Thank You!
May 8, 2026, at Marriott Madison West
On Friday, May 8, we gathered for YWCA Madison’s first-ever Solidarity Sunset Soirée, a new signature event honoring the transformative leadership of women, illuminating the impact of YWCA Madison, and celebrating the shared power and love that sustains this community.
Rooted in the beloved traditions of Circle and Women of Distinction, the evening became a living reflection of where we have been and a collective vision of what we are becoming together.
Throughout the night, we moved through moments of connection and celebration with heartfelt tributes, vibrant art, nourishing food, joyful dancing, and meaningful community. We were especially honored to celebrate 50 years of Women of Distinction and the radiant sisterhood of leaders across generations whose courage, care, and vision have helped shape our local justice movements.
Because of your solidarity and generosity, we not only met but surpassed our fundraising goal, raising more than $59,000 in support of YWCA Madison’s mission and programs across Housing Justice, Restorative Justice, Economic & Employment Justice, and Learning & Movement Building.
Thank you for helping make this first-ever Solidarity Sunset Soirée such a powerful and meaningful beginning to YWCA Madison’s milestone year. What comes next is up to all of us.
This is Our Legacy.
What happens next is up to us.
Bold & Spirited
Our theme, Bold and Spirited, reflects the energy of this precious moment. Even as the world dims, there is a collective fire among us, steady, luminous, and growing. This light lives in our gathering, our generosity, our refusal to turn away, and our commitment to one another.
Join us in YWCA Madison’s golden hour as we come together in community to honor what has shaped us, stay present to the movement we are tending, and look toward what is emerging just beyond the horizon. Together, we carry forward the warmth, courage, and imagination that make a new day possible.
Celebrating 50 Years of
Women of Distinction
Established in 1974, the Women of Distinction honor has recognized nearly 300 extraordinary women in our community who embody the heart of YWCA Madison’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women, promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. YWCA Madison is proud to welcome our 2026 Women of Distinction Honorees into this amazing legacy of women leading across generations!
“In this moment of reflection and celebration, we have the immense joy to honor a remarkable group of women whose embodiment of our mission and values shaped YWCA Madison and continues to contribute to the advancement of justice, collective healing, and liberation in the broader Madison community, and beyond.
— YWCA Madison CEO Gery Paredes Vásquez.
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