Since 1964, The Wauwatosa Distinguished Citizen Award Council has honored the people who have made significant voluntary contributions to community life in Wauwatosa to make this city such a great place to live. Leaders in our school systems, fire and police services, civic, business, neighborhoods, community services, and historic preservation have been honored over the years for their selfless dedication to making a difference in everyone's life who lives in and around Wauwatosa.
The Wauwatosa Distinguished Citizen Award Council is pleased to announce Katherine Riebe as Wauwatosa's 2025 Distinguished Citizen of the year.
Katherine's commitment to Wauwatosa is extraordinary and broadly known. Beyond her significant hours of volunteerism, she also is a community bridge-builder creating trust and relationships with people from all backgrounds. She exemplifies humility, looks out for others and gets things done. Here is a brief outline of some of the ways she has contributed to improving Wauwatosa: dedicated school volunteer for over a decade and PTA VP at both Whitman and West; advocated for equity advocates in every Tosa school; served on the district equity leadership team helping to write the first and second district equity plans; advocated for the Black Literature class and broad district commitment to inclusion; member of RACE, the first parent support group for parents of Black and Brown students; long-time partner with the Wauwatosa Public Library sharing culturally diverse programming; volunteer with the Wauwatosa Health Department for nearly a decade and current member of the Board of Health; founder and leader of the Wauwatosa Black History Month Celebration (2017–2026); key leader in the Tosa Talks series on anti-racism efforts; co-leader of a civil dialogue series aimed at bringing together people with diverse perspectives; early member and leader of Tosa Together; and appointed member of the Wauwatosa Sustainability Committee since 2022, now in her third term helping guide the City's environmental plan.
The public is invited to recognize this dedicated, compassionate, and visionary community leader as the Wauwatosa 2025 Distinguished Citizen and thank her for making Wauwatosa a better place to live, work, play, and raise a family. Please join other community members, family, and friends on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at the Blue Mound Golf and Country Club for the official Wauwatosa 2025 Distinguished Citizen Award Banquet and Ceremony. The reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. (cash bar) and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Cocktail attire requested; kindly no jeans.
RSVP to the Event
Reservation Deadline is Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Reservations are $90.00 per person.
Reservations may be made in person at: Wauwatosa City Clerk's Office, 7725 W. North Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 53213 from 8 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. (checks only – no charge cards)
Reservations by Mail: Mailing a check (with names of people attending) payable to: Wauwatosa Distinguished Citizen Award Council c/o WDCAC President, 7527 W. Wright Street, Wauwatosa, WI 53213
Banquet reservation information can be found on the City's website at: Distinguished Citizen Award
Any dietary restrictions should be addressed with the Blue Mound Golf and Country Club directly.
Questions: Laura Kirklewski (414-587-9938)
