Angela P. Moore

1954 –

Born “colored,” raised “Negro,” growing up Black, and becoming African American, Angela Moore has witnessed and helped shape generations of change. Born in 1954, the year the U.S. Supreme Court declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, she attended an integrated school 14 years later, as the nation moved— “with all deliberate speed”—toward desegregation. Her life and work reflect a steadfast commitment to opportunity, equity, and community.

Her impact reaches from her home state of Virginia, where she advocated for Martin Luther King Jr. Day to become a federal holiday, to Beloit and Rock County, which she has long called home. The City of Beloit recognized her contributions during Women’s History Month.

From 1993 to 2009, Moore served as Executive Director and CEO of Girl Scouts Badger Council, supporting thousands of girls and adults across the Stateline Area. She became the first African American in the country to pass the national CEO Certification. Recognizing the need to better serve African American and Hispanic girls, she established The Circle of Diversity and worked to build a more diverse board, staff, and volunteer community.

Moore also helped lead a capital campaign that raised $1.2 million to build the Program Center at Big Hill Park. Still in use today as an Environmental Center, the building stands as a lasting contribution to the region. Under her leadership, the council achieved one of the nation’s highest service rates, with one in four girls participating. She was among the few leaders in the country to serve as director of both a Girl Scout council and a YWCA.

As Executive Director of YWCA Rock County from 2014 to 2021, Moore brought the annual Racial Justice Conference and Stand Against Racism to the community. The conference welcomed thousands of participants and reached its tenth year; Stand Against Racism expanded to sites in Beloit and Janesville. She partnered with the Elite Ladies to bring Juneteenth celebrations back to Beloit and created “You, Me and Our Colorful Community” to help children learn about diversity. She also served as one of ten advisors to the national CEO of the YWCA.

Her community service has included the NAACP; two terms on the City of Beloit Plan Commission; the Beloit and Rock County Health Departments; the Beloit Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; the Beloit Library Board of Trustees and Library Foundation Board; the Diversity Action Team; The Links; the Rock County Evidence-Based Decision-Making Committee; the League of Women Voters; the AALAC Advisory Committee to the Janesville Police Chief; and the Board of Trustees at Emmanuel Baptist Church, which she chaired.

Angela’s honors include the Girl Scouts’ national Thanks Badge and Thanks Badge II, the Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Award (twice), the Universities of Wisconsin Women of Color Award (twice), the Zonta Tribute to Women Award, and the Martin Luther King Award.

Through decades of leadership, advocacy, and service, Angela Moore has helped make Beloit and Rock County more inclusive and more vibrant. Her work has opened doors for women and girls, strengthened local institutions, and left a legacy worthy of recognition in the Beloit Historical Society Hall of Fame.