[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 18, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1610-E1611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO PAULA PENEBAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 18, 2019

  Ms. MOORE. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the career and 
ongoing legacy of Milwaukee's own Paula Penebaker. Ms. Penebaker, the 
President & CEO of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of 
Southeast Wisconsin, is retiring on December 31, 2019.
  Paula enjoyed a successful career in the for-profit sector in the 
Management Systems Division at The Procter & Gamble Company and later 
with First Wisconsin Bank in Training & Development, departing as the 
Vice President & Diversity Manager, prior to joining YWCA. She decided 
to take her talents to the non-profit sector and joined YWCA as the 
Chief Human Resources and Facilities Officer in 1999. Five years later, 
she was appointed Executive Director and later designated the President 
& CEO of the agency.
  As the head of this prestigious organization, Paula was dedicated to 
eliminating racism and improving the lives of all women. Under her 
leadership, the YWCA strategically promoted and advanced racial 
justice, economic empowerment, and health and safety for women and 
girls of color. The programs offered included High School Equivalency 
Diploma and GED Preparation & Testing, Employment Readiness, Personal 
Financial Management, as well as resources and programs that created 
lasting and meaningful change to their clients.
  Even while performing her duties as President & CEO of the YWCA 
Southeast Wisconsin, Paula found time to serve on the board of 
directors for the Rotary Club of Milwaukee and Milwaukee World 
Festival, Inc., and as a member of the Milwaukee Alumnae Chapter of 
Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. and the Milwaukee Chapter of The Links 
Incorporated. She was also a trustee for the Public Policy Forum and 
Milwaukee County Federated Library System. Furthermore, her devotion 
and commitment to service has been recognized with awards from the 
Milwaukee Business Journal, Community Brainstorming Conference, North 
Central Service Club, the Medical College of Wisconsin, BizTimes, 
Professional Dimensions and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.
  Paula is a pioneer who has spent her life carrying a torch of justice 
to ignite and empower generations of women to fight back. She changed 
her career trajectory because she wanted to ensure that each day she 
was using all her might to fight and eliminate injustices toward women 
and people of color in this country, not for personal recognition.
  Madam Speaker, Paula Penebaker has made the 4th Congressional 
District, Wisconsin and the nation a better place. She is a staunch 
defender and advocate for justice, and I applaud her contributions. As 
she embarks upon a new chapter of her life, I know that her fight and 
quest for justice will not end.

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