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Two FdL women to be honored at annual awards event

Fond du Lac's Virginia Gilmore and Mary Fran Merwin will be honored by the Women's Fund of the Fond du Lac Area Foundation during its annual luncheon on April 7.

The two women are being recognized for their visionary thinking, entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, philanthropy and tireless efforts "which have made a significant difference or greatly enhanced the quality of life in our community," according to a press release.

Gilmore and Merwin will receive "Women of Achievement" awards.

Past recipients include Ruth Michels, Dr. Joan Regan, the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Agnes and Shelley Stayer.

According to the press release:

Virginia Gilmore

Born and raised in Chilton, Gilmore received a bachelor's degree from Marian University in spirituality and leadership. In addition, she has advanced training in dialogue and compassionate listening. She married Jim Gilmore in 2005 and continues to be an active volunteer in the Fond du Lac area.

Gilmore spent 17 years of her professional life in her fourth-generation business, Kaytee Products Inc., where — working together with her father and two brothers — the family grew the Chilton company into the No. 1 brand of bird food in the country.During her tenure at Kaytee, she served as vice president of sales and later as vice president of customer relations.

After the sale of the company and her ensuing retirement, Gilmore began promoting the leadership principles associated with Robert Greenleaf and Servant Leadership. She co-founded the Center for Spirituality and Leadership at Marian University.

In 2002, Gilmore founded the Sophia Foundation Inc. at the Fond du Lac Area Foundation. The Sophia Foundation has already awarded more than $500,000 in grants to support issues relating to the healing of the vulnerable issues of women and children. Gilmore has been involved in establishing and supporting Opening of the Heart and Compassionate Listening, Teen Talking Circles, the Collaborative Community Response Against Violence, the founding of the Women's Fund of the Fond du Lac Area Foundation, the April 17 Servant Leadership Breakfast, and a national pilot program for Servant Leadership Learning Circles.

Gilmore has received numerous community awards for her volunteer work. Among them are the 2002 Leader of the Year Award from the Wisconsin Leadership Institute, 2005 Cheers for Volunteers Spirit of Compassion Award, 2005 Fond du Lac Area Foundation Legacy Award, the 2006 George Becker Business Spirit Award, 2007 Those Who Care About Domestic Violence Award and was named a Paul Harris Rotary Fellow in 2008.

Mary Fran Merwin

Merwin was born and raised with her eight siblings in Chicago. She is married to Gary Merwin, owner of Merwin Oil Co.

She received her bachelor's degree in French from Edgewood College in Madison and her master's degree in educational leadership from Marian University. She is working toward a doctorate in educational leadership through Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee.

Merwin began her educational career in the late 1980s as a substitute teacher, which led her to a French teaching position at Theisen Junior High. She later became the assistant principal of Goodrich High School and most recently, the head principal at Fond du Lac High School, retiring in 2008.

Her love of children led her naturally to her field. Merwin has always felt that children need more adults who appreciate them, respect them and treat them well. She always saw herself as a true public servant and responded to needs of the students, families, staff and community she served, according to the news release.

Merwin always opened her heart and office to her students and gave them the gift of her time and listening ear. She is committed to creating a Fond du Lac community of strong and successful young women today, and supporting strong and successful women of tomorrow, according to the news release.