Inside ScoopSpring 2017 INSIDE SCOOP 10-13 Inside Scoop Committee AnnRene Braun 2016-2017 Inside Scoop Editor Whitney Carter 2016-2017 Inside Scoop Step-Up Editor Stephanie Butler Layout & Design

2016-2017 Board of Directors President Jen Bennett President-Elect Jen Johnson Board Assistant Amy Hill Bylaws Chair Erin Markowicz

Contents Director of Community Jessica Peltzer Step-Up Director of Community Jennifer Graves Director of Finance Katie Werner 5 Dir. of Fund Development Theresa Uchytil-Etler Director of Marketing Susan Moss Step-Up Director of Marketing Katie Minnis Director of Membership Felisha McDougald Director of Planning Kristen Yates Director of Sustainers Lisa Nickel Director of Training Colleen Goldblatt Nominating Chair Ericka Duker Executive Director Celeste Greenlee 17 2016-2017 Community Advisory Board Dr. Gary Baker, Director of Community Building Initiatives, UMKC Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership Gerry Brenneman, J.D., Shareholder, Polsinelli PC 14 JLKCMO’s 2016- Jeffrey Byrne, President and CEO, Jeffrey Byrne + Associates Community 2017 Annual Award Dr. Edward R. Christophersen, Professor of Pediatrics, 8-9 Introducing Winners Children’s Mercy Specialty Center JLKCMO’s Com- 15 Diversity & Inclusion Dr. Ann Davis, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of munity Advisory Board 16 Take Five & Holiday Kansas Medical Center 10–13 Signature Mart Recap Christa Dubill, News Anchor, NBC News Channel 41 (KSHB) Programming Update Kimiko Black Gilmore, Assistant City Manager, City of Kansas 17 Spring Sustainer City, MO 19 Update on the Zoo Meeting Recap , Kansas City Councilwoman, Kansas City, MO Learning Fund Jolie Justus 20-23 2016-2017 Donors Betty Keim, University of Kansas Hospital Authority Board of 24 Starr Women’s Hall Directors; Former Mayor, City of Mission Hills, KS In League of Fame – Shawsie Audrey Langworthy, Former Kansas State Senator, Junior League of KCMO Sustainer/Past President 4 New Community Branton Mary Thompson O’Connor, Senior Vice-President, Logistics, Placement Opportun- Country Club Bank ity for 2017-2018 Stacie Prosser, Publisher, Kansas City Business Journal League Year In Every Issue 5 C3 KC: Community – 3 President’s Letter 2016-2017 Agency Partners Corporate – Civic 25 By the Numbers Avenue of Life Sunflower House 5 Introducing the 25 Katie Gerson - Connections to Success Urban Neighborhood Oglebay Society Initiative Spotlight Kansas City Hospice/ 6 Legacy Fund – Major Solace House Women’s Employment 25 Tiny Juniors Network Milestone Achieved! MOCSA 27 Comings & Goings Women’s Foundation of 7 I Sustain the League Rose Brooks Center Greater KC Samuel Rodgers Health Center

2 Inside Scoop | Spring 2017 In Every Issue

President’s Letter ow, what a year! When I sat down to reflect on the 2016-2017 League year, I couldn’t get over the pride and satisfaction radiating from fellow League Wmembers as they close out another successful and productive year. It’s amazing to me how fast this year has flown by! I feel like I have blinked and our organization has accomplished many wonderful things in such a short period of time. Someone recently asked what I will miss most about serving as President. For me, it’s the “being in the know.” As President, I had the opportunity to see the projects our members are creating from the very beginning stages. I was also in a position to listen to our members about what the League means to them, and gain their input on steps we can take to increase our impact. These are just a few of the countless reasons this last year has been the most rewarding of my League experience. While I learned a lot, the League accomplished even more. The following are among the amazing highlights from this year: • Introduction of a New Community Advisory Board • Legacy Fund hitting its million dollar corpus goal • Creating new and exciting placement options for the 2017-2018 League year • Providing $18,557 and 33 volunteers to the community via our Community Volunteers and Grants process. • Providing $69,000 and 79 volunteers to the community via our Signature Programs. • Launching our new public and member websites • Supporting a New Member Class of 141 amazing women • Producing the new Inside Scoop Community Edition, to have a forum to educate the community on the JLKCMO While these are each something to celebrate, they only scratch the surface of the many projects our League accomplished over the last year (really, I could go on and on about all of it!). I am beyond proud of our membership and I am so honored to have had this opportunity to serve as President, to develop myself and become a stronger community leader watching and working with this amazing group of women. It has been a pleasure to serve the League and the Kansas City community with a group of amazing women on the Junior League of Kansas City Board of Directors this year — their passion and leadership is truly impressive. I am thankful to the hardworking staff at headquarters and all their support during the year as we’ve worked as a team, particularly as we faced new challenges and rose above them each and every time. In closing, I am proud to be a member of such an outstanding organization and I look forward to continuing to serve the League in my new role as a Sustainer. I am thrilled to see what the incoming Board of Directors and President Jen Johnson will accomplish in the next year. I encourage each one of you to take this golden opportunity to promote what we do, to treasure that you are developing as a woman and a leader and to improve our community by being someone’s angel. We are a sisterhood of women who have, are, and will continue to be leaders chosen to positively impact our great city. Let our mission be a part of you.

Jen Bennett 2016-2017 President

jlkc.org | Spring 2017 3 New Community Placement Opportunity for 2017-2018 League Year

By Colleen Goldblatt he JLKCMO is proud of the women in our League who take their training from our organization into the Kansas City community to volunteer for other organizations. In fact, our Tmission says it best: we are an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and

In League leadership of trained volunteers. In order to support our members who seek and take on significant volunteer opportunities in our community, we are pleased to announce a Practicum Placement opportunity for the 2017-2018 League year. Any Active member of the JLKCMO who is taking on a significant volunteer role with a 501(c)(3) organization in the Kansas City area may apply to receive placement credit for her service to the outside organization. This placement would substitute for a traditional placement, and members would still need to complete all other member requirements during the League year. The Board of Directors reviews applications for the following criteria: • Volunteer roles should have a leadership component and require a significant time commitment • Some of all of the commitment must take place during the 2017-2018 League year • Role should make a direct impact in the Kansas City community In 2017-2018, we are pleased to have two JLKCMO members taking advantage of this opportunity. Amy Snively will leverage her League training as Vice President of American Royal Activities for the Belles of the American Royal (BOTAR), and Lindsay Weiss will lead two designer show houses for Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer. We are excited to see the great work from these two ladies this coming year! Members who are interested in this program for 2017-2018 or are considering opportunities for the 2018-2019 League year should contact Katherine Fowler, President Elect.

