, she stays at the Edgewater Hotel in Madison and is whisked by a driver to Dodgeville every day.
She says she’s proud of being a self-made woman, adding that she knew from the age of 16 that she wanted to be a CEO.
“Many people are smart and have a lot of capabilities and skills, but you need to know what you really want to end up doing it. The moment you know, it’s easier for you to make the right choices. My career path definitely pointed toward the role I have today, which is exactly where I wanted to be.”
Much of the journey involved self-study and networking, which Marchionni continues today.
Rolling up her sleeves: Marchionni and Vice President for Design Chieh Tsai talk about product details; On Marchionni, elbow sleeve sweater dress in slate; Lands’ End.
A Day in the Life
Like many CEOs, Marchionni doesn’t have much time for herself, though she vows she strongly believes in mens sana in corpore sano—healthy mind, healthy body. And she certainly looks fit; a petite woman with a tiny waist and flawless light olive skin.
Her work day begins without breakfast and inevitably rolls into evenings in New York spent mingling at events and dinners “to maximize networking and partnership opportunities.” Her day ends after her son goes to bed and she’s checked emails in an effort to greet the next morning with an empty inbox. When in New York, she takes Gabriel to school every morning.
“The weekend is the time to re-energize and spend time with my son,” she says, calling him a perfect Lands’ End ambassador, thrilled his single mom is a CEO and planning on working at the company one day himself.
The 24-7 hustle is exactly what Marchionni signed up for, though, and one of the things she loves about America, where she feels she can meld her Italian heritage and its appreciation for art, culture and the continental lifestyle with America’s can-do spirit.
“You never know why you fell in love. You just fell in love,” she says of her passion for the United States. “And I felt at home. The culture of this country is very enthusiastic and I am an enthusiastic person. It’s very ‘yes, we do!’”
Here, she says, even if you make a mistake, a doover is always possible.
You Say You Want an Evolution
Tsai, who joined Lands’ End in May, says her first full line will debut in Fall 2017, but she’s put her stamp on the Spring and Summer 2017 line.
She calls the new looks “an evolution,” which, not surprisingly, is how Marchionni describes her vision for Lands’ End.
“We are building upon a great collection of timeless, classic pieces,” Tsai says. “We are adding in some finishing pieces in specific categories to complete the line, such as fashion layers and feminine blouses and skirts. We are also looking at fabrics, adding more comfort stretch, reviewing hand feel and softening silhouettes.”
In what may be a reflection of Marchionni’s desire to distinguish women from men, Tsai says the new lines will embrace “thoughtful color usage. “I believe standing for color is so important and we can do this for women in feminine, pretty ways,” she says.
Time will tell whether Marchionni’s guidance and fashion sense will be able to change the trajectory at Lands’ End. She’s nothing if not determined that her strategies are going to work.
"You never know why you fell in love. You just fell in love," Marchionni says of her passion for the United States.
“To me, there are no obstacles. There are goals and then I go round and round until I get where I want,” Marchionni declares. She says she expects the Lands’ End employees’ team-oriented mentality will be the deciding factor.
“As with any leadership change there is an adjustment process, but we are all working together in helping with the evolution of Lands’ End to unlock our full potential and become a meaningful global lifestyle brand.
“As Darwin says: ‘It’s not the most intelligent or the strongest of the species to survive, it’s the one that is the most adaptable to change.”
An evolution, indeed.
Read more about Marchionni, her CEO life and her personal dreams and visions at BRAVAmagazine. com.
RUN RUN
The quest to move women forward into policymaking, politics—and power.
BY LISA BAUER
If we did have more women at the policymaking tables, what could change?
State Rep. Lisa Subeck
“I think we would see significant changes in how we support families. We’d see changes in how we support women in the workplace. Women still make 78 cents on the dollar. There is not a lot of incentive for some men to change that. We could see changes in how we handle reproductive health care. What infuriates me is seeing men drive the discussion on reproductive health issues like birth control, mammograms and abortion. Why are men driving those decisions? When you see more women at the table, we see the discussion shift. There is nothing as sexist as a body of majority men debating women’s health issues. We would see women being valued more. It is my sincere hope that more women will get involved and run for office.”
n June 10, 1919, Wisconsin became the first state to ratify the 19th amendment, granting national suffrage to women.
Nearly 100 years later, as the nation sees its first female major party presidential nominee, Wisconsin women occupy only 23 percent of elected offices in the state, according to a 2015 report by the Wisconsin Women’s Council. Dane County has the shiniest record in the state, and women here still only hold 31 percent of elected office seats.
Wisconsin women are winning office at the same rate as men. So why aren’t more women running and serving the state at all levels? It’s a century after women got the vote, and Hillary Clinton shattered the biggest glass ceiling, but Wisconsin women are breaking through brick walls to make a difference in the state.
According to a 2016 study by UW-Extension that surveyed community leaders across 38 Wisconsin counties, only 60 percent of women said they were well-qualified to run for office versus 71 percent of men. Nearly 19 percent of women said “making decisions in public” was a barrier, while less than 5 percent of men felt this way. Twenty-four percent of women also saw running against an incumbent as a barrier compared to less than 6 percent of men.
Women also received less encouragement. Thirty-two percent of women, compared to 43 percent of men, received the suggestion to run for office. Such encouragement often more than doubled the likelihood of considering a candidacy. Nearly 31 percent of women said they had “concerns about reprisals or criticism” while less than 18 percent of men were worried about negativity.
Concerns are well-placed. “People will go after women candidates and make them sexual objects,” says Christine Lidbury, executive director of the Wisconsin Women’s Council, which studies and works to enhance the status of women, in all aspects of life in Wisconsin. According to a May 2016 story in the The Cap Times, “Handling hate: Women in politics face a remarkable amount of sexist vitriol,” Jessie Opoien reported vitriolic emails and comments on social media to women that include slurs such as “evil whore,” “ho,” “bitch” and worse. Women are told to “get in shape” or get a new hairstyle. Opoien reported, “Women going into politics know sexism is the cost, but it’s still a steep price to pay.”
State Rep. Lisa Subeck added, “Some sexism is alive and well in the statehouse, partly due to the fact that we have not achieved parity there.” To illustrate, Subeck shared a time when she was a newly elected official being introduced to a seasoned male Representative. He pointed to her male staff member and said, “Do you work for him?” And there was that time she put out a bill regarding gun safety. People who disagreed with her stance attacked her physical appearance. “That’s something so pervasive in our culture. It’s not unique to politics.”
But thank goodness women persevere. Studies show the state is a richer place when women sit at policymaking tables.
A 2007 Women’s Council report said women officials are more likely to bring citizens in to the political process, more likely to advocate for government in public view rather than behind closed doors and more responsive to disenfranchised groups. Women place higher priority and spend more time on equity issues and rights for women and children. Female legislators give high priority to policies related to education, safety such as rape shield laws,
What have been the biggest barriers as a woman of color running for public office or in an elected office?
