Madison, WI – On September 22, Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW) will honor local leaders and organizations who are advancing social and environmental justice in our community. The annual Community Change-Maker Awards event will take place at Union South and online. The public is invited to attend the event.

Tickets purchased in support of this event help Community Shares award six nonprofits $1,000 each. Tickets are a suggested donation of $50.

For more information and tickets visit communityshares.com

Change-Maker Award Winners

Dana Pellebon, nominated by OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center – Winner of the Liesl Blockstein Community Leadership Award

Pellebon is an activist, artist, and educator. As the Co-Executive Director of the Rape Crisis Center, a member of the OutReach board of directors, and a newly elected member of the Dane County Board of Supervisors, Pellebon’s impact is woven into the grassroots work happening throughout Dane County.

Phyllis Greenberger, nominated by Disability Rights Wisconsin – Winner of the Sally Sunde Family Advocate Award

Greenberger has been a tireless champion for children and youth with disabilities since she began at Disability Rights Wisconsin over 30 years ago. A creative problem solver and fierce advocate, Greenberger uses her extensive knowledge of systems and resources to improve the lives of children in need of support and accommodations.

Elisabeth Lambert, nominated by ACLU of Wisconsin Foundation – Winner of the Linda Sundberg Civil Rights Defender Award

Lambert understands that for students to thrive in school they need strong advocates. In her role as the Equal Justice Works Fellow at ACLU of Wisconsin, she represents students and families dealing with discriminatory practices within the school system.

CSW Collaboration Award Winners


Midwest Environmental Advocates, River Alliance of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Environmental Health Network (the environmental arm of Physicians for Social Responsibility Wisconsin), for using the power of the law to protect the health of Wisconsin communities.

These organizations, along with other environmental and public health organizations, collaborated to defend and uphold the Spills Law when Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the largest business lobbyist in Wisconsin, sued the Department of Natural Resources in an attempt to undermine the law.

CSW Lifetime Achievement Award Winner


R. Richard (Dick) Wagner, for being instrumental in the movement for LGBTQ equality in Wisconsin and especially in Dane County. Awarded posthumously.

In his 33-year-long career, Wagner served as the first openly gay member of the Dane County Board of Supervisors, chaired the first Governor’s Council on Lesbian and Gay Issues, and joined the Board of Fair Wisconsin to fight the constitutional amendment against marriage equality. Upon his retirement, he published two books about gay history in Wisconsin.

Photos and extended bios of award winners are available upon request.

The Community Change-Maker Awards event is generously presented by UW Credit Union.

Since 1971, Community Shares of Wisconsin and its members have worked together to advance social justice and protect the environment in Wisconsin. Together they envision a future where people come together to ensure every member of our community is safe, healthy, and able to thrive.

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