MADISON — First Lady Kathy Evers today announced that “Women Who Inspire,” a program of the Committee to Celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of Wisconsin’s Ratification of the 19th Amendment, will highlight Michelle Shrider, Certified Marina Manager for Washburn Marina, located on Lake Superior in Bayfield County, and the General Manager of the Wisconsin Marine Association.
“As we celebrate women’s vote, from enactment of the 19th Amendment to the Voting Rights Act to the 2020 Centennial and all the progress women have made in the last 100 years, we recognize there is work still to be done,” said First Lady Evers who chairs the Committee, “That’s why the Committee chose to recognize women who are working today for social change and increasing parity for women and girls in Wisconsin.”
Ms. Shrider was nominated by State Representative Beth Meyers as a trailblazer in her industry and for her service to the community, including inspiring the next generation with her love of water sports and boating.
“Michelle has truly broken barriers in a male-dominated industry and has led the way for a generation of young women working in and around marinas,” said Rep. Meyers. “She is someone who turned her passion into her career. Michelle knows what the water means to the way of life in Northern Wisconsin.”
In addition to her leadership at Washburn Marina, Michelle Shrider serves on regional and national marine industry boards, including the Association of Marina Industries, American Boatbuilders and Repairers Association, and the Bayfield Harbor Commission. She has also completed the Clean Marina Certification Process for the Washburn Marina, a rigorous certification for reducing environmental impact. Ms. Shrider also shares her lifelong love of water sports and boating with the next generation as Chair of the Bayfield Rec Center and her involvement with youth sailing classes.
Committee members were invited to nominate and interview women who inspire them to feature on the Committee website with the intent of inspiring a broad bipartisan audience and bringing more diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, age, geography, background, and identity to the women’s rights conversation. All nominees that will be featured on the website were submitted by members of the Committee and will be featured on a rotating basis leading up to the 100th anniversary of enactment of the 19th Amendment in August.
The website separately highlights notable Wisconsin social activists and trailblazers, such as Vel Phillips, Ada Deer, Justice Shirley Abrahamson, Belle Case LaFollette and others with links to outside resources.
The 19th Amendment Committee was formed by Executive Order 19 on April 11, 2019 and is comprised of Wisconsin’s women in elected and appointed state office and other women leaders and experts.