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Sign up now to participate inThe Women's Center 2025 EmPower Luncheon
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 (Denim Day)
Baird Center - 405 W. Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203
SCHEDULE
11:00AM - Registration Opens
11:00AM-12:00PM - Networking, Online Auction, Raffles, Wine Pull
12:00PM - Lunch & Program
1:30PM - Auction Checkout
TICKETS
Individual: $125 per person
Table Sponsor: $1,750 for a table of 10 with sponsor benefits
Ticket sales have closed. Please contact Hannah Harris with questions at hannahh@twcwaukesha.org
ENTRÉE OPTIONS
- Milwaukee Pretzel Crusted Chicken: Dijon roasted chicken breast with pretzel crust, whole grain mustard cream sauce, garlic whipped Yukon potatoes and haricot vert tossed in lemon vinaigrette
- Pan Seared Salmon: Hundred Acre Farms pesto starch with roasted baby vegetables, balsamic marinated vine-on tomatoes and petite herb salad Gluten Free
- Stuffed Eggplant: Roasted caponata with Hundred Acre Farms basil, toasted pine nuts, oven roasted garlic, and lemon baba ghanoush with aged balsamic Gluten Free, Vegan
Dessert for All: Berry Pavlova Meringue with lemon curd, macerated berries and fresh mint Gluten Free, Vegan
Human Trafficking: What Is it Really, and How Does It Impact Our Community?
This year's EmPower Luncheon will host a panel discussion amongst some of southeastern Wisconsin's leading experts on human trafficking. Between them, they have decades of experience providing legal counsel, advocacy, and support to countless victims of trafficking. They will cover everything from what is human trafficking, how long is a typical trafficking case and what is involved, to what type of support and resources trafficking victims need.
We are thrilled to host these accomplished panelists:
- Erica Lounsberry, Assistant United States Attorney and the Human Trafficking Prosecutions Coordinator for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
- Melissa Fus, Special Agent in Charge with the Wisconsin Department of Justice-Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) overseeing the Human Trafficking Bureau
- Nancy Joseph, U.S. Magistrate Judge, Eastern District of Wisconsin
- Erika Petty, Executive Director and Lead Attorney at LOTUS Legal Clinic
- Krystal Chase, Director of Advocacy & Support Services at The Women's Center
As the only dedicated agency in Waukesha County serving victims of human trafficking, we see firsthand the devastating impact trafficking has on its victims and the toll it takes on communities.
Learn from these internationally renowned experts as they discuss what human trafficking really looks like in Wisconsin and learn about the lifesaving work The Women's Center is doing for these victims every day. Be a part of this impactful discussion and discover just how complex the issues around human trafficking really are.
Join us on April 30th to learn the truth about human trafficking in Wisconsin!
ADDITIONAL EVENT INFORMATION
SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES
- Sponsorships start at just $500 and provide many opportunities to promote your business.
- Contact Melissa Vrtis at MelissaV@twcwaukesha.org or 262.522.3813 for questions or more information.
- CLICK HERE to view the list of sponsorship levels and benefits.
ONLINE AUCTION
- The EmPower online auction runs April 23- April 30, 2025, and features dozens of fantastic items from local businesses and individuals.
- Can't attend the event? You can still bid and take part in the auction! CLICK HERE to view and bid.
- Interested in donating an item or service for the auction? Contact MelissaV@twcwaukesha.org or 262.522.3813
RIDESHARE & PARKING
- The Women's Center will again offer bus transportation from our facility in Waukesha to the Baird Center in Milwaukee.
- CLICK HERE to sign up for the rideshare. Space is limited, please sign up early!
- CLICK HERE for directions to Baird Center and parking information.
Why attend the EmPower Luncheon?
The EmPower Luncheon is your chance to become part of the solution. Attending and donating directly empowers The Women's Center to provide the support and resources survivors desperately need. Human Trafficking is a billion-dollar industry, and we can only make an impact with your support.
Let's join hands, raise our voices, and empower healing that echoes through generations.
As The Women's Center's largest fundraising event, more than 550 influential individuals will gather - community leaders, companies, and individuals like you - all united in a single purpose: to empower survivors. Every dollar raised supports lifesaving programs and services that provide safe havens, healing resources, and the strength to rise above abuse.
TRIGGER WARNING: This event will discuss sexual abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking, and may be triggering for some people. This event is not suitable for those under the age of 18. Advocates from TWC will be available at the Luncheon to support anyone who may need it. If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues mentioned above and want support, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 262.542.3828.
Donate Now
Further your impact with a donation to The Women's Center.
All proceeds directly benefit survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, child abuse, and trafficking through lifesaving and life-changing programs and services provided by The Women’s Center.
What is Denim Day?
Join us on April 30, 2025, when millions of people across the world will wear jeans with a purpose, support survivors, and educate themselves and others about all forms of sexual violence.
The Denim Day story begins in Italy in 1992, when an 18-year old girl was raped by the 45-year old driving instructor who was taking her to her very first driving lesson. He took her to an isolated road, pulled her out of the car, removed her jeans and forcefully raped her.
She reports the rape and the perpetrator is arrested and prosecuted. He is then convicted of rape and sentenced to jail. Years later, he appealed the conviction claiming that they had consensual sex. The Italian Supreme Court overturned the conviction and the perpetrator was released. A statement from the Court argued that because the victim was wearing very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans it was not rape but consensual sex. This became known throughout Italy as the "jeans alibi."
Enraged by the verdict, the women in the Italian Parliament launched a protest wearing jeans on the steps of the Supreme Court. This protest was picked up by international media which inspired the California Senate and Assembly to do the same on the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento. Patti Occhiuzzo Giggans, Executive Director of Peace Over Violence, saw this in the media and thought everyone should be wearing jeans to protest all of the myths about why women and girls are raped. Denim Day in LA was born. The first Denim Day in LA event was held in April of 1999, and has continued annually since.
For more information on the global movement visit https://www.denimdayinfo.org/why-denim
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PRESENTING SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSOR
A/V SPONSOR
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
TABLE SPONSORS
AUCTION BAG SPONSOR
Educators Credit Union