Madison Alder Sheri Carter:
“I wouldn’t necessarily say there are barriers, but we need to start bringing in voices that are directly affected by our policies. I speak with constituents daily, and they aren’t looking at me as a woman of color but as a representative of them in our city. My district has the confidence in me to make sure their voices are heard, and valued in City Hall.”
domestic violence legislation and anti-drunk driving initiatives, as well as economic issues dealing with childcare, family leave, child support and women’s health.
“Women want to get stuff done,” Lidbury says. “They don’t always care as much about party affiliation and they’re used to reaching out to different kinds of communities, in their own communities and schools, to make things happen.” According to the report: “It was women state lawmakers who took the issue of family and medical leave and saw its passage in nearly all states (including Wisconsin) and ultimately into federal law.”
So how can we champion women to join races at all levels? Encourage them, and have their backs.
According to the UW-Extension study, the most cited reason that supervisors ran for local elected office was simply because someone asked them to run. When women receive external support from both political and nonpolitical sources, they are twice as likely to run for an elected office. “Let women know they are supported, they are qualified and that statistics tell us they have just as likely a chance to win as men do,” Lidbury says. Individual support and intensive support from groups like Emerge Wisconsin, a training ground for women who want to run for political office, make a huge difference. Lidbury adds, “It’s also important to get traditional organizations to expand the pool that they look at to recruit people to run for public office. Men could be asked by a chamber of commerce to run, and chambers are mostly men.”
Maybe most importantly, “We need to socialize girls to think that politics are more accessible to them,” Lidbury says, adding that the more women we see in office, the more will run in the future. In that regard, Lidbury says seeing women in political leadership encourages her. Mary Lazich is president of the State Senate. Rebecca Kleefisch is lieutenant governor. And five of seven justices on the Wisconsin Supreme Court are women—the largest female majority of justices on any state supreme court in the nation.
Even after her failed race for governor in 2014, Mary Burke is optimistic and encouraging civic-minded women to step up and enter a race: “Just do it. You’ll learn that you have way more potential than you thought possible.”
For more comments and insights from Subek, Young and Carter, visit BRAVAmagazine.com.
What is the future of Wisconsin women in the political sphere?
Dane County Supervisor Hayley Young, who was elected in spring 2016 at age 23, credits seeing other women serve and the importance of campaign training programs to help launch women into office: “I’m optimistic if we are willing to work for parity. But the fact that we’re having these conversations, that Dane County is seeing more women serving, that programs like Emerge [to help train women to run for office] exist, this is all very encouraging.”
Take Action:
How to Support Women Office Holders
JUST DO IT
Sen. Tammy Baldwin
Tammy Baldwin became the first woman from Wisconsin elected to U.S. Congress as a representative in 1998. Starting local on the Madison Common Council, Dane County Board of Supervisors and the state assembly, she’s served as a U.S. senator since 2012 when she became the first woman from Wisconsin to hold that office.
Visible and vocal support:
Visible and vocal support:
Attend local government meetings, speak up for your elected official to send strong positive messages.
What are your thoughts on seeing the first female major party candidate nominated for the presidency?
It was so inspiring to be a part of history being made at the Democratic National Convention this summer. The nomination of Hillary Clinton for president was a big step forward for our country. I have no doubt that this will change the way the next generation thinks about public service. It sends an important message to so many young people that they can dream big dreams, and achieve them.
Outreach and networking:
Outreach and networking:
Invite elected officials to speak to social and civic groups; use contacts to bring greater awareness and exposure to women officials.
How and why did you get started in politics? As a woman, what are the important stops on your political path that have brought you to this point?
Shortly after I graduated from Smith College in Massachusetts, I moved back home to Madison, Wisconsin. I had no job. I was in my first efficiency apartment. And I was watching the 1984 Democratic National Convention on my tiny little television set. That’s when Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro walked across that giant stage and took the podium to accept the nomination as the Democratic Nominee for Vice President. I was this young woman with my whole life ahead of me and as I watched that moment I thought to myself, ‘I can aspire to anything! I can do anything!’ For me, that was the inspiring moment to pursue public service. I went on to attend law school at the University of Wisconsin and in 1986, a seat opened up on the Madison City Council. I was encouraged to run and I did—as an out lesbian.
Communication:
Communication:
Develop ongoing relationships by communicating yearround with the women we elect—not just at election time or when there is a particularly controversial topic.
I also served on the Dane County Board of Supervisors and went on to work in the Wisconsin State Assembly. In 1998, I was the first woman from Wisconsin elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the nation’s first openly gay challenger sent to Congress. In 2012, I was Wisconsin’s first woman to serve in the U.S. Senate and the first openly gay member elected to the Senate.
Our country has made great progress since I first entered public service and was elected to local office 30 years ago. Today, we are a country where a young woman doesn’t have to close her eyes and imagine someone like herself serving in elected office, because she can open her eyes and she can see real diversity in Congress. I am honored and humbled to be a part of that progress.
Hold local governments accountable:
Hold local governments accountable:
Know what local governments in my community are doing to support diversity on elected and appointed boards; visit their websites and talk with local officials.
What unique ideas and qualities do women bring to the policymaking table? How do women operate differently than men in the political realm? How do women in elected offices benefit our state?
We are a better democracy when our legislative bodies look like America, whether it’s city council, school board or the U.S. Senate. The first time there were ever three women serving at the same time in the U.S. Senate was in 1992. Today, there are 20 of us. That is important progress but when women make up half the country, we are not there yet and we have more work to do.
My experience in the Senate working with my female colleagues tells me that they all have a very strong sense of responsibility to work together on solutions. We all spend a lot of time together and we don’t always agree. We could find a lot to argue about if we wanted to. But, at the end of the day, we don’t choose to fight with each other because we see that the responsibility of our service is to get something done. And when Washington is working, I think you will find that more often than not, it’s a woman who is providing leadership and making it work. Having 20 women in the Senate is a constant reminder of why we need more women in politics because I think we would be able to get more things done.
What have been the biggest barriers for you as a woman running for public office and while in office?
Throughout my own career, the naysayers, the cynics and the keepers of the status quo have said, ‘You shouldn’t,’ ‘You won’t,’ and ‘You can’t.’ When I ran my first campaign for state assembly in 1992, people told me I couldn’t win. In 1998, when I ran for Congress in a Democratic primary against two well-known male politicians, they said the same thing. And even when I ran for the Senate in 2012, plenty of people told me I didn’t have a chance. But I am the wrong person to tell that something can’t be done. I don’t let cynics tell me it can’t be done. I think the people of Wisconsin proved that point in 2012 and I am forever grateful for the opportunity I have to serve our state in the U.S. Senate.
What’s been encouraging and most rewarding?