Proud Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri Member since 2006.

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4 Inside Scoop | Spring 2017 In League C3 KC: Community – Corporate – Civic

By Colleen Goldblatt ave the date for the Junior and consulting firm Libby Gill & League of Kansas City, Missouri’s Company. A sought-after international Snewest fundraiser, C3 KC, on speaker, Gill was also the PR/branding March 1, 2018. C3 KC is a leadership brain behind the launch of the Dr. conference that will bring together Phil Show. community nonprofit organizations, Gill is an expert in the challenges corporations, entrepreneurs and of constant change. As a bestselling civic leaders to analyze community author, Gill has shared her success problems and come up with engaging emerging challenges. strategies for implementing change and collaborative solutions utilizing on CNN, NPR, the Today Show, In collaboration with our keynote the strengths of all three segments in and in BusinessWeek, Time, The speaker, attendees may choose from shaping the future of our city. This New York Times, the Wall Street multiple breakout sessions presented framework is known as collective Journal and many more. Her by thought leaders. Be on the lookout impact. expertise will inspire and empower for more information, including the We are pleased to announce Libby attendees to shift their mindset on announcement of the location and Gill as our keynote speaker. After how change is implemented. Kansas breakout session topics! nearly twenty years in senior City is known for its community Join us as we leverage our knowledge leadership roles in communications engagement, philanthropy and and history to engage the community at media giants Universal, Sony entrepreneurship and every sector has in developing new ways of addressing and Turner Broadcasting, Gill is a role to play to ensure we continue to complex problems. now CEO of executive coaching come up with new solutions to address Introducing the Oglebay Society

By Jen Bennett Sandy Johnson was the first donor in a growing group he Junior League of Kansas of League members recognized in the Oglebay Society. City Missouri has established She recently spoke with Jen Bennett about the League Tthe Oglebay Society to and joining the Oglebay Society. recognize donors who have included What League experience still influences your life the JLKCMO in their estate plans. today? The opportunity to serve on the Board and Named for Mary Oglebay, one of our chair significant committees honed my skills so that I founding members and first president, could go out into the community and make an impact. the Oglebay Society ensures our There is a lot of respect out there for a “Junior League- legacy of fulfilling our mission with trained woman!” ongoing community impact. When did you decide to make a planned gift to the League and why? Please let us know if you have My husband and I sat down a little over a year ago to fine tune our estate included the League in your will or planning, and as a part of that, some decisions had to be made regarding estate plan so that we can express charitable contributions from the estate. We felt that it was important to our gratitude and welcome you as make sure our children know and respect the organizations which have a member of the Oglebay Society. been so important in both my husband’s and my life, and to make sure Members of the Oglebay Society will we were making our wishes known in supporting each of these important be recognized in the Annual Report institutions and organizations which helped “build” us. You could call it and at a special event. simply paying it forward. If you would like more information What would you say to others who are considering making a planned on how to include the League in your gift to the League? None of us know whether we have tomorrow, so estate plans, please contact Celeste make your wishes and priorities known now! Your family and heirs will Greenlee, Executive Director, at 816- thank you! 444-2112 or [email protected]. jlkc.org | Spring 2017 5 Legacy Fund – Major Milestone Achieved!

By Christy LaHood stablished during our 100th Anniversary year, the intent of the Legacy Fund is to ensure a strong future for the League by providing ongoing Efunding to create opportunities designed to develop the potential of our members and assist them in becoming effective community volunteers. During the 2016-2017 League year, the Legacy Fund reached a value of $1 million! This is a significant achievement because when the Legacy Fund was established as an endowment, $1 million was the threshold set to reach

In League before starting distributions. Reaching this milestone means we are one step closer to being able to use money towards its purpose. As an endowment, we will never touch the corpus of the fund (i.e., its value will always be $1 million or more). Distributions from the fund will come from investment gain, so we will have a continued ability to create opportunities for our members – for this generation, the next, and as many as we can imagine into the future. The Legacy Fund Committee has been established as a permanent committee, sitting on Finance Committee, and is made up of an equal number of actives and sustainers. They have been working the last two years to establish policies and procedures around spending the money once it is available. Members of the committee and our Board of Directors quickly recognized that there is probably not any one woman, or group of women, in this organization that has a handle on all the options available, or all the opportunities for development from which our members would benefit. For that reason, an application process has been established for any individual member, committee or council to make a request for funds. The committee envisions this will be an open-ended process, with no set deadlines for requests. This will allow the fund to remain flexible to our members’ needs at any given point in time and will allow us to potentially work outside of our standard League year calendar. Imagine being given a placement where you knew of an outside training class that would help you be successful. The Legacy Fund might be able to fund that. Or perhaps a committee or even our membership in general, would be served from hearing from a particular speaker. The Legacy Fund might support that. The committee will work to identify where the gaps between knowledge and skills are, and target requests that will address those gaps. The idea is to fund opportunities that will allow our members to become much-desired volunteers and leaders in the community – that is what the Legacy Fund is all about. We truly appreciate the support of our original donors – our Circle of Giving members – and all the women who have donated to the fund since its inception. We are excited about the ability this fund will have to enhance the member experience and help our organization continue to create relevant, effective volunteers in this century and beyond. We look forward to continuing to bring members on as donating members of the League and participating in special events. 6 Inside Scoop | Spring 2017 In League

