Women’s Entrepreneurship Week returns with “Radiate ‘88” theme

Women entrepreneurs in Milwaukee will have another opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate their successes as Women’s Entrepreneurship Week (WEW) returns for its ninth year, running May 5-9, 2025.

Organized by She Stands Tall, WEW is a weeklong series of in-person events designed to support and empower women and non-binary entrepreneurs. This year’s theme, “Radiate ‘88,” honors the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988, which removed barriers for women in business, including allowing them to secure loans without male co-signers.

The event lineup includes keynote presentations, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities, with more than 100 speakers set to participate—half of whom identify as BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+.

A hub for connecting and learning

Milwaukee’s historic Central Library will serve as the home base for WEW’s daytime programming, hosting panel discussions, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities in the Summit Credit Union Networking Lounge. Topics will cover financing, marketing, legal insights, empowerment, inclusion, business growth, and work-life integration.

“We’ll celebrate the gains women entrepreneurs have made since the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988 was passed, talk about the work still to do, and plan ways to cooperate for positive change,” said Stephanie Melnick, attorney and owner of Melnick & Melnick, S.C., and founder of She Stands Tall.

Event highlights

The week’s programming includes a mix of morning and evening events featuring Milwaukee-area entrepreneurs, business leaders, and advocates.

Key sessions include:

• Monday, May 5, 8-10 AM – MEET & EAT: A networking breakfast featuring Venice Williams (Alice’s Garden, Fondy Food Center) and Dana Spandet (Flour Girl & Flame) at Story Hill Firehouse.
• Tuesday, May 6, 5:30-8:30 PM – TOGETHER WE THRIVE: EMPOWERING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS, PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE: A panel discussion with Wendy Baumann (Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions), Terese Caro (Legacy Redevelopment Corporation), Margaret Henningson (retired), Val Lucks (Honeypie, SmallPie, Comet Cafe), and Ana Simpson (Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast) at Denizen.
• Wednesday, May 7, 8-10 AM – STORYTELLING IN THE DIGITAL ERA: MARKETING THAT CONNECTS: A panel on crafting compelling brand narratives, featuring Nydia Maurás-Jones (Odvant Creative), Betty Allen (Seadog Creative), Chloe Longmire (Chase My Creations), and Laura Markewicz (Lotza) at Central Library.
• Thursday, May 8, 5:30-8:30 PM – RADIATE AND CELEBRATE: A closing event with food stations from women-owned businesses, an interactive maker’s market, and music by DJ Lolo at Ivy House.

For a full calendar of events and registration information click here.