Bowman, Fernandez named to state council

The Wisconsin Women’s Council has announced that Dr. Jolene Bowman and Rachel Fernandez have been appointed by Gov. Tony Evers to the Wisconsin Women’s Council Board.

Dr. Jolene Bowman, of Bowler, is a citizen of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians and vice president of the tribal council. Bowman is the director of education and career services for the tribe, where she has served for 14 years, with over 29 years of tribal work experience. In addition, she is serving a second term on the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) Board of Directors, and the Wisconsin Indian Education Association representing the Central Region and the Wisconsin Tribal Education Directors Association.

Bowman has a passion to serve others in the capacity of cultivating academic and career mindsets for a sustainable future from pre-K through higher education.

Rachel Fernandez, of Neopit, is a member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and a tribal legislator. Fernandez is the executive director of Maeqtekuahkihkiw Metaemohsak, Inc., Woodland Women, which she describes as a wonderful group of women rooted in cultural advocacy and way of life teachings. The organization promotes healing and spiritual growth through traditional teachings and unity.

Fernandez is a cultural advocate, activist, organizer, and artist, dedicated to making a difference in her community with awareness, outreach, cultural advocacy and prevention on issues that affect the community and environment through cultural care and land-based teachings.

Bowman and Fernandez are both members of the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force.

“Dr. Bowman and Ms. Fernandez bring with them valuable expertise and unique perspectives, as well as their leadership as tribal legislators, that will help shape the council’s core work to reduce barriers to women’s social and economic participation,” said Patty Cadorin, women’s council chairwoman. “The addition of these leading voices from Wisconsin’s indigenous communities supports our mission as a council for all Wisconsin women.”

The women’s council is Wisconsin’s statutory commission on the status of women and girls. The council promotes initiatives that empower women, serves as a clearinghouse for information on programs and resources, provides research and advocacy, and promotes unique partnerships to address barriers and inequalities affecting Wisconsin women. The council operates under the guidance of a 15-member board appointed by the governor and legislative leaders.