View the 2009, Commencement Ceremony for The Road She Traveled project. Over the past several years, Longfellow Middle School students have been diligently working on a one-of-a-kind history project to honor women in the Coulee Region, titled The Road She Traveled. With the guidance of the La Crosse Area League of Women Voters, women that have made a significant impact on our community have been identified, and our students have conducted interviews, written biographies, and created...

Even with a diagnosis of cancer, Sister Thea Bowman didn’t allow her goals to be compromised. Thea persevered, and this devotion earned her the honor of Viterbo University’s Most Outstanding Person. Sister Thea was a sought after speaker making over 150 speeches a year promoting world peace and humanity and directing her award-winning gospel choir. If she were alive today, Sister Thea would still be preaching her inspiring message about peace, love, and giving. Docudrama by Tanshanita.

Teaching and worshiping about world peace was Sister Thea Bowman’s life goal, and she achieved that with love in her heart and selfless giving. Interview by Tanshanita.

For a woman who grew up poor, she couldn't have turned out any richer … in spirit. With the will power to want to change and set straight what is right for the goodness of not only our community, but injustice anywhere, we honor June Kjome. She was a dedicated nurse and longtime activist who spent 19 years in South Africa treating the sick and needy. For over 40 years, June Kjome has been hard at work on streets and in offices protesting and participating in marches, which shows her over...

June is an activist that is extremely focused on human rights. She was a nurse in La Crosse and in South Africa. View interview by Isaiah.

Sister Marie Leon La Croix is a woman who has dedicated her life to making sure everyone has access to theater. She envisioned a wonderful, top notch Fine Arts Center that could offer various experiences to the residents of La Crosse. Starting with a dream, we got even more after Sister Marie was asked to start a Fine Arts Department at Viterbo University, which educates students and theatre patrons. When asked about which lessons teens could learn from her, Sister Marie responded, “If you...

Sister Marie Leon LaCroix started the cherished and engaging theater program at Viterbo. View interview by Heather.

A local creator specializing in pottery, Marti is active in the local art community. View interview by Mariah.

A local creator specializing in pottery, Marti is active in the local art community. View interview by Mariah.

Beth Vacek was an outstanding basketball player at Viterbo University. She has worked hard to achieve her goals, and over the span of her athletic career, she has won high school basketball championships, set records for Viterbo University basketball, and immortalized on the Viterbo’s “Wall of Fame.” Besides athletics, Beth is a U.S. military veteran who served in Iraq. View docudrama by Cody.

Beth was inspired by 9-11 to volunteer her service in Iraq. She also coaches basketball, and was a head coach for the Viterbo V-Hawks. View interview by Cody.

Dorothy Wetterlin volunteers for a program called CASA, Court Appointed Security Advocate, which provides support for abused and abandoned children. After earning degrees in health education and biology, Dorothy extended her education to a master’s degree in counseling. She passionately contributes her expertise of health education by volunteering, public speaking, and publishing. View docudrama by Dallas.

Dorothy oversees the care of children who are abused or abandoned and has authored a manual for Gunderson Lutheran Hospital and partners with church organizations and other non-profit groups in La Crosse for the betterment of our children. View interview by Dallas.

Dorothy was a very special woman who lived to be 100 years old. Dorothy journeyed all around the world and made friends in many countries. View interview by Kersten.

Dorothy was a very special woman who lived to be 100 years old. Dorothy journeyed all around the world and made friends in many countries. View interview by Kersten.

During a dangerous time in Southeast Asia, Maomoua Vue was born in Mongcha, Laos. Her family fled to Thailand to escape the hazards of the Vietnam War. Through the jungle and across the river, they hid and ran. Finally, her unforgettable journey led to the United States and moving to Wisconsin with her family. Amazingly, Maomoua learned English quickly and became an interpreter, but she was determined to do more and saw an opportunity to educate the Hmong community. She graduated from Viterbo...

Maomoua is the first Hmong licensed dietician in Wisconsin and among a select group in the United States. View interview by Hai.

Judy Bouffleur is the kind of person that is willing to give back to her community. Whether it be volunteering or playing piano, Judy is dedicated to sharing her gifts with the children and residents of La Crosse. She serves as a volunteer at the public library, the local public schools, the children’s museum, Oktoberfest, and many more charitable organizations. We are very thankful for all the gifts that Judy Bouffleur shares with our community. View docudrama by Sam.

Starting the giving tradition as a child, Judy continutes to give freely of her time and energy as an uplifting volunteer in our community. View interview by Sam.

Starting the giving tradition as a child, Judy continutes to give freely of her time and energy as an uplifting volunteer in our community. View interview by Sam.

Not only has Ann Quinlisk dedicated more than 20 years to the prevention of domestic violence, she has made our whole community a healthier place to live by sharing her expertise and compassion for the well-being of women and children. The Domestic Violence Intervention Program is a free service provided to residents of La Crosse County. Ann says she doesn’t need a plaque or a framed certificate to honor her years of devotion to battered women and children. Instead, her awards are the many...

Ann Quinlisk is an amazing woman who has given back to our community in many ways with either her dedicated actions in domestic violence or sharing her motivational views on life. View interview by Heather.

Dorothy Dedo was Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy, founder of the Community Theatre in La Crosse, and many other amazing accomplishments in politics. She has not only impacted La Crosse’s future but also affected what lays ahead for the entire country. View docudrama by Mitchell.

Dorothy Dedo was Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy, founder of the Community Theatre in La Crosse, and many other amazing accomplishments in politics. She has not only impacted La Crosse’s future but also affected what lays ahead for the entire country. View interview by Mitchell.