Over the years, The Business Forum and The Business Forum Foundation have received numerous thank you's for the financial support we've provided to women. We have decided to begin sharing a sampling of these communications via our website, beginning with the following letter we received recently:

From Brooke Olson - 2001 Recipient
December 27, 2005

Dear Members of The Business Forum:

My name is Brooke Olson and in 2001 I was a recipient of a $3,000 TBF scholarship. Although it has been four years, I am writing this letter to express my sincere appreciation for giving me the opportunity to acquire an education.

Coming up with the money for my education was a huge challenge. I came from a single parent home and together my mother and I were determined to get through the up and coming four years of college. Without your generosity and support attending college seemed to be an unobtainable goal. So I thank you, all of you, for giving a young woman a head start in life.

I am proud to announce that I will be graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in December. I am now actively searching for a new career, supported by a major in Journalism, emphasis in Advertising, and a minor in Marketing. I hope to find a career in the Advertising industry where I can express my creativity.

Your organization has had a great impact on my life, as well as many others. Thank you for giving me an opportunity of a lifetime. The Business Forum is a great organization, and I commend all of you for being a part of it and making a difference.

Sincerely, Brooke Olson

From Karie Georgeson - 2004 Recipient
Dear Business Forum Members:

I was delighted to receive your invitation to the scholarship luncheon. Although I am disappointed that I won't be able to attend, I am happy to tell you the reason why. I am scheduled to work a 12 hour shift that day. It is with great pride that I tell you I am nearing the end of my third year of working full time as a Registered Nurse.

Thanks in part to the Business Forum; I was able to achieve my goal of obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from UW Madison in May of 2006. It is with sincere gratitude that I tell you how much your scholarship helped me in my journey.

Receiving the Judy Rose Scholarship came at just the right time for me. In 2004 I was making the transition from MATC graduate to UW Madison student. My day care costs and school expenses were increasing significantly with that transition. The generous scholarship I received enabled me to meet my financial obligations and make that transition successful.

It was an added bonus that you honored me with an additional scholarship in 2005. It enabled me to take summer school classes prior to my senior year; allowing me to graduate on time in May of 2006. Thank you again for the generosity of your organization. You truly are making a difference in womens lives.

I'd like to take a moment to tell you a little about my new career. I work in intermediate critical care at the William S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital.

I am very proud to be able to serve veterans in a capacity that I am passionate about. I am specializing in cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery and heart/lung transplant.

I also serve as my unit's representative on the Nursing Practice Council, the hospital's governing body for nursing practice and policy. I am a member of the Nursing Education Committee, a preceptor for MATC nursing students, a preceptor for new RNs starting on my floor and am one of my unit's charge nurses.

I eventually hope to return to school in the future and pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice at UW Madison. But for now I am focused on mastering my specialty and preparing my own children for their college careers.

In conclusion I would like to say that none of us reach our goals all by ourselves. There is always someone there giving us a helping hand, sometimes in ways we never imagined. The Business Forum did that for me. And I, in turn, strive to do that every day for my patients.

I am sending congratulations and warm wishes as you celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Business Forum. Thank you again.

Sincerely,
Karie Georgeson, RN, BSN

From Britny DeAnda - 2007 Recipient
The Business Forum scholarship jump started a seamless transition for me to enter UW-Madison. During my freshman year, I went on to find a scholarship/ internship through the Emma Bowen Foundation, which took care of tuition for the rest of my college career as well as provided me with a four-year, paid internship with Wisconsin Public Radio and Television. .

Last year, I also decided to pursue my ultimate dream of owning my own business, and though there are countless hours of hard work and sleep deprivation, I'm pleased with the success I've seen thus far, and I have no intention of slowing down anytime soon! .

I couldn't have done any of it without the Business Forum's support. They were the key that allowed me the privilege of opening doors for my future. .

Thank you for all that you have done, and I wish the best of luck to the new scholarship receipients.

Britny DeAnda.
Popsensation Productions

From Heidi Johnston - 2007 Recipient
Dear Business Forum members,

I can not thank you enough for everything you have done. Receiving this scholarship has been forever helpful. I have been so grateful for such generosity. I owe so much to you at the Business Forum. The best way of thanking you would be to keep working, be the best student I can and then maybe one day I can make you proud by becoming another awesome business woman, like you. I wll continue my junior year at Stout, keep working hard and be the best person I can be.

Thank you again,
Heidi Johnston

From Linda Reinhart - 2008 Recipient
To the Members of The Business Forum,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the generous scholarship that was awarded to me for the 2008-2009 academic year. With organizations like The Business Forum our goals can be met and achieved much easier. Educating and pursuing careers in our highly technical world takses time, dedication, support of family and friends, and money. Career opportunities can happen when we work together in the community to help each other; this is what The Business Forum has done for so many students who need financial assistance to make their goals come true. Your organization is outstanding and dedicated to doing just this. Thank you so much for lightening the load for my next academic year, I truly appreciate it. I look forward to the day when I can give back to others who begin their journey.

The Scholarship Luncheon at the Madison Club was wonderful. This was an excellent time for all of us to engage with professional women in our community who continue to reach their goals and share their experiences with others. They were an inspiration to all of us and outstanding role models.

I am extremely grateful to be a recipient for the year 2008-2009. Thank you again for everything and for making a difference in my life.

Sincerely, Linda Reinhart

From Palee Yang - 2008 Recipient
I want to thank The Business Forum for their generosity in funding the scholarship that I received this year. I feel very fortunate to have been chosen as a recipient of this award.

I can't wait to graduate from Sun Prairie High and start attending Madison Area Technical College for the Liberal Arts Transfer Program this fall. Though my major is undeclared, I will find my true desires through exploration and experiences that I will fnd in college.

As you may already know, I am currently working and saving for college. I will continue to do so, as well as apply for student loans to help finance my education. Your scholarship will help reduce the stress of my financial burden, which will allow me to focus more on my studies.

After college, I will use what I have learned to make a difference in people's lives, the same way you have made a difference in mine. Thanks to your organization's support, I will be the first in my family to atend a college.

I am very honored to receive this assistance from The Business Forum. Please pass on my appreciation to the rest of the committee.

Sincerely,
Palee Yang

The Business Forum, in turn, commends these and all of our recipients for their educational success!

From Ayesha Lamphear- 2009 Recipient
I know you are sitting in a room full of prominence and kind hearts and I would like to thank the representatives and sponsors of The Business Forum.

Courage does not always roar. Sometimes, it is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again." I am not looking to get my name in history books. I just want to be someone who can say, "I did it and so can you." I want these words to resonate with my son, with the girl down the street who started her family at the age of fifteen, or anyone who feels like the only option they have is to give up.

Now, more than ever, you hear about woman from all different walks of life, ethnicity and race stepping out and becoming successful.

Remember, the people that impact you the most are the ones you have personal interaction with. I want to be a role model, a relatable voice, even if just to one person, Furthering my education is not just about me. My success is for all those around me and those that will come after me.

Thank you.
Ayesha Lamphear