Back when I was serving in the Wisconsin State Assembly, a 4th grade class was visiting the assembly chamber on a field trip. I will always remember that after our session concluded and the class of children gathered on the floor of our assembly, a young girl came up to me and she tugged on my sleeve and said, ‘Which seat is yours?’ I pointed over to the big chair and she jumped right into it, got all comfy, her feet didn’t even touch the ground, and she said, ‘I like the feel of this.’ And I knew at that moment that she could see herself there so comfortably because she had seen a face like mine.
Women continue to be underrepresented in nearly every elected office in Wisconsin. How can we encourage civic-minded women to run for office at every level and how can we support them once elected?
At EMILY’s List, they’ve found that women need to be asked to run for office seven times before they say yes. And, you know, women say no for a lot of reasons. They say no because they’ve been told no so often in their lives. They say no because they believe, correctly, that it’s going to be hard. Women never get handed opportunities in politics. Women don’t run unopposed in their first campaign and just walk into a safe seat. No one ever just assumes that a woman is going to win.
If we can do more to defeat some of the self-doubt for women, that can go a long way. Yes, it’s going to be hard but we need to tell women, ‘Yes, you can do this and our public policy debate needs your voice.’
I want to encourage young women to think about how they want to give back to our community, whether through public office or another way. There are so many ways to get involved. Our democracy is stronger when women are engaged, so it’s important that they take the initiative to make a difference. Every time a woman runs for office and wins, it gets a little easier for everyone who comes after.
I believe that when you are not in the room, the conversation is about you. But when you are in the room, the conversation is with you. That changes everything. That is why we need more women at the table.
While the ‘firsts’ we celebrate represent history, it’s the ‘nexts’ that will represent real progress. Progress isn’t just when the first openly lesbian American is elected to the Senate or the first women is elected President of the United States. It’s when the ‘nexts’ become a reality. The path of progress is long and the goal is to always be working toward breaking down barriers.
What’s your advice for women considering a run?
When we participate in public life, we can effect change well beyond winning an election or passing a law. So if someone asks you to step up and participate, do it. And if nobody asks you, definitely do it. support:
Financial support:
Step up to support women by giving to campaigns, hosting fundraising parties and volunteering time.
share expertise:
Share expertise:
Let elected officials know about areas of expertise and interest so they are prepared when asked to nominate people to serve on boards and commissions or when seeking expertise on issues.
Build the pipeline:
build the pipeline:
Identify women leaders in the community; encourage and support women that express interest in running for office; identify leaders among current elected officials and encourage them to run for state and national offices.
–Abridged list from the Wisconsin Women’s Council
REFLECTIONS ON RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR
by mary burke
After losing the gubernatorial race against Scott Walker in 2014, Mary Burke nursed her wounds but quickly recovered and committed to continue to dare greatly.
A longtime business leader and former executive at her family’s business, Trek Bicycle Corp., Burke served as the Wisconsin Secretary of Commerce from January 2005 to November 2007. Burke’s been highly involved in her local community. In 2012, she was elected to the Madison school board where she continues to serve.
Burke’s thinking big and sharing the lessons she’s learned as a leader for her next nonprofit venture called Building Brave, which will be an online platform and mobile app to build a community of women around the globe who will expand their comfort zones to become strong leaders. Like a fitness tracker, the app will give women daily goals and feedback. Building Brave officially launches in May 2017.
hat was I thinking?
That’s what ran through my mind as I walked toward the cameras and reporters in Cathedral Square in Milwaukee Oct. 8, 2013, one day after I announced my campaign for Governor of Wisconsin. What had I gotten myself into? After four months of research, conversations and deep thinking, I pulled the trigger. I had a successful business career and was a community leader, but none of that prepared me for being a candidate in a big-time political race.
It was as far out of my comfort zone as I had ever ventured. Twenty-four hours a day, I was doing things that were not only uncomfortable, but sometimes scary: Tooting my own horn, endless cold calling strangers for money, staying immune to the daily nastiness, opening up my life to endless scrutiny and having everything I said judged and dissected. On top of all that, I knew the odds were stacked heavily against me. Incumbent governors win re-election 80 percent of the time.
So why did i do it? First and foremost, I would love to be Governor of Wisconsin. Six generations of my family have lived here. I am one very proud Cheesehead. I love the people of this state and know we have incredible potential. I felt I had what it took to be a great leader for the people. Second, no one else was stepping up who could mount a competitive campaign. If I were the best person to take on this challenge, I would be honored. Voters deserve choices— that’s democracy.
It was not an easy decision. Stepping out of our comfort zones never is. And yet, it was the best decision I have ever made in my life. People are astounded when I say that. They are thinking: How can that be? You lost, and in the process you got dragged through the mud for 13 months. Millions of dollars of ads told the entire state you were incompetent, untrustworthy and pretty much just a bad person.
Gratitude, humility and confidence. That’s why it was the best decision. And that’s why my life has only gotten better. Gratitude, for the hundreds of thousands of people who believed in me; who voted, volunteered and contributed to my campaign; who saw a governor in me before I saw it in myself; who let me know how much they appreciate me, even after I lost. Humility, because I realized I am nothing without the support from others. I connected with people more than I ever had because I needed them so badly. Confidence: I had underestimated myself my entire life. Even though I lost the election, I outperformed most expectations.
When I started the campaign, I was way out of my comfort zone. By the end, I was in my zone. Things that were scary became easy and fun. As a society, we put way too much meaning into failure and by doing that, we hold people back. I am no longer afraid to fail, and that has opened up a whole new world of opportunities.
break artificial barriers
Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch
Elected on a ticket with Scott Walker in 2010, Kleefisch is Wisconsin’s 44th lieutenant governor and only the third woman to hold that spot. She’s a former news reporter and small-business owner, and a cancer survivor.
Whatuniqueideasand qualitiesdowomenbringto thepolicymakingtable?
Whatuniqueideasand qualitiesdowomenbringto thepolicymakingtable?
I think they come in slightly more open-minded to other folks’ opinions and worldviews. Women are decent listeners, and they ask good questions. If you are unwilling to ask probing questions, you’re missing the opportunity to properly serve and execute on behalf of your constituents. Women are also the sole or primary provider in 4 of 10 households. We are family CEOs.
Whataresomeofthe biggestbarrierstowomen runningforanelected officeorinoffice?
Whataresomeofthe biggestbarrierstowomen runningforanelected officeorinoffice?
I think most of the barriers we see are actually artificial. These are glass ceilings, not concrete, we can see through them. I grew up believing that women could hold any political office or be in any corporate suite. I was taught women were equal. My daughters are being raised the same way, encouraged to shatter glass ceilings. One day there will be a whole bunch of glass on the floor.
ELECTING MORE WOMEN OF COLOR
TO OFFICE
Howcanweencourage morecivic-mindedwomen torunforofficein Wisconsin?
Howcanweencourage morecivic-mindedwomen torunforofficein Wisconsin?