I Sustain the League

By Lisa Nickel ast summer, when the Sustainer Council was setting priorities for the year, we started discussions about the value of League Sustainer membership. As a group of Ldedicated volunteers, the council members were able to easily make a list of reasons why we continue to support our organization. But, how do other members think about their membership? Why do they continue to pay their dues and remain members? How do they engage with the League today? How can we share their stories with other members? In what ways can we show our members how much we appreciate their continued commitment to our League? From these conversations, an idea was born. The I Sustain the League campaign “I sustain the League because I asks our members to share thoughts have seen the tremendous value about their membership. Feedback was solicited from eBlasts, a form in the dues Junior League trained volunteers packet, meetings and even a hashtag: bring to Community committees #isustaintheleague. The responses to the I Sustain the League campaign are heart- and boards. My continued warming and powerful. Each woman has support enables young leaders a story to tell about her involvement with our organization and the benefits she sees to receive that training.” from her membership. Responses have “I sustain the League – included friendships, civic involvement, to kindle and rekindle Katherine Schorgl interest groups, training, pride, loyalty and gratitude. Overwhelmingly, the friendships and to responses support our Mission and the engage and enjoy ability to pay it forward for new generations of women who are passionate about serving our community and developing the potential of women. The council looks bright minds and forward to sharing these responses with our Active members so they can appreciate passionate women.” the outstanding dedication and commitment of our Sustainer members. – Libby Blair

jlkc.org | Spring 2017 7 Introducing JLKCMO’s Community Advisory Board he Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri’s Community Advisory Board is a group selected for each member’s unique talent and expertise. Their role is to provide the TJunior League with advice and direction. We recently asked our Advisors why they support the League as a Community Advisor and how they prefer to spend their volunteer time. From the answers below, we have a group of passionate Advisors. The League is appreciative of the time and expertise the Community Advisors devote to the League.

Christa Dubill

Community News Anchor at NBC News Channel 41 KSHB I support the League because women finding time in their increasingly busy lives – doing powerful, important work – deserve the support. Especially from other busy working moms. I prefer to spend my volunteer time by learning. At every turn. Contributing in any way I might be of value. And helping magnify the League’s message when I can. Communities don’t thrive without organizations like the Junior League.

Gerry Brenneman Shareholder at Polsinelli PC I support the League because I have always admired the Junior League for the many great things it does for our community. The League is well-known for the high number of quality volunteer hours it devotes each year to worthy causes and I became a Community Advisor to be part of this great tradition.

Ann Davis, Ph. D., M.P.H. Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Kansas Medical Center I support the League because I have seen firsthand the difference that the women of the Junior League can make in the lives of families in Kansas City, and I am very excited to support that work in any way that I can. I prefer to spend my volunteer time by working with our team at the Center for Children’s Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition, which engages in two team volunteer activities per year. We have cooked meals for families who are staying at a local Ronald McDonald House, and packed snack backpacks at Harvesters. Even though we all give a lot to the community through our jobs, we definitely volunteer as well to support the families of Kansas City.

Jeffrey Byrne President and CEO of Jeffrey Byrne + Associates I support the League because I believe the Members of the Junior League provide a collective and individual service to the nonprofit sector in greater Kansas City, and I have known of their good work my entire life. It is exciting and an honor to be included with the members so that I can share my experience and talents to the members and those they serve. I prefer to spend my volunteer time by working at Jeffrey Byrne + Associates for the nonprofit sector and its causes. I enjoy serving and working with over twenty nonprofits through my business.

8 Inside Scoop | Spring 2017 Community Stacie Prosser Publisher at Kansas City Business Journal I support the League because I was completely unaware of all that the League does. In my initial meeting with Celeste Greenlee and Rachel Sexton I realized that the League and the women’s initiatives we have at the Kansas City Business Journal are aligned. I prefer to spend my volunteer time by serving on the hand and hearts auxiliary board benefitting Children’s Mercy. I’m also on the executive committee of JDRF, and became active in that organization after my son was diagnosed with Type1 diabetes. My heart lies with children’s and women’s organizations.

Kimiko Black Gilmore Assistant City Manager at City of Kansas City, Missouri I support the League because I am impressed by the mission of JLKCMO. It gives women an opportunity to focus their volunteer efforts on organizations and programs that truly make an impact. I prefer to spend my volunteer time volunteering on projects that are hands on. The closer that I am to the front line the more I feel that I have been able to help.

Gary Baker, Ph. D. Jolie Justus Mary Thompson Director of Community Kansas City O’Connor Building Initiatives at Councilwoman for the Senior Vice-President of UMKC Midwest Center City of Kansas City, Logistics at Country Club for Nonprofit Leadership Missouri Bank

The League would also like to send a big thank you to the following Community Advisors who recently completed their service:

Edward R. Betty Keim Audrey Langworthy Christophersen, M.D. Community Volunteer for JLKCMO Past President and Professor of Pediatrics the University of Kansas 1976-1977, Community at Children’s Mercy Hospital Authority Board Volunteer and Former Hospital of Directors and Former Kansas State Senator Mayor of Mission Hills

jlkc.org | Spring 2017 9 Signature Programming Update

HealthyLivingKC – Rachel Kabukala HealthyLivingKC is one of the five Signature Programs of the Junior League of Kansas City Missouri within our focus area of women and children. HealthyLivingKC collaborates with our community partner, the Urban Neighborhood Initiative, to host two health and wellness fairs each year which provide residents in underserved neighborhoods of our community with health screenings and wellness resources they may not have access to otherwise. In addition to the partnership with Urban Neighborhood Initiative, the fairs receive generous support from Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center and the Black Health Care Coalition. HealthyLivingKC has been promoted by Mayor Sly James, and we were fortunate to have Councilman Jermaine Reed come out to support us at our fall Health & Wellness Fair at DeLaSalle Education Center. We held our spring event, a Fun & Fitness Fair, at East Patrol Division Station where we provided the following: Community

