Jane Winans is an educator, community builder, and advocate whose days have been
guided by a lifelong commitment to helping individuals, families, and communities. With
a B.A. in Business from Marquette University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from
National Louis University, she has served as a teacher, client services manager,
volunteer and program coordinator, and project specialist. Across all these roles, she
has focused on empowering individuals, building relationships, and bringing people
together around a shared purpose.
Jane is a mother of three, including her daughter Lydia who has special needs. In 2011,
Jane co-founded Down Syndrome OPTIONs, contributing to efforts to empower
individuals with Down syndrome and their families. She also spearheaded the
Manitowoc Community Built Playground to create a fully accessible playground. Today,
she serves on the fundraising committee for the Rotary Park All-Inclusive Playground.
Jane is grateful to Jenne Hohn for the invitation to join this great cause for a great
community.
Lydia Winans is a writer, speaker, and advocate who believes everyone deserves a
place to play, belong, and contribute to their community. She has been public speaking
since age 10, worked at the Manitowoc Pool at 16, served as a full-time camp counselor
at Camp Tekakwitha in Shawano, Wisconsin, supporting campers during their week-
long overnight stays, and was hired as a crew leader to welcome incoming freshmen
while at Concordia College. She has taken classes in Human Services and Social
Justice at MATC to better understand how to support others and turn ideas into action.
Lydia is passionately involved at Islands of Brilliance, where she created a website to
house her writing and continues to develop her writing prowess.
You can often find Lydia in Cedarburg enjoying summer sounds or getting coffee with
her friends, attending Blossom events, volunteering with Mel's Charity, or being a
hostess at the Stilt House.
Lydia joined the Rotary playground's fundraising committee to help ensure everyone has a
place to play and belong. She is delighted to be with you today.