Women don’t wake up and look in the mirror and see a politician staring back at them. We need to help women see that they are already leaders. They are leading families and communities and businesses. And women are spinning a lot of plates so we need to support them in taking that next step to run for office. I’m very lucky to have a full partner and parent in my husband. I couldn’t do the work I do without the support of my family.
“I’m so honored to represent my constituents,” says Shelia Stubbs, Dane County Supervisor. Having served since 2006, Stubbs is the only African-American on the board, and that can get lonely. “Many times you walk in the room and no one looks like you. There’s a gender issue, then there’s the person of color issue. It’s often difficult for people to understand my viewpoint. Sometimes you feel like you’re educating the room one by one.”
Madison Alder Shiva Bidar-Sielaff understands the intersection of gender and race. “Because of my accent, some people were saying, ‘You’re a woman and you sound like you’re not from here, what qualifies you to run for office?’”
While women of color comprise more than 35 percent of the U.S. population, they constitute only 6.2 percent of the U.S. Congress. The numbers are similar in Wisconsin, but a small, powerful group of women of color here is breaking barriers.
Vel Phillips, for example, was the first African-American woman to serve as a state judge in 1971 and statewide office in 1979; Marcia Coggs was the first African-American woman elected to the State Assembly in 1977; Gwen Moore was the first African-American woman to be elected to the U.S. House in 2004; JoCasta Zamarripa was the first Latina elected to the State Legislature in 2011. It took 159 years after Madison incorporated in 1856 until the first African-American women—Barbara McKinney and Sheri Carter—made history in 2015 by winning election to Madison’s Common Council.
Whatadvicedoyouhave forawomanwhowantsto runforanelectedoffice?
Whatadvicedoyouhave forawomanwhowantsto runforanelectedoffice?
I was given a piece of advice when trying to make the decision whether to stay at a job and take a sizable raise or quit and be at home with my daughter. A friend of mind told me, ‘you can have it all, you just can’t have it all at once.’ That was one of the most empowering things I was told in that moment. I was free to choose. Go make your choice and feel empowered to do so. You can absolutely make a choice to both serve your family and your Wisconsin family. If I can do it with cancer and chemo and the recall and raising two little girls, anyone can do it.
Boundless opportunities for constituents spring from diversifying policy-making tables. “There is an array of voices in the African-American community. We try to do a better job of listening,” Stubbs says, adding that she’s constantly aware of being a voice for the voiceless.
Bidar-Sielaff and Stubbs both spend time supporting and encouraging other women candidates. Serving on the Common Council since 2008, Bidar-Sielaff has been on Emerge Wisconsin panels and is active with the Latino Professionals Association, having led a forum on civic service for the group in June. “I tell women, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for advice from women in office,” Emerge alum Stubbs says, adding that she makes it a point to try to recruit more AfricanAmerican women, such as Sheri Carter in 2015.
Bidar-Sielaff implores voters to not only voice support for women candidates but also contribute money to their campaigns. “Men have that same privilege when running for office as they do in the rest of life. It can be easier for them to get endorsements and money. Women of color especially don’t have that,” she says, adding that reaching outside of traditional avenues and creating her own circle of support was crucial in her success. “Culturally, for me, it was very difficult to talk about myself. I was raised to be humble. We as woman have to be more comfortable with ‘the ask.’”
Stubbs echoes the need for support systems, adding, “Shiva and I cried together over Tony Robinson. At that time, there were no other women of color serving in the county. Kathleen Falk put me under her wing. Tammy Baldwin is a personal friend that gave me leverage. Mark Pocan knocked on doors and endorsed me.”
Bidar-Sielaff says we’d see a sea change in the community with more women and particularly women of color making policies. “It would mean that our leadership represents our population. So often we’re sitting at the table talking about equity on an intellectual level, but if we are truly going to make the change that we are all hoping to see, we have to have more women of color in office.”
Stubbs adds, “You can’t tell me what it’s like to be black. I know the struggles and injustices. When we have women of color in the room, we can talk about that first-hand. Then we can go out and get things done.”
Your Vote, Your Voice
BY EMMA WHITFORD
Wherever you may fall on the political spectrum, here are a number of Wisconsin organizations to help you take the next step in your political involvement, whether it’s just becoming more informed or becoming more politically active.
GET INFORMED
Wisconsin Eye
Wisconsin Eye is a Wisconsin media organization that live streams candidate interviews and council and committee meetings. Think of it as Wisconsin’s CSPAN. wiseye.org.
Wisconsin Vote, supported by Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television, offers accessible information about candidates in local and state elections as well as news pieces. wisconsinvote.org.
ASK. LEARN. VOTE.
Ask. Learn. Vote. This initiative links to candidate and voting information. It also provides information from the National Conference of State Legislatures on women’s health policy so you can brush up on your issues before picking a candidate. asklearnvote.org.
1MyVote
1MyVote is a brand-new app, created by Madison resident and Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s Women Caucus Emily Kuhn as a voter information resource before election day—or from within the polling booth. It’s free, nonpartisan and provides candidate info on races for president, senator and governor. 1myvote.com
DO YOUR CIVIC DUTY
MyVote Wisconsin has everything you need to know to successfully cast your ballot on election day. Start by registering—the organization’s website allows you to check your registry and helps you register if you’re not already on the list. It also posts information about polling locations and the candidates who will appear on your specific ballot. MyVote can help you vote absentee. myvote.wi.gov.
The Wisconsin Elections and Ethics Commission Voter Information Center prompts you to choose “who you are or what you want to do” and each scenario will lead you to the information you need to cast your ballot. The organization provides voting history, registration information and assistance with absentee voting. If you’re living overseas, recently changed your name or need assistance at the polls, the Voter Information Center will help you through those issues as well. gab.wi.gov/voters.
RUN
Vote. Run. Lead. This initiative encouraging women to run for public office offers public training events and workshops that give women the proper tools to run for leadership positions, and its webpage offers tips and tricks for campaigning. A free membership provides access to weekly web clinics, members-only workshops, an online resources collection, plus a network of women leaders. voterunlead.org
Wisconsin Women in Government is a bipartisan group that supports women who choose to run for office. It offers scholarships, mentorships and networking opportunities to women who hope to pursue a career in government. It also provides scholarships for high school girls to attend Badger Girls State, an annual conference that trains future stateswomen on the ins and outs of government, as well as undergraduate scholarships and internship opportunities. wiwomensnetwork.org
Emerge Wisconsin is a Democratic organization that encourages women to run for office. Its intensive six-month training program gives women the skills necessary to get elected as Democrats. Apply if you think running for office might be the next step for you. emergewi.org.
WE’VE COME A LONG WAY THE MANY ADVANCES IN MODERN SENIOR LIVING
BY JEN BRADLEY
Senior living isn’t what it used to be. As a new generation of caregivers helps find the perfect place for their aging loved ones, they’re uncovering many more options than their parents did years ago.
In addition to changes making senior living more comfortable, there are also advances in how staff approach new residents’ transitions from home, social needs, activities and support from family and caregivers.
