As Time Goes By

Wisconsin Historical Foundation Board of Directors member reflects on those who have guided her mindset of service 

Terri Richards still remembers her first time seeing the Wisconsin Historical Society's collections up close. When she joined the Wisconsin Historical Foundation Board of Directors in 2014, she received a tour of the Society's archives where she came face to face with the script from Casablanca, a favorite film of hers and her late husband Ron’s. Thinking back to seeing the pages lined with powerful dialogue, Richards reflected on how personally important this piece of history was to her. She also thought about the curator's wisdom to acquire and preserve the script, which had given Richards and others the chance to view an item that “reflects the human experience,” as she says. It is a kind of wisdom that serves the people of Wisconsin and beyond by collecting, preserving and sharing their history. This mindset of service has guided Richards’ career and involvement with the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Wisconsin Historical Foundation. 

A Career of Service 

In fact, Richards comes from a family with a mindset of service. “My mother and grandmother [dad's mom] were nurses as were three of my mother's sisters. My interest in nursing as a profession was guided by these important women in my life. They helped me understand service and care for others.”  

Richards received her undergraduate degree in nursing from Viterbo University in La Crosse and returned to school while she was working at St Joseph's Hospital (SJH) in Marshfield to receive her Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota.  

She then worked as a staff nurse at SJH which was part of the Ascension Health System. During her time at SJH, she held a variety of leadership roles including Nurse Manager and Director of Nursing, progressing to the role of Executive Vice President. In 2010, she transitioned from a leadership role at SJH in Marshfield to a leadership role in Strategy and Business Development at the Ascension Corporate headquarters in Milwaukee. Throughout Richards' career she has worked to “understand values and how these are shaped by the people around you.” 

Service to Build a Strong Future 

Richards translated her service mindset and ability to create values-based goals to her involvement with the Wisconsin Historical Foundation Board of Directors. Richards served on the Foundation board from 2014 through 2023 and as the Chair of the Wisconsin Historical Foundation from 2019 through 2022. Now living in Duluth, Minnesota, Richards is an emeritus director of the Foundation board.    

“As a former board member and chair of the Foundation, I have had the opportunity to work with the talented staff and leaders of the Wisconsin Historical Society and Foundation. I know that they are all worth the investment of time, talent and financial contributions. It is an honor to be part of the Foundation board and continuing member of the Society.” 

Beyond the talent of its staff and leaders, Richards connected with the mission of the board.    

“Before I was invited to join the board, I met with Society and Foundation leadership to understand the Society and Foundation’s mission, vision and operational structures. The mission and purpose of the Society and Foundation was important and aligned with my interest. The leadership...was also strong with a focus on service and building a strong future. The Foundation board has a true sense of mission and an understanding of its fiduciary responsibilities in service to our donors and to the Society.”

Values that Live On 

Richards has extended her involvement by making the generous decision to include the Society in her estate plan.  

“The Wisconsin Historical Society is a strong organization with a strong leadership team who has a vision for the future. It is an organization whose mission is to serve the state of Wisconsin, and they deliver on that mission with trust, integrity and purpose.” 

A planned gift to support the Society ensures that the mission and values of Richards’ life will live into the future and make a difference in lives of Wisconsin residents and throughout the country.  

Why is the Society and its mission important personally important to Richards? “The Society is an organization that touches the lives of many people in a positive fashion. Understanding our history and the context of that history helps us make a better future.” 

Collections of Core Values  

Understanding the context of history through the Society’s collection of items that reflect the human experience has always meant a lot to Richards. 

She points out that similar to the Casablanca script, (the skill is) “knowing what to collect in the present day that will be important to preserve for the future.” For example, Richards has also viewed the Society’s collection of key documents from the 1964 Freedom Summer Project, a nonviolent effort by activists of the Civil Rights Movement to integrate Mississippi's segregated political system.  

These records of approximately 78 documents were created from late 1963 through early 1965 by staff of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the Congress of Racial Equality, the Council of Federated Organizations, local Black residents, northern white volunteers, and segregationist opponents of the project.  

Richards notes that in addition to the documents themselves, the wisdom to preserve them demonstrates a core value of the Society. “Each collection represents a core value . . . The Society is an organization that serves the citizens of Wisconsin and beyond. I know that they can make a difference which is why I can make a difference in supporting their continued excellent work.”