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Edna S. Christensen 1899 – 1988

In late April of 1937, the newly-elected mayor of Racine, Roy Spencer, gathered together a group of community leaders, largely drawn from business, industry and labor circles. At that meeting the Goodwill Committee was formed, consisting of 25 men and one woman, Edna Christensen.

Christensen held the position of secretary for 30 years (1937 – 1967). In 1952, she took on the added responsibility of treasurer.

The city of Racine employed Christensen as manager of Memorial Hall for 19 years. At the same time, she was secretary/treasurer of Horlick Athletic Field. From 1944 to 1947 she served as business manager of the Racine Belles of the All-American Girls Baseball League.

Having studied dance under Jesse Walters Northrup, Christensen later owned her own dance studio in Racine. She served as president of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters from 1946 to 1955 and later became its secretary/treasurer.

Since 1978, the Edna Christensen trophy has been awarded to one of the top three floats entered in the Non-Industrial Division.

Past Winners
Year Winner
1978 St. Mary's Medical Center Auxilary
1979 Dudes and Dolls
1980 Racine Shrine Club
1981 Racine County Youth Sports
1982 Girl Scouts of Racine County
1983 Dudes and Dolls
1984 Cub Scouts Pack #257
1985 Walden III High School
1986 Racine Area Soap Box Derby
1987 Cub Scouts Pack #108-Boy Scouts #161
1988 Boy Scout Troop #242
1989 Girl Scouts of Racine County
1990 Society of Young Magicians
1991 Boy Scout Troop #242
1992 Kenosha County Ice Arena
1993 Labor Float Committee
1994 Hugs and Kisses
1995 Tucker 4-H Club
1996 Lee's Flowers
1997 Knight's of Columbus
1998 Jerstad Agerholm P.T.A
1999 All Saints Healthcare
2000 St. Joseph's Church
2001 All Saints Healthcare
2002 Century 21-Savaglio & Cape
2003 Not Awarded
2004 Tucker 4-H Club
2005 Racine Art Museum
2006 Friends of Wind Point Lighthouse
2007 Trinity Lutheran Church & School
2008 Lincoln Luthern
2009 Penguin Players
2010 Trinity Lutheran Church