Hope & Healing Kits – Susan Mize The League’s Hope and Healing Kits Signature Program provides welcome bags, also referred to as kits, to the moms and kids who check into the Rose Brooks Center. Each bag varies, but generally includes basic necessities and comfort items such as pajamas, clean socks and underwear, pillowcases with cartoon characters for the little ones, as well as personal items. This year our committee made 200 bags for moms and 150 bags for kids. We have had over 3,600 items donated to our kits and in all total we have provided over 6,000 items to the Rose Brooks Center. We also worked at the holiday store in December where individuals could donate items that the center could use for holiday gifts for the moms or kids. Our last event of the year was a Family Fun Day for the residents. We provided massages, a nail services, and a make your own salt scrub for moms; for the kids, a balloon artist, caricatures, magic show, games and snacks were available. L.E.A.P. for Kids – Diana Beckman The L.E.A.P. for Kids committee was formed in the 2015-2016 League year and stands for Learn, Educate, Advocate, Protect. In partnership with both the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA) and Sunflower House, the committee organizes valuable training sessions for various groups and organizations to raise awareness of child sexual abuse, provide strategies for prevention, and guide responsible reaction. Our goal is to raise awareness of child sexual abuse in Kansas City communities and beyond. Trainers from either MOCSA or Sunflower House present the information in a two-hour interactive video presentation followed by a Q&A session for interested parties, ranging from

10 Inside Scoop | Spring 2017 Community Parent-Teacher Organizations and colleges to local MOPS (Moms of Pre-Schoolers) groups. The L.E.A.P. committee’s role is to connect these community organizations to the trainers, provide details on the training and coordinate logistics. The League also funds the training, making it free of cost to the community groups. In its second year, the L.E.A.P. committee has successfully coordinated three community trainings. As this particular program is sunsetting, the League is making room for other opportunities to raise awareness about childhood abuse. Healthy U Family Meals – Robyn Wagner Healthy U Family Meals has had a great first year with the Boys & Girls Club of Kansas City, J&D Wagner unit. We average 15-20 families at each of our monthly Saturday lunches with most families having two or three children. Each family learns a cooking skill with a short activity, enjoys a meal with the League volunteers and is sent home with a large bag of healthy food to cook at home, including recipes. In April we focused on growing your own food and planting an herb for the kids to take home and care for this summer. May was our end of the year celebration and all participating families received a Junior League Kids in the Kitchen cookbook to take with them. May was also our first program at a second Boys & Girls club location, the Thornberry unit. We hosted a Cook with Your Mom event where we made avocado truffles and enjoyed a dinner to celebrate the moms for Mother’s Day. This was a great chance for the members at this club to see how much fun we have so they will be excited to join us next year as we expand our partnership to this second location!

KC Hospice Solace House – Lindsay Weiss Solace House at Kansas City Hospice is a grief counseling center supporting children, individuals and families who have lost a loved one. They provide opportunities to share, listen, learn and heal. Each League committee member co-facilitates a group of children divided by age, and leads them through an eight-week support group to help them process their grief. These children tug at their leaders’ heart strings so much; many of them have lost parents and siblings in unimaginable circumstances. Through creative play and discussion, League members provide a safe place for the children to share and a venue for them to get support from other kids experiencing the same feelings.

jlkc.org | Spring 2017 11 Avenue of Life – Jessica Allin It has been a busy and rewarding League year for the 10 women on the Avenue of Life committee! Under the leadership of Jessica Allin, committee chair, this group of women has provided hundreds of service hours, prepared thousands of freezer meals for families in need, and with the help of the entire League donated hundreds of basic clothing and toiletry items to families in crisis. Avenue of Life opened its doors in September 2014 and has organized 19 separate agencies working under its roof to carry out its mission: “To mobilize our community to equip and empower low- income individuals and families to be self- sustained and independent.” These services are greatly needed in this community,

Community as 25% of Kansas City, Kansas residents live under the poverty level, and 65% of the population are single mothers raising children. In addition to meal preparation, additional service projects have included sorting and organizing donations at the Avenue of Life building, assisting with a staff appreciation dinner, painting areas of the building, and wrapping Christmas presents for children served by Avenue of Life. This has been an amazing experience for all the women on this committee, and we have all appreciated the opportunities to make such a profound difference! Samuel L. Rodgers Health Clinic – Mary Melton The Samuel Rogers Pelican Club was established to provide education to new mothers during their pregnancy. Committee members held educational sessions with expectant moms on topics such as breast feeding, financial planning, child birth, infant care and CPR training. To conclude the program, the committee threw the moms a baby shower and gave presents, played games, enjoyed cake and let the moms shop for baby clothes collected during a GMM drive.

12 Inside Scoop | Spring 2017 Community Community Volunteers & Grants – Katie Lord Each year in June, the League holds an agency open house, inviting nonprofits from across the city representing diverse sectors. After carefully examining each agency application through site visits and a detailed review process, the following organizations were selected and confirmed by vote at the February 2017 GMM: • Jewish Family Services. New to the League, members will assist clients with personal grocery shopping, food demonstrations, work in the Jewish Family Services food pantry and educate clients on healthy choices. • Solace House. Back for a second year, Solace House committee members will provide food and activities for children and families attending grief counseling at two 8-week sessions throughout the year. • Happy Bottoms. Members will assist in the creation of educational materials, videos and monthly program development for a Potty Training Program Pilot for underserved mothers. • Lazarus Ministries. Members assist shoppers at the Lazarus Boutique, prepare and serve meals for Lazarus’s Table and assist with women’s emergency shelter activities. • Wayside Waifs. Members work with animals, read to children and adults with a companion animal, teach dog safety classes and lead community volunteer projects that directly impact animal wellbeing.

jlkc.org | Spring 2017 13 JLKCMO’s 2016-2017 Annual Award Winners ollowing the League’s tradition, President Jen Bennett had the pleasure of announcing this year’s annual award winners at the May General Membership F Meeting. A big CONGRATULATIONS to the following outstanding recipients of these coveted awards: Active of the Year: Nayelli Palazuelos- Advancing the Mission Award: Michelle Bowers Shekleton Committee of the Year: Legacy Leader of the Year: Robyn Wagner Fund Committee: Christy LaHood, Acey Active Achievement Award: Cat Boles Lampe, Barbara Luhrs, Jan Rowe, Abbey In League and Susan Mize Thomas, Caroline Wake and Leslie Whitaker Community Service Award: Jan Rowe Above and Beyond Award: Courtney Karr and Rachel Kabukala

