Women of Distinction

media release: On Thursday, June 20, 2024, from 5:30 to 7:30PM, YWCA Madison will present the 48th annual Women of Distinction Leadership Awards at the Garver Feed Mill in Madison Wisconsin. We are pleased to announce that this year’s honorees will be Keena Atkinson, Charlotte Cummins, Kristie Goforth, Efrat Livny, ananda de oliveira mirilli, Jan Miyasaki, and Carolyn Stanford Taylor, for exemplifying our mission: eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

Gery Paredez Vásquez, Interim CEO, commented, “This year’s theme invites us to reflect on the possibilities that come to life through empowering sisterhoods in our lives, and we are thrilled to invite our beloved community of Madison to join us in celebrating seven phenomenal women. Their contributions and life journeys expand through multiple intersections of justice, healing and liberation work powerfully impacting our city, the State of Wisconsin, and beyond.”

YWCA Madison is proud to have recognized over 250 women since the first Woman of Distinction was bestowed in 1974. Their collective community service, professional achievement, integrity, leadership and dedication to the lives of others and to the quality of life for all stand as a reflection of YWCA Madison’s historic mission and values.

Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of these remarkable women and to join the YWCA Madison community in honoring their dedication and leadership.

To purchase tickets and for more information please visit www.ywcamadison.org, or contact Jay Young at (608) 257-1436 option 3.  

About the Honorees

Keena Atkinson - Keena is a single mother to 2 sons, activist, speaker, multi-family housing owner, master stylist, writer, actress, and sharer of knowledge, thought and wisdom.

In addition to earning her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Keena is a 500 hour-certified, trauma informed, social justice and ayurveda yoga teacher and trainer. She has over five years of experience teaching yoga and dance in-person and virtually. Keena also shares and speaks on many of these topics and much more in her 3 Podcasts and Webshows: TBD Podcast, R’oujie Ruminations and Revelations, and Kaleb Conversation.

As a former executive leader for a fortune 500 company, Keena has successfully led, developed and provided leadership to hundreds of individuals and multiple teams to achieve record-high sales volumes, timely and successful transitions as well as consistent growth. As a community servant, she works with various populations to create diverse learning spaces on race, social justice, equity, education, wellness and more. Through her wellness company, R'oujie Wellness, and her salon space, K Naturally Hair, Keena focuses on health, wealth and joy from the inside out.

Charlotte Cummins - Charlotte was raised by industrious parents and grew up with three siblings in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Missouri. Since childhood, she has loved to draw and create art. As the recipient of multiple art ribbons (awards) at middle school art contests, a passion was ignited to further pursue creative endeavors. Charlotte studied fiber and textiles at Kansas City Art Institute, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in fashion design from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Master’s Degree in Apparel Manufacturing from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Charlotte traveled globally as a technical designer for Lands’ End from 1990 to 2001. She became an educator in 2009, after leaving her career at Lands’ End. Charlotte desired a career where she could combine her love of working with children with her enthusiasm for visual arts. 

From 2009 to 2021, she was an elementary art educator in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) at five different elementary schools. While working for MMSD, Charlotte mentored many students, establishing deep relationships with those that felt alienated. Charlotte was the key coordinator for César Chávez’s first Black history month school wide assembly celebration. While an MMSD educator, she served as a member of the Teacher Advisory Work group which reported to the Madison Schools Superintendent. Charlotte was nominated for the MMSD Excellence with Equity Award. A year later, in 2019, she was the recipient of the 100 Black Men of Madison, Linda Allen Award of Educational Excellence.’

Beginning in 2014, for six years, she used her passion for art to serve her community as a board member for the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA). The last two years of her term she served as the Executive committee secretary of the Board of Trustees. In 2020, Charlotte organized with other art educators to paint a Black Lives Matter mural on State Street in downtown Madison, and served as a facilitator for the local chapter of the Institute for the Healing of Racism.

In 2021, she transitioned from her teaching career to serve as the Director of Education and Programming at MMoCA. Then in January 2023, Charlotte Cummins joined the Madison Children’s Museum as Director of Community Partnerships. In this newly created role she is expanding and deepening the museum’s partnerships with communities in Madison.

Since childhood, Charlotte has loved to draw, create art, nurture children and have fun dancing. She loves to learn about her ancestors and has traveled multiple times to Guinea, West Africa to further her study of dance and drumming.

Kristie Goforth - Kristie has led Bikes for Kids Wisconsin for four transformative years, aligning its mission with the core values of YWCA Madison. Initially focused on providing children with their first bikes, Kristie reshaped the organization’s purpose to center around Transportation Equity. Drawing from her own experiences, Kristie recognizes the profound impact of transportation barriers on marginalized communities, particularly essential workers and families of color.

In response to the pandemic-induced shutdowns, Kristie pivoted the organization’s efforts to providing bikes to all people for low-cost transportation, developed a youth education program called Bike Mechanics, and led the organization to provide free service to those they serve in addition to low-cost bikes for sale increasing access for all. The organization has now given away over 11,000 bicycles to people in need.

