Recipients named for Plowshare's Peacebuilder Awards in Waukesha

Sally Michalko
Along with the SOPHIA group, a county-wide interfaith organization, Bud and Sara Hudson were honored as the first recipients of the Kate Delaney Jolin Peacebuilder Awards during Plowshare’s 25th anniversary dinner. Four more distinguished representatives will be honored with Peacebuilding Awards at Plowshare’s anniversary celebration on March 11.
Published on: 2/22/2016

The Plowshare Center, a nonprofit fair-trade marketplace in Waukesha, will honor four representatives who work toward protecting public health, the environment and those less fortunate.

The 2016 recipients of the Peacebuilder Awards are Margaret (Peggy) Brown, Karen Fiedler, the Waukesha County Green Team and St. Luke's Lutheran Church.

The awards will be presented at Plowshare's 27th anniversary celebration and the organization's third annual Peacebuilder Award celebration, Friday, March 11, at the Stackner Ballroom in the Carroll University Campus Center, 101 N. East Ave., Waukesha. The event begins at 5 p.m. with a silent auction, cash bar and music by the Waukesha String Académie. A Mediterranean buffet at 6:15 p.m. precedes the awards presentation at 7:30 p.m.

The cost per ticket is $50, half which is a charitable donation to Plowshare. Ticket sales end Friday, Feb. 26.

Award winner backgrounds

Brown is the clinic manager of St. Joseph's Medical Clinic in Waukesha. In her 40-year career, she has provided direct care services and health education to the homeless, victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, individuals with high risk pregnancies, geriatric patients and patients with disabilities. She has also worked with numerous public health agencies and colleges developing training, education and outreach programs to enhance health care services to underserved populations.

Fiedler, formerly the recycling coordinator and solid waste supervisor for Waukesha County, was instrumental in working with community groups and government bodies to make widespread and effective recycling a reality in Waukesha County beginning in the 1980s. She retired in 2012.

The Waukesha County Green Team is a voluntary, grassroots organization of county residents who promote environmental awareness and sustainable environmental practices in the county. Since its founding in 2008, the Green Team has forged collaborative working relationships between various organizations, businesses, communities, schools and individuals to address local environmental concerns and to educate the community on ways to preserve the environment.

St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Waukesha has engaged in collaborations with The Women's Center, SOPHIA, Common Ground, The Hope Center and The Salvation Army to provide food, materials and services to individuals and families in need. The church has also provided financial and hands-on assistance to challenged communities around the nation and in Africa.

Award genesis

The Peacebuilder Awards are tied to Kate Delaney Jolin, a peace and social justice advocate and Plowshare co-founder.

It is presented annually to groups and individuals in southeastern Wisconsin who make significant contributions toward promoting understanding and cooperation among people from diverse ethnic, religious, racial and/or socioeconomic backgrounds.

Plowshare's retail location is at 219 W. Main St. in downtown Waukesha.