Women of Distinction 2019: Melva Henderson

Women of Distinction 2019: Melva Henderson

It is Milwaukee Magazine’s pleasure to introduce this special section featuring female business owners, financial and spiritual leaders, health care professionals, entrepreneurs, philanthropists and all-around glass-ceiling breakers!

Melva Henderson was watching Oprah’s “Big Give” event in 2007 when she realized she didn’t need millions to start giving. Partnering with Feed the Children, she raised $12,000 to feed 1,000 Milwaukee families. Next, she launched The Milwaukee Give, which provided 55,000 people with clothes and food. This led to mission trips with her husband and kids, outfitting Mexican children with shoes, for example.

In 2016, Henderson launched the non-denominational World Outreach Center. Within three years, membership grew from 75 to 500. “It was about getting our hands into people’s lives – the need to be loved, the need to be valued, the need to be cared for,” she says.

“A leader is someone with influence, nothing more, nothing less. I’m not a force by myself.” – Melva Henderson, Co-founder and President, World Outreach Center


Q&A With Melva Henderson

How are you a force within your community?

“I found myself always in a position where I was helping someone navigate in life. The more people I helped, the more I desired to help. Recognizing the power of community, I’ve been able to bring people together building alignment for a common cause.”

What is your life purpose?

“To see that every gift I’ve been given is poured out for the advancement of others. My purpose is helping people get to their purpose.”


Click Here to Read More of This Year’s Women of Distinction

A seasoned writer, and a former editor at Milwaukee Home & Fine Living, Kristine Hansen launched her wine-writing career in 2003, covering wine tourism, wine and food pairings, wine trends and quirky winemakers. Her wine-related articles have published in Wine Enthusiast, Sommelier Journal, Uncorked (an iPad-only magazine), FoodRepublic.com, CNN.com and Whole Living (a Martha Stewart publication). She's trekked through vineyards and chatted up winemakers in many regions, including Chile, Portugal, California (Napa, Sonoma and Central Coast), Canada, Oregon and France (Bordeaux and Burgundy). While picking out her favorite wine is kind of like asking which child you like best, she will admit to being a fan of Oregon Pinot Noir and even on a sub-zero winter day won't turn down a glass of zippy Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.