“We aren’t what people remember from old institutions,” says Jennylynde Packham, resident services director at Coventry Village. “In particular, they’re thinking of nursing homes 20 years ago when it was very regimented. That isn’t the world of senior living anymore. We’ve really had an awakening in the industry
and an understanding that people are going to want to continue to make as many choices in their life as long as they can.”
Let’s look at what Madison-area senior homes have to offer our aging parents.
KICKING MYTHS TO THE CURB
Care facility directors say that the first step in any senior living transition is honest talk with our aging loved ones— taking a proactive approach. “Nobody wants to think about aging and needing more help,” says Packham. “I think that’s a really tough place to be, for families and residents themselves. We always have hope that we’re invincible, right?”
Growing old may be something people worry about in terms of health, but it can be equally worrisome when they consider leaving their longtime home. One option that may keep aging parents at home is hospice care.
“I know many people want to stay home and independent for as long as possible,’ says Elizabeth Kopling, marketing and communications director at Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care. “They don’t want to leave the place they’ve raised their family or celebrated holidays. It’s important to know that with the support of hospice care, many people are able to retain that independence and stay home, even through stages of serious illness.”
Kopling corrects some misconceptions that hospice care is unaffordable or only for the final days of life. “Does it mean giving up?” asks Kopling. “We say absolutely not. We provide a circle of care around the patient and their loved ones, and the longer we have to provide that support, the better.” Hospice, she says, is really about helping patients achieve their goals in the time they have left, and is usually covered by Medicare/Medicaid. Hospice care is something available to anyone with a life expectancy of six months or less.
Josh Knops, physical therapy/rehabilitation director at Oak Park Place, says there also are several options regarding the length of a stay, such as a rehab patient realizing that he really should move to an assisted living accommodation. “We had one resident who was coming in for daily rehab, but lived in a house with her husband,” Knops recalls. “They eventually took a tour of the place and realized this may be a better option for them.”
A cozy place to call home
SSM Health St. Mary’s Care Center has always been known for its person-centered care, with private rooms arranged in neighborhoods for a true sense of community. And now, the entire facility is being renovated,including upgraded “neighborhood” kitchens and homey living rooms complete with fireplaces.
The level of care is also improving, with a new state-ofthe-art therapy gym and the addition of outpatient services.
Whether you or someone you love plans on calling SSM Health St. Mary’s Care Center home, rest assured you’ll be part of a community of caring, compassion and comfort.
Call us today for a tour.
3401 Maple Grove Dr. | Madison, WI 53719 608.845.1000 | stmaryscarecenter.net
Sometimes, he says, an aging parent decides to move; in other cases their family members make the decision based on safety risks at the aging parent’s home. That’s when thinking ahead makes all the difference. “I remember growing up going to see my grandmother after my grandfather passed away,” Knops says. “She didn’t have a lot of options and I can remember it wasn’t a place I wanted to go and see her. Things have changed so much just in my lifetime.”
HAVE THE TALK EARLY ON
“Start by asking the good questions,” recommends Betty Fischer, sales manager at Heritage Senior Living. “There are wants and needs. What do you really want, but what are your needs? Focus on what those are.”
Fischer explains that if a loved one feels they won’t benefit from an assisted living residence, a family member might encourage them to visit for a short respite stay. “Meet in the middle, then during that stay, talk about options for the future,” she adds.
Many staff members can relate to a loved one’s resistance to moving. “My father is 91 and he hasn’t opened his mind that leaving his home is a possibility” because he’s from an era when facilities for the aging were not as high quality as they are today, says Carmela Mulroe, director of activities and volunteers at St. Mary’s Care Center. “There’s also so much loss as we age.”
Mulroe says that waiting to make a move until the situation is desperate is not ideal. She recommends people make this discussion a part of their retirement planning and other aging services experts agree.
All Saints Neighborhood’s Campus Administrator Mary Beth Graves, RN, encourages families to start discussing the next phase of life with their loved one far in advance—way before it’s needed. “The discussion isn’t so emotionally charged then,” Graves says. “Find out where they’d like to see themselves in five years, 10 years. Where would they want to live if they can’t live at home anymore? Sharing their opinions early can be a real gift to the family.”
“Unfortunately, so many people end up having to make these decisions in a crisis,” Fischer, of Heritage, says. “They’re in the hospital and they can’t stay there, so need to go somewhere fast.”
Oak Park’s Knops says it’s also important to involve a loved one as much as possible in the decision-making process. With many types of facilities to choose from, it’s likely that an aging parent’s move could take place right away, Knops says.
MAKING THE TRANSITION EASIER
Mulroe adds that making a move in crisis mode adds to the emotional toll of the transition. Coventry Village’s Packham says sometimes family members are afraid to tell a loved one that they need help, even though the aging parent is aware of it themselves but afraid to take the next step.
Senior living homes offer a number of programs to help ease the fear factor. Mulroe says St. Mary’s TRIBE—True Relationships Build Engagement—program has created a group of six or seven residents who meet weekly to foster relationships. The program was supposed to be a 12-week trial, but it’s so popular it was extended. Another two groups will soon be created and are assisted by volunteers from the UW School of Nursing. “It really makes a difference in their acclimation to being here when they develop stronger relationships” Mulroe says. “They just might need some help to find that connection.”
At Heritage, Fischer says, its Best Friends program invites caregivers to befriend
TODAY’S SENIOR RESIDENCES OFFER TRANSITION GROUPS, DREAM-FULFILLMENT PROGRAMS AND OTHER CREATIVE ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
assigned residents and give them a little extra TLC while they are working, by sitting and holding their hand and talking to them, among other things. “There are a lot of friendships that are developed here and we really want to nurture those, find out what residents want to do,” she says. “They have a voice and we love to hear it.”
Packham notes that each person’s transition needs to be addressed on a caseby-case basis. Such out-of-date advice as not visiting a new resident for the first week she lives there does not apply to everyone. If a resident is used to seeing a family member every day, then continuing that contact at their new home will help the transition. But, if someone has a memory impairment, early visits could be detrimental and cause anxiety, especially as they start to learn their new surroundings.
Graves agrees, and reminds families to be in close communication with staff members and nurses, especially in the first few months. “Check in with them often to find out how your loved one is adjusting. Ask if your visits are helping ease the transition to their new home or making it harder.”
Packham also says it’s important to recognize that a number of emotions may come into play, including grief, sadness and loss, and those feelings shouldn’t be pushed away. “I don’t think we have to be afraid of feelings,” Packham says. “We need to recognize this change will cause us to feel things and that’s okay. Who am I to judge when someone comes in and they’re sad, angry or frustrated? They are just coping with the change and I’m here to support that.”
MAKING A HOME AWAY FROM HOME
To help new residents settle in, facility directors encourage them to bring personal items, as much as their specific apartment or room will accommodate. “This is their home,” Fischer says. “We encourage them to bring favorite pieces of furniture, hang up pictures, and make it theirs.”
