(APPLETON-FOX CITIES, WI) — Long-standing advocate for fair voting district maps and former Wisconsin State Assembly Representative Penny Bernard-Schaber was honored with the Making Democracy Work Awards by the League of Women Voters of Appleton-Fox Cities at its Holiday Brunch on December 13 at Bubolz Nature Preserve.
The award is the League’s signature recognition honoring the civic work of individuals or organizations in their community as demonstrated through their professional work or volunteerism. The League is nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing any political party or candidate.
According to League President Jan Quinlan, the award celebrates those who have envisioned a way to improve the Fox Cities community, and who have mobilized others to work with them to effect change benefiting the broader community. Eligible nominees include adults, youth under age 21, and organizations.
Bernard-Schaber believes Democracy means action. She first ran for state assembly in 2005 and 2006 before being elected in 2008. As Appleton’s Representative in the Wisconsin Assembly, she championed environmental impact in her position on the Jobs and Economy Committee. She used her background as a physical therapist and her strategic planning experience to advocate for health care for all, as well as other critical issues.
Penny served in the State Assembly for three terms before embarking on a campaign for the Wisconsin Senate in 2014.
Penny has been advocating for Fair Maps since she was in the State Assembly, and now works with the statewide Fair Maps Coalition. She currently works to offer a series of public hearings, public rallies, and calls to elected officials to create permanent fair maps through a constitutional amendment mandating a non-partisan redistricting process.
She serves on the Board of the Partnership Health Center, and is a weekly volunteer building houses with Habitat for Humanity.
As the League’s event call to action, Shirley Strange and a volunteer team distributed postcards and sample messages for attendees to address and send to national and state elected or appointed officials urging them to take positive action on unconstitutional actions that stand in the way of equitable and affordable health care, voting rights, immigration policies, and other issues. Shirley’s “People Powered Postcard” volunteers are on hand at the Appleton Public Library on the firs Saturday morning of most months to provide these free materials and postage for anyone wishing to contact their elected officials.
Additional information about the work of the League may be found on the League website, lwvappletonfoxcities.org and on its Facebook page.
The League is a nonpartisan, activist, grassroots political organization that helps people become active, informed voters. It neither supports nor opposes political parties or candidates. The League strives to engage all people by infusing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its work.
