Women of Distinction: 7 women, SSM Health will be recognized at annual YWCA dinner
KYLIE BALK-YAATENEN Adams Publishing Group May 5, 2023 Updated May 10, 2023
JANESVILLE — YWCA Rock County will honor 7 women and a local corporation at its 48th annual Women of Distinction dinner on Wednesday.
The annual event will be at the Celtic House, 1417 W Airport Road, at 5 p.m. Wednesday
In addition to honoring outstanding local women, the dinner raises funds for victims of domestic violence and programs that empower women through the YWCA’s Transitions for Women program.
For almost 50 years, the YWCA has been honoring women, young women, and organizations for their work in their personal lives, and who have given back to their communities in the spirit of advancing women.
The dinner will be emceed by Rock County Circuit Court Judge and YWCA member Ashley Morse.
Adrian Graham, chair of the event’s planning committee, said in a release she is excited to be able to recognize and honor women in Rock County.
“It has been a privilege to join the hardworking women on this committee for the last four years as we celebrate and empower deserving women in Rock County,” she said in the release. “This year, recipients have demonstrated personal and professional success while positively impacting our community. They all showcase integrity, compassion, and leadership qualities.”
Tickets are no longer available for the evening event that includes cocktails, dinner and a program featuring the work of the YWCA and the Women of Distinction awards presentation.
Honorees Deanna Renteria
Renteria is this year’s Young Woman of Distinction. Born and raised in Beloit, she is currently a student at UW-Whitewater at Rock County, working on a bachelor of arts degree in history and double majoring in Spanish and legal studies. She has worked on increasing voter registration on campus and is involved with the League of Women Voters.
Denise Webb Webb was born in West Bend, and her family moved back to Janesville when she was 9 months old. She is a graduate of Milton High School, attended Marion College in Fond Du Lac and currently lives in Milton with her husband. Webb is a partner at Hagen CPA and active with her family, work and community. She is treasurer of many different community organizations, active in Hope Lutheran Church and a member of the Women Helping Women Network. She has donated many hours to the community for many local nonprofits, and has even assisted some nonprofits with their accounting.
Erica Daniels Daniels is a Beloit native and graduate of Beloit Memorial Memorial High School. She studied marketing and communications at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta and previously worked at UW-Whitewater as the administrative assistant of multicultural affairs and student success. She currently works as the chief of staff and secretary of the college at Beloit College. She is a critical member of the college’s anti-racism liaison team, integral in the formation and assessment of the college’s Becoming Better Action Plan. She lives by the Clark Atlanta University mantra, “I’ll find a way or make one.”
Jamie Counsell Counsell started her career in healthcare in 2001. She graduated from nursing school with an associates degree in 2009 and hit the ground running in labor & delivery. She then pursued a passion for forensic nursing and applied for a sexual assault nurse examiner position in 2012. From there she transitioned into the emergency department and eventually landed a role as Mercy Janesville’s sexual assault program coordinator in 2015. Her interest in forensics came from a personal and traumatic experience in her life. She has since taken that experience and modeled a trauma informed care approach to her patients. Her program sees all ages — birth through death — all genders/identities, races, cultures and any human who needs support and services.
Julia Jorgensen Jorgensen and her husband opened a State Farm insurance agency in Janesville in 2008. She is the co-owner of Cascade Property Development which owns several properties in Janesville. In 2019 she and her husband and two other business partners, Scott and Leslie Wente, opened Velocity Multi-Sport & Cycling. Along with her businesses, she also helps out in community nonprofits. Most recently, she has developed the event management side of the Velocity business. With this development, she assists a variety of different charities & organizations with their ticketing events, race development, race timing, registrations and website development to help them raise awareness and funds for their cause.
Rene Bue Bue carries out her community service through her jobs as the community engagement manager at Hedberg Public Library, inclusive services consultant for Prairie Lakes Library System, and adjunct instructor for Blackhawk Technical College. She also involved with many organizations including the American Business Women’s Association, the Diversity Action Team of Rock County, The Janesville Police Department’s Latino and African American Liaison Advisory Committees, the Latino Service Providers Coalition, the Immigrant Support Network, the Allies of Native Nations, Nutrition & Health Associates, the city of Janesville’s Emergency Management Team, and the Rock County Anti Human Trafficking Task
Force.
Sarah Williams Williams was raised in Edgerton and has lived in Janesville for 20 years. She currently works at Edgerton Community Outreach Inc as the executive director. She received her bachelor’s degree in social work and psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She is proud of the renovation project that was completed in 2012, ECO’s growth in its housing program, and the newest project the 210 West Fulton Street veterans housing development.
Corporate Award of Meritm — SSM Health SSM Health is the 2023 Corporate Award of Merit recipient. The award recognizes businesses and organizations in Rock County that work to improve the quality of life in the community. Recipients also serve as role models and support policies, practices and attitudes in the advancement of women.