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14 Inside Scoop | Spring 2017 In League Diversity & Inclusion

By Rachel Kabukala he Junior League reaches out to women of all races, religions and national origins, who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to Tvoluntarism. Our League currently numbers nearly 1,400 strong. We are women who work full-time, part-time and in the home; single women, married women and mothers. We are women who share diverse interests and backgrounds as well as a desire to improve our community through volunteer action and grant-making. While we have always strived to be a diverse organization of women, this League year we enhanced our commitment by creating an Ad Hoc Committee dedicated to diversity and inclusion. The Diversity & Inclusion Ad Hoc Committee is made up of both Sustaining and Active League members who expressed interest in the topic. In April 2016, Co-Chairs Deb Feder (Sustainer) and Rachel Kabukala (Active) met with President Jen Bennett to establish the tasks on which the Ad Hoc would focus: • Discussion: Membership discussions about diversity and inclusion relating to the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri. The intent is to host multiple small group discussions including New Members, Actives, JL360 participants and Sustainers. • Research: Collecting data on JLKC member demographics, as well as researching best practices in diversity and inclusion from other organizations in Kansas City and beyond. • Training: Opportunities for League members to participate in training relating to diversity and inclusion, including how to foster an environment where all members are welcomed and can flourish, as well as training on how to most effectively serve in diverse communities. In order to gain a broad understating of how our League’s members view our current commitment to diversity, the Ad Hoc Committee is focusing most of its efforts on leading discussions and listening sessions during this League year. Co-Chair Deb Feder trained the Diversity & Inclusion Ad Hoc Committee members to facilitate discussions at the November In-Home Meetings, and as a result nearly 300 women were engaged in answering the following questions: • What makes an organization diverse? • What does the League need to do to enhance its commitment to diversity and inclusion? • What obstacles or challenges stand in the way of this goal? • What concerns do you have about this initiative within the League? The Ad Hoc Committee is currently in the process of synthesizing these responses and will use the data when making recommendations to the Board regarding how to proceed with Diversity & Inclusion initiatives. Moving forward, the League will be seeking Sustainer responses to the questions above, and will determine next steps toward completion of the remaining tasks of research and training.

jlkc.org | Spring 2017 15 Take Five & Holiday Mart Recap

Take Five he sixth annual Take Five Tfundraising cocktail event was a great success! The League welcomed more than 350 attendees from across the Kansas City In League community. This year's event was hosted at Studio Dan Meiners and was an evening full of celebration for the impact Junior League has made in the Kansas City community. Featured prizes included Kendra Scott for a year, two round-trip tickets on Southwest Airlines, and sports packages from the Chiefs, Sporting KC, the Royals and the Kansas Speedway! Guests were entertained by Lost Wax while they enjoyed specialty cocktails and a wide selection of delicious food from local restaurants. The evening featured a whiskey tasting sponsored by Restless Spirits Distillery, more than 25 raffle packages, an exclusive silent auction, wine pull, photo booth and more. Later in the evening, patrons gathered for late night bites provided by Magnolia's on the Move and the exciting announcement of the $5,000 grand prize. Jenni Mitchell was this year’s big winner! The Take Five 2017 chairs, Chelsea Chaney and Rory Welsh, would like to thank the Take Five committee for all of their hard work and the numerous League members who so generously contributed this year to make Take Five a success. Mark your calendars for Take Five 2018 which will be held on Friday March 2, 2018. Holiday Mart - New Events in 2016 Holiday Mart fast facts: Cocktails with Claus: Our newest event this year was Cocktails with Claus! On Sunday, • More than 18,000 shoppers and their kids could stop by and shoppers have their pictures taken with Santa. It was a huge hit! Evelyn Leigh Photography was • Over 1,000 there to capture the event. downloads of the new Food Trucks: This year food trucks were app open for shoppers’ dining pleasure! People enjoyed a variety of options while shopping. • 510 different Instagram postings Ladies Night Out: Holiday Mart 2016 using Holiday Mart Ladies Night Out was a success as always. This year 364 ladies shopped and enjoyed hashtags drawings throughout the night! • Approximately 300,000 impressions with the Facebook and Instagram ads

16 Inside Scoop | Spring 2017 In League Spring Sustainer Meeting Recap

By Bari Horn The 2017 Sustainer Spring Meeting, held at the beautiful Indian Hills Country Club, was an evening of celebration. Throughout the evening, Sustainers were also celebrated for years of service – including several who’ve served for 30, 40, 50 60, even 70 years. It kicked off with an opportunity for friends to meet and mingle, and moved into a thoughtful presentation that honored the wonderful contributions the League’s brought to our community including a panel discussion with several special Sustainers. This year’s Community Service Award was bestowed upon Jan Rowe who served on the financial board and as VP of finance (known today as the Finance Committee and Director of Finance) along with having been the Director of Sustainers. She also helped create Jazzoo and served in many leadership roles in her active years. In her acceptance speech, Jan said, “I love the fact Jinny McCoy, Mary Hunkeler and Carlene Hall that we focus on promoting voluntarism and on encouraging and empowering women to focus on improving our community.” The celebration continued from there with insightful stories of the past, told by four amazingly funny and brilliant Sustainers: Leslie Whitaker, Jerry Vaughan, Jinny McCoy and Sudy Hurst; with Lisa Nickel moderating the conversation. When asked, “When you joined the League, what was it like?” Leslie explained that historically the League had a closed entrance process. It was an honor to join and the process and League activities were very secretive. New Member classes were about 20 people, contracts had to be signed to participate and everyone was required to work at the Thrift Shop, along with serving on two other committees. Next, the panel was asked, “What were the greatest issues you faced throughout your League career?” Sudy stated her first General Membership Meeting as President was held on September 13th, 2001 Jan Flanagan, Deb Campbell and Katherine Schorgl – just two short days after the 9/11 tragedy. She led an emotional meeting and then ensured our League donated funds to the Leagues that had been affected. For Jinny, it was integrating women who worked into the League. When she arrived, women who worked outside the home were not allowed to vote or attend meetings. The League didn’t even know what to call them. At one point they discussed referring to them as “Ladies of the Evening”, but fortunately settled on “Evening Actives” before simply allowing women who work the same benefits as those who don’t. Jerry worked to move from a closed membership policy to an open membership policy, knowing this change would enable a more diverse group of women to join the League. She told the women who she encouraged to vote for the change, “We will bring the community further along with diversity.” Our League is incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated group of Sustainers who share a passion for service, pride in our community and commitment to building the potential of women. With their insights, guidance, and years of service our League has an incredible foundation in which to grow.

