'Break the glass ceiling': Local female powerhouses honored during Milwaukee Co. board meeting

By: Ellie Nakamoto-White Facebook | Twitter

Posted: Mar 23, 2023 4:18 PM CDT

NOW: ’Break the glass ceiling’: Local female powerhouses honored during Milwaukee Co. board meeting

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Dozens of local female powerhouses were honored Thursday morning at the county courthouse by the Milwaukee County Board.

This came as part of the board's Women's History Month program. This year's theme? Celebrating women who tell the community's stories.

Inside of the room, it was girl power to the fullest extent.

Recipients included Wisconsin's first black female sheriff, Denita Ball, multiple superintendents, CEO's, and others making a difference in the surrounding area.

“It’s just like a really kind of nice, eclectic group of women from all over the county that are being honored," said Liz Sumner, a supervisor with Milwaukee Co. District 1.

District 10 Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson told CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White it was important to show that "women are here and we can lead."

“As the first Black woman and Latina to chair the board, I’m her-story maker in my own right, and so it’s just awesome to be here with an unprecedented [number] of women on the board of supervisors," Nicholson said.

Also honored was CBS 58's very own news director, Jessie Garcia.

Garcia is the state's first female sports anchor, and the first woman of Hispanic descent to lead a newsroom in Wisconsin.

“To be a part of a women’s history month program in a city and a county and a state that I love just really means a ton to me," Garcia said. "If I can be the first to maybe break that glass ceiling or break any other glass ceilings, then I’m very happy to do so. I may be the first, but I won’t be the last.”

I was incredibly honored to be amongst a group of women recognized by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors today as part of Women’s History Month. Thanks to coworkers @PorterfieldNews @DWTVCameraboy and @ellienw_news for being there. #WHM2023 #milwaukee pic.twitter.com/zCpEGQT5cJ
— Jessie Garcia (@CBS58ND) March 23, 2023

Garcia added that it's incredibly important for young girls to see themselves represented in all fields.

“You really have to see somebody who reflects you in some way in order for you to believe, 'Oh, I can be in that same space,” Garcia said.

With beaming smiles and plaques in hand, family, friends, and other loved ones cheered to support the honorees.

"Women have paved the way in all courses of life. A lot of times, you have so many women that are under appreciated for all of the work that they do. I often say we have to go above and beyond to be acknowledged for what we’re doing while our counterparts can do the base minimum right and get applause," said Board Vice Chair Sequanna Taylor. “For every young girl that has ever had a dream, I want you to know you can absolutely make it, you are wonderful and happy international young women’s day to you as well.”

All recipients listed below: