Dream Scholarship Ball and Auction Information

Join us for the 39th Annual

“ I have a Dream” Scholarship Ball and Virtual Auction in Honor of
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 18, 2025

The Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolan Dr, Madison WI 

6:00 – 11:00 PM

Please join us!

Keynote Speaker:

Each year Women In Focus invites a past WIF scholar to be our keynote speaker. This year our speaker is Alex Booker, a 2014 Women in Focus Scholar, who was a freshman at Edgewood College when he received his scholarship. Alex will update us on his interesting educational and vocational journey.

Alex Booker, 2014 WIF Scholarship recipient

Alex Booker is a Madison native, farmer and teacher/workshop presenter.  He is a manager at Badger Rock Neighborhood Center and this summer he enjoyed working as the 2024 Naturalist in Residence for the Madison Public Library.  In addition to coordinating the Black Excellence Life Readiness cooking series, he grows culturally significant crops at Firm Footing farm that he uses in his culinary and herbalism workshops. Alex is also a part of the ASE cooperative that honors the troubled connection Black Americans have to the land. His overall goal is to help people get reconnected to their food systems and to the land.

Media Partner:

Our 2025 Media Partner is ABC Channel 27 and our Emcee is evening news anchor Brandon Taylor.

  

Brandon was a WKOW Wake Up Wisconsin anchor from 2014-2018.  He returned to Madison in 2023 with his Goldendoodle “Monroe Madison.”  You can watch Brandon on Channel 27 weeknights at 5, 6 and 10 PM.

2025 Women In Focus Ball Meal Choices:

Strawberry & Brie Salad (Gluten Free)
Baby Spinach & Spring Mix, Sliced Strawberry, Wisconsin Brie Cheese Wedge, House Citrus Vinaigrette

Chicken Marsala (Gluten free)
Boneless Chicken Breast, Marsala Wine Sauce, Mushroom Brown Rice Pilaf

Whole Green Beans with Confetti Peppers (Gluten Free and Vegan)

Quinoa Stuffed Zucchini Boats (Gluten free and vegan)
Zucchini Boats:  Quinoa, Wild Rice, Apricots, Craisins, Parsley, Carrot Gastrique

Dessert: Assorted Classic Cupcakes and Gluten free Cupcakes

Please email for dairy free or other dietary requests. Info@womeninfocusmadison.org

Help us create hope for the future through education!

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and donors, since 1986, we have been able to award over $800,000 in scholarships. We are extremely appreciative of our sponsors as their contributions have truly made a difference in the lives of our scholarship recipients. We encourage organizations and individuals to become sponsors of our Ball. Your financial assistance will enable WIF to continue to award substantial scholarships this year and in the years to come.

Donate a fully-funded Dream Scholarship!

Would you like to remember someone who has passed, encourage students entering a particular field of study, or “pay it forward” by funding a WIF scholarship? Please consider this a wonderful way to make a positive impact!  Click here for more information about this opportunity. 

Sponsor the Dream Ball & Silent Auction!

Sponsorship is a win/win opportunity!  Your support helps us put on a quality virtual event and also helps fund scholarships for BIPOC youth in Madison!  Showcase your business in our electronic program book, on the WIF website for a year, and, depending on the amount of your support, you’ll be featured in WIF social media posts prior to the Ball.  Click here to learn more!

Women In Focus is committed to the health and safety of our guests and the community.  As COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses continue to circulate, we will have masks and hand sanitizer available during the event.  If symptomatic, consider testing for COVID-19 and healing at home instead.