jlkc.org | Spring 2017 17 18 Inside Scoop | Spring 2017 Community Update on the Zoo Learning Fund

By Margaret Latshaw (ZLF Treasurer), Yvette Miceli (ZLF Past President), & Carla Revare (ZLF President) n 1989, the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri, established the Junior League Educational Endowment Fund for the benefit of the Kansas City Zoo. The fund was named the Zoo Learning IFund (ZLF). That year the Junior League gave the initial gift of $200,000 to the endowment and created a new fundraiser named Jazzoo as a mechanism to grow the fund. From 1989-2002, the ZLF received 90% of the net proceeds from Jazzoo and 10% went to Friends of the Zoo (FOTZ). In 2002, after the Zoo privatized, Jazzoo proceeds were designated at 90% to Zoo Operations and 10% to ZLF. Thanks to the success of Jazzoo as a fundraiser and to the good stewardship of the ZLF funds by the trustees, the ZLF has provided over $5.5 million dollars in grants to the Zoo’s education programs since its inception in 1989. The funds are in a 501(c)(3) under professional investment management. In 2006, the ZLF made its largest grant to the Zoo: $1.5 million for the remodel of the entry area into the Deramus Education Building, which allowed for expansion of offices for the education staff and classrooms for all educational activities of the Zoo from toddlers to senior citizens. The second largest grant, made in 2014 in honor of ZLF’s 25th anniversary, was for $1 million to remodel the Education Animal Facility. This remodel allowed the program to expand, as well as provide a behind-the-scenes tour and educational adventure for students. On October 6, 2016, this building was re-dedicated as the Zoo Learning Den in a ceremony that included many League supporters. The ZLF has always been led by a majority of Junior League members who are appointed by the Junior League Board, and by two members who are appointed by FOTZ. The current seven member ZLF Board consists of the four members assigned by the Junior League: Carla Revare, Margaret Latshaw, Jen Johnson and Gail Cluen; two members assigned by the FOTZ: Howard Jacobson and Hayley Hanson; and Brandy Colson, Community Volunteer.

jlkc.org | Spring 2017 19 2016-2017 Donors

Thank you to everyone who donated to many of the League’s funds and projects Participation in giving to the League in the 2016-2017 year. We made a significant impact in our fundraising goal. is important to ensure our future We started the year with a goal of $25,000 in individual donations and before and continue to give back to our the year ended we exceeded it, with total member gifts of $42,398! community. Last year, our Board of Directors led our council challenge A special thank you to those that honored your pledge payments to the Legacy and 100% of all board members gave Fund. The fun will begin to distribute dollars during the 2017-2018 League above and beyond. The following is a year! breakdown of each council:

Among our membership groups, overall participation in giving was 20% of Board 100% Actives, 15% of New Members, and 19% of Sustainers. Nominating 73% I am truly humbled and honored to be a part of such a generous organization. Finance 53% In League Your gifts are much appreciated and I hope we continue to give back in many Planning 42% ways. Marketing 23% Michelle Shekleton Fund Development 21% 2016-2017 Individual Giving Chair Training 16% Community 17% The following donations are from January 1, 2016 to May 31, 2017. Membership 15%