Graves notes that “oftentimes they’re selling a home filled with memories and parting with precious belongings. Whatever families and staff can do to lessen this sense of loss and create a familiar environment can help.”
Mulroe says it’s also nice if residents invite spouses and family members to activities at their new home. “They’re suffering too,” she says of family members. “They have a lot of loss and are going to through a lot and need TLC as well.”
In hospice, this approach is essential to quality care, says Kopling. “I think of how complex even something as simple as a pill bottle can be, the directions and terminology,” she explains. “Then there’s so much anxiety that comes along with the crisis when a loved one is in pain. We really work on every single level to try and educate patients and loved ones on what to expect and how to handle each situation as it comes.” She says that for many people a good death is being surrounded by your loved ones, have end of life goals met and being in a comfortable setting they have had control in establishing.
Mulroe invites everyone to be okay with “life happening” but encourages them to continue following their dreams even though a change is necessary. In 2011, St. Mary’s began a dream program and has helped residents fulfill lifelong dreams such as sailing or ballroom dancing. “We don’t want this to be an end place, where people just wait. We want to make sure this is their home and the door opens both ways.”
“Senior living campuses can be pretty amazing places nowadays,” says Graves. “Assisted living is not the end of the road. In fact, if done correctly, it can be a new lease on life for both a caregiver and their loved one.”
Warmth
With
Health
Lifestyle360
Dining & Nutrition
FALL’S BOUNTY
Bursting with color and flavor, The Green Owl’s Groundnut Stew is a hearty dish filled with warm sweet potatoes, cabbage and cilantro plucked fresh from the autumn harvest. Find the recipe for this dish, plus other seasonally satisfying eats and drinks online at BRAVAmagazine.com.
MOBILE HOT SPOTS SAMPLING MADISON’S STREET EATS
BY CANDICE WAGENER
IN OUR FOODIE CITY, Madison’s food cart scene reflects our growing diversity, with over 50 unique offerings parked around town. Here are just a few standouts.
Celebrating a year in business, Joshua Barraza and Matthew Danky are the fabulous force behind El Grito Taqueria Determined to expose Madison to real street food and authentic Mexican cuisine, they serve up deliciously elegant tacos all over town. Go for the veg-centric roasted sweet potato taco with an ancho chile orange glaze, crema drizzle and cilantro sprinkles, or make it omnivore, filled with braised skirt steak, peppery Serrano, creamy tomatillo avocado salsa and crunchy radish matchsticks. “A taco is anything you want it to be,” says Barranza. Veering in another creative direction is So Pak “Rocky” Ho, proprietor of Soho , an Asian-American fusion restaurant in Fitchburg with a weekday mobile spinoff on the Capitol Square. Drawing from his Hong Kong roots, Ho’s rice dishes are authentic. But his dumplings, based on the “awesome” dumplings his mom and grandma made for him as a child, incorporate Midwestern influences: They’re stuffed with mac ’n’ cheese and simmered in garlic.
Deep family ties also resonate with Ribmasters —a food cart and catering service dishing up barbecue from owners Atonye and Rache Marsh at local events and festivals around Dane County. Rib or turkey tips smoked to perfection fall off the bone alongside grilled corn on the cob and Mama Earlie’s baked beans, Atonye’s mom’s recipe with ground beef, onions and green peppers mixed in.
But these good eats don’t come easy. Rache starts smoking meat at 4 a.m. and Atonye puts in 50 hours a week on top of a nursing job at St. Mary’s. We’re all happier—and sated—for the effort.
Visit each cart’s Facebook page for more details on daily locations and menus.
MOUNT HOREB’S MAIN STREET WHERE TO SHOP • WHERE TO STOP
Wisco Throwback
BY RACHEL WERNER, ILLUSTRATIONS BY WHITNEY
Creative Corner
Tea Haven
Step back in time at Rust & Lace, a kitsch antique furnishings and vintage accessories den, which also moonlights as a repurpose shop. Facebook or (608) 574-4117.
Craft your own home décor over muffins and mimosas with your best gal pals at DIY signage studio Board and Brush—wood, sandpaper and power tools provided. boardandbrush.com.
Edible Roots
Nibble lefse, sticky buns and hash brown turnovers at Schubert’s, a delish diner plus bakery plus malt shop, and a popular Main Street fixture for more than a century. schubertsrestaurant.com.
Peruse a collection of over 100 loose-leaf teas from around the globe—or the eclectic collection of board games for guests in the cozy, single-room teahouse Telsaan. telsaan.com.
Tipsy Stroll
Kick off a proper pub crawl with local brews and a 1½-pound Bavarian-style pretzel just off the main drag at The Grumpy Troll. thegrumpytroll.com.
The Best D#*n Chocolate Factory
Willy Wonka’s got nothing on artisan chocolate house Sjölinds, which began as a café in downtown Mount Horeb a decade ago and has blossomed into a chocolate factory. On the outskirts of town, this spinoff of the original storefront also operates as a coffee bar, serves breakfast and lunch—and even has a drive-thru. Order decadent truffles, milk chocolate bars and cocoa nibs without leaving the car—every modern woman’s dream. sjolinds.com.
SALGADO
Autumn Getaway
Enjoy fresh regional cuisine in our lakeside restaurants, play golf on nearby courses, indulge in soothing treatments at Aspira Spa, take a culinary course at our cooking school, or just enjoy the beauty of autumn at Your place on the lake TM
The Autumn Getaway includes a one night stay and a $20 dining credit. From $179 per night, plus tax.
Available October 1–November 30, 2015; based on availability.
For reservations, call 855.990.0028.
Elkhart Lake, WI • osthoff.com
OCTOBER
PERFORMING ARTS
4-9 | times vary RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S “CINDERELLA”
Be transported back to childhood as you rediscover this hilarious and romantic musical for anyone who has ever had a dream— or a really great pair of shoes. Overture Center, Madison. overturecenter.org.
7 | 7:30 p.m.
MARACA AND HIS LATIN JAZZ ALL STARS
Born in Havana to a family of musicians, Orlando “Maraca” Valle has expanded his Afro-Cuban roots to encompass a wide array of Latin jazz. Overture Center’s Capitol Theater, Madison. overturecenter.org.
14-15 | times vary “BLACK/WHITE”
A program of contrasts: soft curves and angular shapes, classical music and hiphop, avant-garde choreography and neoclassical ballet. Bartell Theatre, Madison. madisonballet.org.
21-23 | times vary BEETHOVEN’S “PASTORALE”
Madison Symphony Orchestra opens the concert with the stormy “In the South,” and will close with Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 6.” Overture Center, Madison. overturecenter.org.
28 | 8 p.m.
AN EVENING WITH TONY BENNETT
Discovered by Bob Hope in 1949 and world-famous by the 1950s, the famous crooner sold more than 10 million records in the past 10 years. Overture Center for the Performing Arts, Madison. overturecenter.org.