Efrat Livny - An immigrant from Israel 40 years ago, Efrat had an early career in Information Systems, followed by a longer career as a bodyworker, health care provider, and artist.

In 2001, while on her healing journey from Ovarian cancer, Efrat decided to create a Gilda’s Club in Madison.  She brought together the team which, after a few years of fundraising and organizing, succeeded in opening Gilda’s Club Madison, providing a gathering place and much-needed support to thousands of people living with or affected by cancer and their families. The club recently celebrated their 15th anniversary! 

In 2015 she created Threshold, a gathering, event, and co-working space on Atwood Ave.  It was a multifaceted, one-of-a-kind, and significant community hub until COVID shut it down in 2021. In 2016 she hosted a “Soup for Syria” event at Threshold, which became the genesis of Open Doors for Refugees, a volunteer-based organization that welcomes refugees to Madison.  Over the last eight years Open Doors has set up over 120 fully furnished apartments for new arrivals, provided thousands of rides, and offered them a plethora of goods, services, and opportunities.  Efrat was instrumental in the formation of Open Doors and has helped shape and direct the organization, initiated new programs, planned community events, and collaborated with other organizations.

Efrat continues to participate, initiate, and invest in our community to help shape Madison as a welcoming, creative, and diverse place to live, for all.

ananda de oliveira mirilli - ananda de oliveira mirilli is unafraid and unapologetic in their commitment to, and centering of, racial justice from a global & intersectional space, that evokes creativity and innovation in tackling deep seated inequities. They are a native of Brazil, and have a long history of working with communities in the U.S. and abroad. At age 14, ananda engaged in social justice movement & advocacy. After moving to the U.S., ananda became an educator and found their passion facilitating learning spaces for individuals, groups and organizations engaging in transformative work. As a skilled facilitator, ananda has engaged with thousands of youth and diverse professionals, building coalition and solidarity. ananda is a beautiful storyteller, a deep listener, and a thoughtful, experienced practitioner who centers love and restorative principles in the work that they do. ananda is a doctoral student at Alverno College, centering their work around co-creating belonging in learning spaces. They hold a master’s degree in Education Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin and a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Psychology. In Madison, Wisconsin, ananda is a former member of the Board of Education of the Madison Metropolitan School District, Nuestro Mundo Bilingual School and Unidos Against Domestic Violence. Lastly, ananda is a proud and dedicated mother to their 21-year-old daughter Breana.

Jan Miyasaki - Jan Miyasaki has been the director of Project Respect, a Dane County, Wisconsin-based social service agency that provides outreach, advocacy, support group, specialized mental health and comprehensive case management services to adults and juveniles survivors of sexual exploitation and human trafficking. She has over 30 years of experience working with municipal, county, state or federal law enforcement and recovering victims; organizing with governmental and non-governmental organizations to recognize and develop services for youth and adult victims; providing trauma-informed direct services to victims; and training others to provide services in the interdisciplinary field of trafficking response.

Carolyn Stanford Taylor - Carolyn Stanford Taylor began her career in education as a teacher in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD).  She became the first African American President of MTI, the teacher’s union of MMSD, and also served as principal of multiple schools, including two schools at once. Mrs. Stanford Taylor proudly served MMSD for 21 years.

In 2001 she became an Assistant Superintendent for the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction, a position she held for 19 years. She was appointed State Superintendent in 2019 by Governor Tony Evers, the first African American to serve in that role. After retiring, she returned to MMSD in 2022, to serve as Deputy Superintendent. Mrs. Stanford Taylor’s leadership involves giving others the opportunities they need to lead. Upon her return to MMSD, she helped organize a Youth Summit – allowing youth leaders from across Madison’s high schools to take charge and create an environment to hear topics relevant to their concerns. Additionally, she co-created the Village Builders project at MMSD, through which diverse and trusted community members work with our students as employees.

Mrs. Stanford Taylor has served on numerous boards, commissions, and committees including: Dane County Human services board, Families and schools together (FAST), The Juvenile Justice commission, UW School of Education Board of Visitors, and The UW Board of Regents. She has been the recipient of many recognitions and awards such as the Lois Gadd Nemic award for exemplary teaching; the Norman Bassett Golden Apple award; the Virginia Hart award, recognition for outstanding women in state service; the gsafe 2021 Educator of the Year award, and; the State of Mississippi Senate resolution No. 522 recognizing her distinguished career in education. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, inc. An organization founded on service. Mrs. Stanford Taylor has been able to give back to our community through a number of venues, working with and creating opportunities for our youth. Carolyn and husband,  Larry, have five children, all public school graduates, and two are public school educators.

YWCA Madison is grateful to Summit Credit Union, TruStage, Madison Gas & Electric, Park Bank, UW Madison Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ascendium, and our non-alcoholic beverages sponsor, The Bounty, as well as many other generous area businesses and individual contributors for making this event possible. With the financial assistance of corporate sponsors, YWCA Madison will continue to provide vital services to women and families in Dane County, empowering them to build a better and brighter future.

About YWCA Madison

YWCA Madison is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people. For information about this important work, go to www.ywcamadison.org.