Barbara Adam Jennifer Bennett in honor of Edward Christophersen, Ph.D. Ericka Duker Maggie Affolter Amy Hill Jackie Clark in honor of Jessica Earnshaw Mary Alfonsin Becky Benson in memory of Audrey Langworthy Kelli Eason Randy Allard in memory Kathleen Twyman Janet Clason in honor of Stacy Edwards of Ginny Curtin & Nancy Shannon Berry Jennifer Bennett & Lisa Jill Embry Nickel Fuller’s mother, Barbara Mollie Berry Erica Bell Curtin Sara Colt Big Brothers Big Sisters Tasia Estes Betsy Allen Christina Comiskey Susan Biggar Jan Finn Megan Allen Bunni Copaken Stacey Bishop First Hand Family Foundation Rachel Allen Libby Blair Country Club Bank in honor of Julie Stoner Adrienne Allin Stephanie Blake Kelly Cox Jan Flanagan Amy Hunter Erin Bleakley Karen Craft Pam Fleischer Sandra Hunter Kay Bleakley in honor of Ann Crampton Katherine Fowler Armour Oaks Senior Living Shawsie Branton & in Janet Crawford Jill Frasier memory of Mary Jo Saviano’s Elizabeth Arnold Karen Crnkovich in honor of Ashley Frevert Lisa Auer mother Jen Johnson Jamie Botts Julie Frisbie in honor of Nancy Barbara Backstrom Laura Crowe Jane Barnes December Brammer Sydney Backstrom in memory Traer Cundiff Dr. & Mrs. Hires Gage in of Hope Wooldridge & Erika Brant Monica Curls memory of Hope Wooldridge Arline Taylor Gerry Brenneman, J.D. Ginny Curtin Karen Gallagher Betsy Ballard Brightergy, LLC in honor of Molly Davidson Brenda Gaston Kelli Rawley Barbara Barickman-Meier in Cheri Davis in honor of Barbara Gattermeir memory of Hope Wooldridge Mary Breed Brink in memory Genevieve Marcell Davis Katie Gerson Mary Jane Barnes of Barbara Breed Stark Stephanie Davis Carolyn Gibbs Sharon Barry Mary Bet Brown Jill Dean Joanna Glaze Marque Ann Barton Susan Brown Delmar Gardens Glazer’s Linda Beal Margaret Bruce Sharon Derks Abigail Gloe Ginny Beall Jane Bruening Lynn Devins Kelsey Gochnauer Christine Beck Christina Budzinski Deanna Diebolt Ellen Goheen Elizabeth Beerman Debbie Campbell Elizabeth Dilworth Colleen Goldblatt Susan Belger Angulo Traci Carmichael Tommye Dodd in honor of CBIZ, Inc. Jan Goss in memory of Janice Emily Bell Shawsie Branton Woodbury Heller Chelsea Chaney Marina Bell Trudy Donnelly Kaitlin Graham Jennifer Chmelka Janice Benjamin Debbie Dribben Jennifer Graves 20 Inside Scoop | Spring 2017 In League Greater Horizons Sudy Hurst in honor of Mary Erica Logan Angie Nelson in honor of Celeste Greenlee Jo Saviano Katelyn Logan Janice Nelson Erin Gregory in honor of Ann Hyde in honor of Nancy Florence Loomis in memory Network for Good Rachel Sexton & Kelly Jane Barnes of Julia S. Porter Patty Nicholson Hancox Jennifer Isleib Katie Lord Lisa Nickel in honor of 2016- Amy Greif Gretchen Ivy Liz Lucas 2017 Board of Directors & Lissa Haag Kathleen Johansen Susie Luening 2016-2017 Sustainer Council Annie Hagen Diane Johnson in memory Barbara Luhrs in memory of Lynne O’Connell Kathy Hagen of Ginny Curtin’s & Nancy Barbara Curtin Brittani Osborne Casey Hale in honor of Susan Fuller’s mother, Barbara Betsy Lynch Sally Ott in memory of Genie Curtin Belger Angulo Georgia Lynch in memory of Shoffey’s husband, Bill Georganne Hall Jackie Johnson Trula Hunt Nayelli Palazuelos-Bowers Jean Hall Jennifer Johnson Victoria Lynch Emily Palmer Jill Hall Sandy Johnson Linda Lyon Susan Palmer Margaret Hall in memory of Diane Johnson Daisy MacDonald in memory Soni Patel Patricia Uhlmann Rich Melissa Jones of Leone Park Carolyn Patterson Hallmark Corporate Nancy Jones Megan Mackey Tess Pattison-Wade Foundation in honor of Sandy Jones Lynn Mackle in honor of Marie Pawsat in memory of Aubrey Holden, Jill Frasier & Rachel Kabukala Eleanor Maupin Kirkman Paula Johnson Stacey Bishop Laura Kaiser Julia Mahurin Anne Payne Kelly Hancox Courtney Karr Joan Marsh Jessica Peltzer in honor of Hanger’s Cleaners Martha Jane Katz Barbara Marshall Jennifer Bennett Kathy Hardwick in memory of Taylor Kaunley Rebecca Martell Fallon Perry Amy DeYong Janet Kelley Deb O. Martin Nancy Pinnell Marla Harper in honor of Jennifer Poppe DeeDee Warner Tina Kempf Tami Martin Chelsea Porter Sara Harris Kendra Scott, LLC Traci Martin Mary Ann Powell Marti Hatridge Lizann Kesse Angie Mason Jean Kiene Carrie McClain PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP Amanda Haviland in honor of Sam Pitman Susie Heddens Marianne Kilroy in memory of Janice McCollum Anne D. Maurin Angie Prince Heidi Hedges Jinny McCoy in memory of Debbie King Shawsie Branton Abbie Pumphrey Erin Heffernan Markowicz in Julie Randolph honor of Jennifer Bennett & Hannah King Ann McCray in memory of the Junior League of Kansas Lenetra King Susan Mackey Jennifer Ray City, MO Staff Alison Kinney Felisha McDougald Page Branton Reed in memory Shirley Bush Helzberg Sarah Klittich Judy McEachen of Shawsie Branton Christie Henderson in honor Kelcie Klockenga Jennifer McKnelly-Ginn Celtina Reinert of Lisa Nickel Kathi Knop in honor of in honor of Dr. Wm. V. Anne Reene in memory of Sharon Hennig Megan Allen McKnelly Judy Hunt & Connie Smart Janie Jess Lori Konomos Amanda McRae Carla Revare Lisa Schubert Hickok Suzie Koontz Becci Meisner Cindy Reynolds Geri Higgins Brenda Kumm Mary Melton Kimberlee Ried Kim Higgins Christy LaHood Ellen Merriman Teri Riley Paget Higgins Martha Lally Cheryl Meyer Kelly Robertson Amy Hill Acey Lampe in memory of Yvette Miceli Mallory Robins Ellen Hockaday in memory of Reginald McCarroll Barton, Taylor Miller Missy Roe in honor of Karen Judy Hunt Sr. & Lois Cederburg Stacey Million in honor