28-30 | times vary “MARY’S WEDDING”
Mary and Charlie have a love that, if not quite perfect, rings true from its very beginning, in this exquisitely personal examination of love and the cost of war. Touchstone Theatre, Spring Green. americanplayers.org.
ENTERTAINMENT
Through Oct. 28 | 6:30 p.m.
GLEAM: ART IN A NEW LIGHT
Meander through a whimsical nighttime landscape created by local artists and light designers, all while enjoying the fragrant environment of Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison. olbrich.org.
7 | 5 p.m.
GALLERY NIGHT
Experience Madison’s vibrant arts community with a night of exhibitions, opening receptions, special events and refreshments at venues throughout the city. Locations vary, Madison. mmoca.org.
7 | 5 p.m.
LATINO ART FAIR
Celebrate the richness of Latino culture at the fourth annual Latino Art Fair, which this year will feature the work of 25 talented local artists. Browse and buy unique pottery, paintings, jewelry, photographs, wood carvings, blown glass, textiles, carved fruit and more! Overture Center, Madison. overturecenter.org.
8 | 10 a.m.
FARLEY CENTER FALL CELEBRATION
Take part in the process of making apple cider from start to finish: Pick, wash, slice and press apples in the 100-year-old cider press. Farley Center for Peace, Justice & Sustainability, Madison. farleycenter.org.
FAMILY
10 | 7 p.m.
LEARN TO STARGAZE
Learn the ins-and-outs of the night sky with a guided lesson in astronomy, perfect for all ages and knowledge levels. John Wall Family Pavilion in Tenney Park, Madison. cityofmadison.com/calendar.
7-23 | times vary
“THE AMERICAN GIRLS REVUE”
Join Felicity, Josefina, Kirsten, Addy, Samantha, Kit and Molly in seven heartwarming stories and songs about friendship and courage. Overture Center’s Playhouse, Madison. overturecenter.org.
20-23 | times vary
WISCONSIN SCIENCE FESTIVAL
Butterfly Gala
JOIN US FOR THE Agrace Butterfly Gala
November 5 at THE EDGEWATER
Gourmet dining
One-of-a-kind auction Items
Unique raffle prizes from William Thomas Jewelers
New CHRYSALIS after party with music by the Hanson Family Jazz Band
RSVP Today: AGRACE.ORG/GALA or (608) 327-7239 $175 per person
All proceeds benefit patients & families served by
Celebrate the magic of science at the sixth annual statewide festival, with local Madison events including flight simulation demonstrations, underwater robot workshops and Wisconsin-specific geology tours. Locations vary, Madison. wisconsinsciencefest.org.
22 | 9:30 a.m. FALL FAMILY FUN
Celebrate autumn with seasonal activities, including leaf rubbings, making prairie seed balls and learning about how animals migrate and prepare for winter. DreamBank, Madison. dreamfearlessly. com/dreambank/events/.
26 | 3 p.m. FAMILY HALOWEEN
Join the citywide Halloween extravaganza with fun for families and kids 12 and under. Local businesses will provide games, hayrides, spooky story readings, craft projects and haunted forests. State Street & Capitol Square, Madison. visitdowntownmadison.com/events/.
30 | 9:30 a.m.
HALLOWEEN AT THE ZOO
Break in your costume and get a head start on your trick-or-treating at the Henry Vilas Zoo. Walk exhibit to exhibit instead of door-to-door, and be sure to stop by the activity tent for some extra fun. Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison. vilaszoo.org
SAVOR
6 | times vary DINE OUT FOR DAIS
Take advantage of the diverse cuisine Madison has to offer while also providing support and awareness for domestic abuse survivors and Domestic Abuse Intervention Services. Locations vary, Dane County. abuseintervention.org/dine-out/.
15 | 6 p.m. FARM TO TABLE DINNER
Wine and dine in elegance at the Campo di Bella winery as they celebrate the Italian porcini mushroom with a three-course seasonal meal. Campo di Bella, Mount Horeb. campodibella.org.
21 | 6:30 p.m.
CASA NOBLE SINGLE BARREL RELEASE DINNER
Be the first to taste from a carefully selected barrel of reposado, brought straight from the Casa Noble tequila distillery in Jalisco, Mexico. El Dorado Grill, Madison. eldoradogrillmadison.com.
JAUNT
1-9 | times vary SIXTH ANNUAL FERMENTATION FEST
Join the farmers and communities of Sauk County for one—or many—of 44 fermentation-focused classes, watch a pasture performance or wander through the many temporary art installations. Locations throughout Sauk County. fermentationfest.com.
2 | 2 p.m.
CULTURAL LANDSCAPE FARM DINNER
Enjoy a farm-fresh autumn dining experience surrounded by the cultural landscape of Taliesin. Taliesin Preservation, Spring Green. taliesinpreservation.org.
9 | 10 a.m.
SWISS HISTORICAL VILLAGE HARVEST FEST
Dive for a day into 19 th century Swiss life with old-time craft demos, sausage making, Swiss-inspired foods and more. Swiss Historical Village, New Glarus. swisstown.com.
9 | 1 p.m.
LADIES TEA
Enjoy a decadent afternoon of tea and treats with demos of proper tea etiquette, live music and a chance to wear your best Downton Abbey-inspired attire. Creekside Place, Evansville. facebook.com/EvansvilleWI150
THRIVE
2 | 10:30 a.m.
NAMI WALKS DANE COUNTY
Join the National Alliance for Mental Illness 5K walk for a day of lighthearted fun and awareness raising to support individuals affected by mental illness. Olin Park, Madison. namiwalks.org.
3 | 8 a.m.
WISCONSIN WOMEN’S HEALTH FOUNDATION’S 10TH ANNUAL DIALOGUE
Discover possible answers to the question: “Why can’t stressed moms relax?” A panel will discuss toxic stress, perinatal depression, finding balance through stress reduction and how this can affect entire families. The Edgewater, Madison wwhf.org.
5 | 11:30 a.m.
WOMEN INSPIRING CHANGE EVENT
Celebrate the strength of those affected by arthritis, and help lead the fight for continued support, advocacy and awareness. Madison Concourse Hotel & Governor’s Club, Madison arthum.ejoinme.org.
8 | 4:30 p.m.
PIPERS IN THE PRAIRIE FUNDRAISING GALA
Enjoy a spectacular night of Celtic musical performances, decadent hors d’oeurves, seasonally inspired crafts and a silent auction. Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Madison aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org.
13 | 4:30 p.m. LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK
Participate in an inspirational evening of celebration and support for individuals with Leukemia and Lymphoma. All funds raised will go towards research and assistance for blood cancer patients and their families. Warner Park, Madison. lighthenight.org/wi.
13 | 6:15 p.m.
