Virginia and Perry Henderson and Women in Focus Blazed a Trail for Young People in Madison

by Ayelen Flores and Jules DaCosta, Simpson Street Free Press

Women in Focus is a well-known and respected local organization. The annual “I Have a Dream” Ball is a beloved tradition in Madison. The event has funded college scholarships and various other education programs for 40 years. As in past years, Simpson Street students volunteered at this year's "I Have a Dream" Ball. We can report that everyone had a great time supporting the cause of education.

Today, the work of Women in Focus and the “I Have a Dream” Ball are well-known in Madison. But it wasn’t always that way. Through many twists and turns, a small but devoted group of local women turned an idea into a cause. The result was, and still is, tangible financial support for local college-bound students.

Dr. Virginia Henderson was a founding member of Women in Focus. She sometimes chaired and always volunteered for the “I Have a Dream” Ball and was active in the organization’s work. She was president of Women in Focus in 1984-85. Virginia worked for the Madison school district and continued to be active in our schools after she retired. The former Glendale Elementary School on the city’s southeast side is now named for Virginia Henderson.

Dr. Perry Henderson led the joint perinatal medicine program between Madison General Hospital (now UnityPoint Meriter Hospital) and the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. He was on university faculty as Professor, was President of the Perinatal Foundation. He delivered over 3,000 babies during his medical career.

Together, Virginia and Perry Henderson supported many local education programs. Virginia helped found the African American Ethnic Academy and both Virginia and Perry served on the board at Simpson Street Free Press. While they never sought attention, the couple was recognized many times for their generosity and volunteerism. Both the Dane County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award and Urban League Whitney M. Young Award have highlighted their service to our community.

Perry and Virginia Henderson were also active members of Madison Rotary Club and traveled abroad to support the work of the Rotary International Foundation. They were well-known philanthropists in Dane County and volunteered their time for several organizations. In addition to supporting scholarships through Women in Focus, they also established a Rotary scholarship for graduating seniors.

More that 450 local young people have received Women in Focus scholarships since 1986. And the idea of an “I Have a Dream” ball proved to be a lasting success. Forty years ago, Virginia and Perry Henderson were among a group of dedicated people who decided to make a lasting difference.

Over the years people like Verona Morgan, Edith Hillard, Rose Mary Jackson, Gloria Jones-Bey, Audrey Gilliam, Sally Hestad, Rose Ann Brown and many others guided the work of Women in Focus. From the beginning, the group’s focus was literacy and education. Their members read to children in waiting rooms at local clinics and raised money to buy and distribute children’s books. And of course, through the years, they organized the “I Have a Dream” Ball.

It seems fitting that Virginia and Perry Henderson always supported the cause of Women in Focus. “Drs. Virginia and Perry Henderson were a power couple in Madison. They were so well respected and did so much good for the community that they were like Madison royalty” says Sally Hestad, a 20-year member of Women in Focus.

A good cause with good results requires lots of good people. For 40 years, this good cause has resulted in scholarships for young people like us. It’s important to remember the history. So to us, it seems important to remember that Dr. King’s dream lives on today and that people like Virginia and Perry Henderson and the volunteers of Women in Focus blazed a trail for us to follow.

Women in Focus will soon pass the $1,000,000 mark in scholarships awarded. To help celebrate this milestone, and celebrate Virginia and Perry Henderson, Women in Focus encourages its supporters to contribute to the scholarship fund at www.womeninfocus.com. Thank you for supporting this cherished Madison tradition and for helping local young people achieve their college dreams.

[Sources: Madison.com; The Capital Times; Madison365; Madison Rotary Club; Simpson Street Free Press Archives]