The Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee will host a "Rad Women Celebration" featuring Kate Schatz, who is the author of The New York Times bestselling book "Rad American Women A-Z," along with a diverse group of equally-as-rad local women.

The event takes place on Thursday, Oct. 20 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Italian Conference Center, 631 E. Chicago St. Sponsors include BMO Harris Bank, Johnson Bank, Johnson Controls and Quarles & Brady.

Schatz’s book, which is illustrated by Miriam Klein Stahl, showcases famous and unsung American heroines. As an A-Z book, it is compiled alphabetically – "A is for Angela Davis" and "B is for Billie Jean King" and so on. The list of great women spans several centuries and multiple professions from scientists to rock stars.

During the event, Schatz will share what it means to be "rad" and "radical," and offer suggestions for how women can incorporate radness into their lives.

Margaret Henningsen is the executive director of The Woman’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee and she describes radness as "a woman who is absolutely not afraid to challenge ‘the way it’s always been.’"

At the event, the Women’s Fund will recognize "Rad Milwaukee Women" who have been nominated by event sponsors. All of the women will be role models with accomplishments in nontraditional areas who provide inspiration, achieved success despite odds, stand up for what they believe in and advocate for others.

Sponsorships and tables are currently available. Individual tickets are $100 and will be available in late summer. For more information, please contact the Women’s Fund at (414) 290-7350 or visit the website at womensfundmke.org.

The event benefits the Women’s Fund which is dedicated to harnessing women’s philanthropic and leadership power to create a world that is just and fair. The organization’s current grant making exceeds $3 million in support of women- and girls-led social change initiatives.

Every fall for the past 27 years, the Women’s Fund has hosted an event focusing on women and girls.

"Over the years, the event has shed light on the importance of women’s political leadership as a critical strategy for closing the gap," says Henningsen. "We also encourage and enable economic empowerment, focus on the abuse, disrespect, harassment, discrimination and violence against women and girls and encourage political reform to eliminate barriers against women and girls."

Now that's rad.

Stay tuned for a weekly series of "Rad Milwaukee Women" starting next week on OnMilwaukee that will introduce the nominated women.