DREAM BIG: LIVE IN ABUNDANCE, CHANGE THE WORLD WITH DANA ZURBUCHEN
Leadership coach Dana Zurbuchen discusses the power of shifting your perspective from competition to co-creation in order to increase life’s opportunities. Learn to better understand your unique gifts and the knowledge of how living in abundance can change your world. DreamBank, Madison. dreamfearlessly.com/dreambank/events/.
20-23 | times vary WISCONSIN BOOK FESTIVAL
Indulge in a bookworm’s heaven with events like Wisconsin’s largest used book sale, author readings, presentations and more. Locations vary, Downtown Madison. wisconsinbookfestival.org.
23 | 10:30 a.m. RUN FOR LITERACY
Participate in the 25 th annual run to help end the cycle of illiteracy. Enjoy lakeshore views while taking part in the 5K Run, 5K Walk, 10K Run or 1 Mile Kids Run. State Street , Downtown Madison. litnetwork.org.
26 | 5:30 p.m.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION EVENT: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SUPPORT A SURVIVOR?
Join a community-wide discussion on domestic abuse and how to support its survivors. Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, Madison. abuseintervention.org.
27 | 6:15 p.m.
DREAM BIG: LEARNING TO LOVE YOURSELF QUIRKS AND ALL WITH KIMBERLY ZAHASKY
Join Kimberly Zahasky, a registered nurse and co-owner of Blue River Chiropractic, and discover how to look within to find, accept and value who you really are. DreamBank, Madison. dreamfearlessly.com/dreambank/events/.
FOR PEACE, JUSTICE AND SUSTAINABILITY
THE FARLEY CENTER’S WORK IS A LEGACY
BY AMY CARLSON NBC 15 NEWS ANCHOR
“WHENEVER I HAVE A GROUP OF KIDS OUT, I WANT THEM TO HAVE FUN. I WANT THEM TO PRODUCE AND I WANT TO PROVIDE THEM WITH ALL KINDS OF EXPERIENCES.”
–FARLEY CENTER DIRECTOR SHEDD FARLEY
ON A 43-ACRE SWATH
of wooded and farm land outside of Verona sits the active legacy of two physicians and their family who dedicated their lives to furthering the work of peace, justice and environmental social action.
The Farley Center for Peace, Justice and Sustainability, once the personal home of doctors Linda and Gene Farley, has been a gathering place for groups promoting that type of work since shortly after Linda Farley died in 2009, when the home was donated as the center’s headquarters.
The sign on the center’s front door still reads “Intentionally Welcoming,” just as the Farleys would want their namesake to be. The two spent their lives as social activists, and often practiced family medicine in places other doctors avoided, such as the Navajo Reservation, rural areas and inner cities. Gene started the first Family Medicine practice at the University of Rochester in New York. It was a holistic approach—tying relationships to health. They raised four sons and fostered another in the Quaker tradition.
Today the center continues a wide variety of programs, including educating beginning farmers who don’t have the resources to purchase their own land. Twelve farmers from seven countries grow crops at the Farley Center. They contribute to the equipment maintenance and their produce is sold through CSAs,
OCTOBER NONPROFIT EVENTS
1-24 | Times vary RAINBOW PROJECT TOY DRIVE
Help Steinhafels restock kids’ play things at The Rainbow Project, a nonprofit counseling clinic for children and families in crisis. Steinhafels is among the companies helping the nonprofit get a remodeling makeover through Design for a Difference, Madison. You can help by donating a new or gently used toy, board game or child’s costume for the center’s refurbished playroom. Drop items at any of Steinhafels three Madison stores.
22 | 11 a.m.
LINKS COMMUNITY RECOGNITION AND SCHOLARSHIP JAZZ BRUNCH
Join one of the oldest predominately African-American nonprofits in honoring five individuals and a corporation that are making a difference in our community. Enjoy music and brunch while raising scholarship money for local students. Madison Crowne Plaza , Madison madisonlinksinc.org.
farmers’ markets and to local restaurants. A portion of the produce also is donated to Badger Prairie Food Pantry and apples were donated to one Madison elementary school to celebrate the first day of school.
The center also operates the Grow Academy for youth in the correctional system to learn agriculturally oriented skills that will help them reintegrate in their communities.
The Farleys’ son Shedd, who directs the center today, has a background in teaching and passionately shares his love of the land. Whether hosting a picnic for children of incarcerated parents or teaching Grow Academy students how to build wooden benches, his enthusiasm is contagious. “Whenever I have a group of kids out, I want them to have fun. I want them to produce and I want to provide them with all kinds of experiences,” he says. All programs are funded by selling space in the center’s Natural Path Sanctuary, a burial ground allowing “green” burials. After Linda Farley passed away, her family wanted her to have a totally green burial on their land. It was such a rewarding experience that they decided to share the land with others who desired the same opportunity. Friends and family are invited to walk the wooded paths and enjoy the peace, tranquility and beauty of the nature preserve. For more information, visit farleycenter.org.
25 | 5 p.m.
IMAGINE MADISON FUNDRAISING EVENT
Celebrate the incredible contributions of Madison-area women with a day of networking, fabulous dining and programming that highlights these truly inspirational champions. Monona Terrace, Madison. madisoncommunityfoundation.org.
BRAVA NIGHT OUT: HOPE FOR HOSPICE
AUG.25 | WINDOW DESIGN CENTER
Nearly 100 attendees raised $2,000 via a silent auction and raffle for the Monroe Clinic Hospice at Window Design Center’s BRAVA Night Out. Guests enjoyed drinks and appetizers while listening to captivating talks from local female leaders Roxie Hentz, Susan Nanning-Sorenson, and Laura L. Kiessling.
WONDERBALL
SEPT. 9 | MADISON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Over 250 people enjoyed the Madison Children’s Museum’s annual Wonderball gala. The event’s “Speakeasy on the Square” theme was a huge hit with visitors, who reveled in live music, a gin tub and a Houdini-style escape that raised $170,000 during an evening filled with laughter and fun.
PHOTO COURTESY LAPACEK ORCHARD
HARVEST DELIGHTS | As autumn sweeps us away from the heat of summer, there’s still time to revel in nature’s bountiful harvest before the snow flies. Feel the sun’s lingering warmth as you wander through a fragrant orchard—these beauties are grown at Lapacek Orchard in Poynette—and bite into fruit that’s as crisp as the fall air.
Tuesday, Nov. 8 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Best Western Plus Inn on the Park Register Online: IBMadison.com/WomenOfIndustry
Tickets $45 each or $300 for a table of eight.
Celebrate the forward-thinking women who have had a significant impact on their industries – whether locally, regionally, nationally, or globally. PRESENTED BY
SOUTHWEST WAY
TickeTs: $35 each or $230 for a Table of eighT Southwest Airlines proves that fabulous customer service, high employee morale, and increased profitability is possible in today’s competitive business climate. Jason Young, key developer of Southwest Airlines’ legendary customer service and leadership training programs, shares the inside story behind Southwest’s soaring success and shares how you can apply these proven organizational principles to your business.