Mind on Matter

I recently read an article about “mattering” – the idea is that feeling as if you are making a difference in your work, your relationships and your community is one of the most important determining factors in one’s confidence and mental well-being.

 This month’s Women’s Issue is filled with women who matter, starting with the 2023 cohort of Betty honorees. This is the fifth year that we’ve given out these awards, which honor our former publisher, the late Betty Quadracci. Once again, I am awed by these women and the work they are doing. 

We gathered at the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel in the Historic Third Ward for our conversation and photo shoot. My questions don’t change too much from year to year, but the conversation always takes on a life of its own, following the path of what sparks the most interest around the table. 

This year, it felt like the group wanted to go deep on every topic, leading to a very real exchange of thoughts. Gabriela Parra, an immigration attorney, spoke of how she dealt with the sometimes-limiting expectations her Latino community has for young women. Artist Della Wells’ matter-of-fact recounting of her mother’s struggles with schizophrenia brought to the forefront Wells’ own resilience. Kimberly Kane, founder of Kane Communications, played coed sports as a youngster, when the girls were still the same size or bigger than the boys. That experience gave her a type of confidence that still bolsters her today. Meagan Johnson, founder of Milwaukee Diaper Mission, talked about collaboration as an alternative to competition in business. Helping to change the habits and inequities of the past is something that Kristina Ropella, dean of the Opus School of Engineering at Marquette, discussed as a guiding principle. And Dr. Ann Merkow, medical director of QuadMed, spoke about how some of the ground that women have gained over the years is eroding. Read more starting on page 32.

What other amazing women are we featuring in this issue? Glad you asked! We profile the warm relationship between Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown BID 21, and her daughter, Shawna Nicols, better known as DJ Shawna, who spins for the Bucks and others (page 50). And we also take a deep dive into women’s basketball, which is finally starting to get its due after all these years (page 42).     

A few years back, the phrase “the future is female” seemed to be everywhere. From the looks of it, that future is now.

– Carole Nicksin, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher
carole@milwaukeemag.com, @CaroleNicksin

In the Magazine:

Features:

• The Betty Awards Meet the fifth cohort of Milwaukee women doing exceptional work echoing the spirit
  of our longtime publisher.   
• We See You Now: Women’s basketball is riding a wave in 2023, and this season local players and coaches are eager to show a new audience what they’re made of.  
• Two of a Kind: Take a peek inside the special mother-daughter relationship between “Downtown Beth” Weirick and “DJ Shawna” Nicols.  
• MilMag Interview: We talk partisanship, decorum and gender representation in the Legislature with Reps. Cindi Duchow and Christine Sinicki.     

Your 414

• Quilts: Local fiber artist Heidi Parkes shows off her work.
• People Places Things: Check in with Wisconsin poet Louis V. Clark III, immerse yourself in the world of King Tut, hear from singer-songwriter Ellie Jackson and more.
• Shop Local: Five gift pairing ideas for the holidays

The Dish

• Snack: Lush Popcorn’s new headquarters is a snack sanctuary.
• Tidbits: The latest on The Bartolotta Restaurants’ foray into Lake Country, West Allis’ new smashburger shop and more dining news.
• Thanksgiving: Follow this food stylist’s tips for a stress-free holiday.

Insider

• Tech: Meet Rosie, MSOE’s supercomputer
• Media: A podcast showcasing Milwaukee women
• Design: Putting a name to a ubiquitous style of architecture

Explore

• Play: Billiard your own adventure at Romine’s High Pockets.
• Travel: Where to experience the captivating sights – and sounds! – of sandhill cranes leaving Wisco for the winter
• Neighborhood Guide: Some Riverwest gems, from Italian sandwiches to pottery workshops