Community Change-Maker Awards

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Isthmus Pick

The nonprofit Community Shares of Wisconsin hosts this annual event honoring “those who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication to creating positive change.” This year’s honorees: Mary Berryman Agard (Bayview Foundation president), Michele Erikson (former Wisconsin Literacy executive director), Brandi Grayson (Urban Triage founder), Maria I. Rodriguez (ACLU of Wisconsin board member), and the organizations Tenant Resource Center and Legal Action of Wisconsin. Donations for a ticket are a fundraiser for nonprofits; find more info at communityshares.com.

media release: On September 19, Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW) will honor local leaders and organizations who are advancing social and environmental justice in our community. The annual Community Change-Maker Awards event will take place at Union South and online. The public is invited to attend the event.

Tickets purchased in support of this event help Community Shares award $6,000 in donations to local nonprofits. Each of the six award winners will select a nonprofit to receive a $1,000 donation.

Tickets are a suggested donation of $50. To sponsor the event or purchase tickets, visit communityshares.com.

Change-Maker Award Winners  

Mary Berryman Agard, nominated by Bayview Foundation

Winner of the Liesl Blockstein Community Leadership Award

Mary Berryman Agard is President of the Bayview Foundation and a board member of the Madison Senior Center Foundation. Professionally, Mary taught preschool, performed in and directed youth theatre, established the nation’s first municipal support system for early education and care, and managed arts development programs. She consulted in strategic, cultural, and civic planning, philanthropic management, and nonprofit development. Mary served on the Madison Police and Fire Commission, the Madison Arts Commission, the City-University liaison committee, several committees for the public schools, the boards of two experimental schools, and numerous political campaign steering committees. She also founded the Monona Bay Neighborhood Association.

Brandi Grayson, nominated by Urban Triage

Winner of the Sally Sunde Family Advocate Award

Brandi Grayson is a revolutionary leader who founded Urban Triage in 2019 to address issues such as state violence, mass incarceration, housing shortages, and police brutality. Under her leadership, the organization has grown to over 20 employees and secured major contracts to assist and support vulnerable communities in Madison. Brandi has been widely recognized for her contributions and transparent leadership style, rooted in her commitment to core values. Her ability to navigate complex challenges and her deep connection with the community she serves makes her a powerful community advocate.

Maria I. Rodriguez, nominated by American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin

Winner of the Linda Sundberg Civil Rights Defender Award

Maria I. Rodriguez has been a dedicated member of the ACLU of Wisconsin board since 2021. With a 30-year career at Milwaukee’s Housing Authority and as Director of the Election Commission, Maria has worked to improve housing and ensure fair elections. She volunteers with United Way and the League of Women Voters, and has received the distinguished Gwen Jackson Community Service Award. Maria’s commitment to community service and family values continues to inspire many. Maria has also been honored by UMOS with the Wisconsin’s Hispanic Woman of the Year award in 1989 and by the Women’s Fund with the Lynde B. Uihlein award in 2009.  

CSW Collaboration Award Winners

Tenant Resource Center and Legal Action of Wisconsin

In 2021, the Tenant Resource Center, Legal Action of Wisconsin, Community Justice Inc., and the UW Law School partnered to set up the Eviction Diversion & Defense Partnership (EDDP) with federal emergency funds distributed by the City of Madison and Dane County.

The EDDP improves housing stability for Dane County tenants by providing housing support, housing counseling, court navigation, mediation services, and rental assistance. The program also refers eligible tenants whose housing stability is at risk to partner attorneys who provide legal representation at no cost to tenants.  

CSW Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

Michele Erikson

Michele Erikson believes literacy is a basic human right and has been working to improve literacy for nearly 40 years.

Since 1985, Michele has worked in literacy at the local and state level. At Wisconsin Literacy she supported, developed, and advocated for 70+ community-based literacy organizations statewide. Under Michele’s leadership the statewide coalition steadily increased, and Wisconsin Literacy members now serve more than 11,000 adult learners.

Early in her time with Wisconsin Literacy, Michele began working in health literacy by directing small projects with local literacy agencies to improve health understanding. In 2010, after receiving additional funding, Wisconsin Health Literacy was launched under her leadership. That work continues in Wisconsin and beyond with a focus on improving health outcomes and reducing health care costs by educating providers and patients on effective ways to communicate through a health literacy and health equity lens.

Photos and extended bios of award winners are available upon request.

The Community Change-Maker Awards event is generously presented by UW Credit Union.

Since 1971, Community Shares of Wisconsin and its members have worked together to advance social justice and protect the environment in Wisconsin. Together they envision a future where people come together to ensure every member of our community is safe, healthy, and able to thrive.