of Crnkovich Lisa Hoffman Audrey Langworthy Amber Hackett Crosby Katie Rooney Dianne Hogerty Olive Lansburgh Katie Minnis Margaret Ross Michelle Hogerty Jana Larsen Susan Mize Abbie Rothermich Karen Holcomb Jane Larson Ginny Moffett Jan Rowe in honor of Laura Crowe Aubrey Holden Margaret Latshaw Abby Moog Robin Rowland Carolyn Holden in memory of Mallory Laur Sara Scholes Morgan Hope Wooldridge Mya Lawrence Susan Moss Abby Royal Barri Horn Katherine Lee Rusty Munyan Heather Ryan Katie Horner Mary Lehoczky Megan Murry Marina Samples in honor Dena Nash in honor of Easton E. Smith & Edie Susie Horner Vicky Leonard in memory Wells Shawsie Branton of Holiday Mart 2006 Hampton Hubbard in memory Lynn Sander of Adele Hall Lisa Leonard Committee Caitlin Schaefer Amy Hunkeler Theresa Levings Samara Nash Gina Schaer Mary Hunkeler Mary Lockton Nell Hill’s Marissa Schaffner jlkc.org | Spring 2017 21 Nancy Schall Jeanne Smith in memory of Julie Stoner Jerry Vaughan Sarah Scheilz Nancy Alling Smith, Shawsie Barbara Storm Jean Wagner Allyce Schenk Branton & Judy Henry Hunt JoAnn Sullivan Caroline Wake Katherine Schorgl in honor of Jeanne Sosland in memory Ann Sundeen in memory Sue Waldeck Lisa Nickel of Shawsie Branton & Judy Ginny Curtin’s and Nancy Henry Hunt & in honor of Cami Walker Meredith Schuldt Fuller’s mother, Barbara Dee Dee Warner Margaret Latshaw & Jinny Curtin Joann Schwarberg McCoy Pinky Wells in memory of Cindy Svec Adele Scielzo in honor of Susan Spaulding Hope Wooldridge Marianne Swaney-Stueve Nancy Jane Barnes Spaulding Family Foundation Kathy Wells Judi Tauber Rachel Sexton in memory of Sarah Staihr Russell & Deborah Welsh Hoddy Potter Abbey Thomas Toni Stancil in honor of Mary Selene Werkowitch Virginia Shackelford Jo Saviano Brandi Thomas Katie Werner Shawnee Mission Medical Ctr. Susan Stannard Lisa Thomas Jama Westlund Michelle Shekleton Alicia Starr Ann Tinsman in memory of Erika Wheeler Stephanie Sheldon Katherine Prescott Scarritt & Mina Steen in memory of Carole Tinsman Leslie Whitaker Genie Shoffey Shawsie Branton, and Ginny Bee Tinsman in honor of Doris Evans Williams Mary Jane Short, M.D. in Curtin’s and Nancy Fuller’s Dana Wilson In League honor of Lunch Bunch & mother, Barbara Curtin Susan Kircher & Betty Holliday Brent Wilson Beyond Mandy Stelle in honor of Jen Amanda Windsor Marilyn Shutz Bennett Krista Tolsdorf Elizabeth Winetroub Stephanie Siders Leslie Stelzer Town Center Plaza – Town Center Crossing Susan Winter Kristie Sigler Nicole Stephenson Tulsa Community Foundation Madalene Woodbury in honor Debra Simpson in memory of Ann Stevens in memory of in honor of Erin Gregory of Judy Hunt JoAnn Ball Hope Wooldridge Amy Tysseling Melinda Yaklin Amy Sloan Gina Stingley Theresa Uchytil-Etler Kristen Yates Allie Smith Judy Stokes Megan Van Emon Katie Smith Karen Young In-Kind Donors 1889 Pizza Napoletana Boulevard Brewing Company Deco Catering Grimaldi’s Pizza 435 Magazine Brancato’s Catering Delish! Catering & Events Hammerpress 5B&Co. Candlemakers BreakoutKC Discovery Toys Happy Feet A Perfect Cocktail by Summer Brew Lab D’Marie Harry’s Country Club Rose 21 Bristol DMC Service Holladay Distillery ABP Works Brushes and Bows Door to Door Organics Hollyday Aesthetics Addie Rose Boutique Buttons and Bows Drs. Herwig & Miller HOLSTRit adorn512 Ça Va Easy Living Products Home Fields Aestheticare Medical Spa Cafe Gratitude Easy Tiger House of DeBoer Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Cafe Provence Eddie V’s How Cute! Aly’s Boutique Carly Rae Studio Expo Service Icon Productions Ambassador Hotel Carol Young Silver Fairway Eye Center Ifly Kansas City AMC Theaters Casey’s General Store Farly Creates Innovative Lighting & Design Amigoni Urban Winery Casually Cashmere FarmDog Studios Insomnia Cookies Ampersand Centerfire Shooting Sports Fifth House Lingerie Isle of Capri Casino Anaphora Ceramic Cafe Fitwear Boutique J. Rieger & Co. Angkor Sales Cigma, Inc. FLOCK… a Fancy Salon Jaegers Paintball Park Annie’s Barn Cinder Block Brewery Flying Saucer JLynn Designery Another Look, Inc. Channa Clemens Folly Theatre Sandy Johnson Associated Plastic Surgeons, Clique Boutique Foot Traffic Jon Jahraus Cartoons PC Colada Co. Fountain City Apparel Nancy Jones Baby Love KC Coop Ale Works FurCute LLC Jowler Creek Bare Medspa Cosentino’s Market Gale Nation Jim Julian Beauty Brands Crane Brewing Company Garment District Boutique Junque 2 Jewels Bella B Decor Cream City Market Garmin International Just for Pearls Bella Vita Skincare, LLC Created to Enjoy Glitz Galore & More Jolie Justus BeYOUtiful Boutique Culben Creek Go Ape Kansas City Ballet Bier Station Culinary Center Dawn Gore Kansas City Cupcake Co. LLC Big Skinny Wallets CVS Gourmet Goodies Kansas City Makers Black Lab Studio Daiger Dog Training, LLC Governor Stumpy’s Kansas City Royals Bombshell Marketing & Darby Smart Celeste Greenlee Kansas City Spaces Magazine WH Hostess Dave & Buster’s Greg Davis Photography Kansas City T-Bones Boston Beer Company 22 Inside Scoop | Spring 2017 In League Kansas City Transportation Meierotto’s Jewelry Primp & Blow Sparkle Life Group Becci Meissner QuikTrip Spinning Tree Theatre Kansas City Zoo Michael Robinson Photography RA Sushi Sporting KC Karat Patch Midcoast Modern Raygun Stafford Enterprises Karen’s Kustom Kreations Miss Doyle’s Soapery Reds Triathlon Training Standard Style/Baldwin Denim Katherine Jessica Collections Miss Olivia’s Line/MB Glass Restless Spirits Starlight Theatre Kathy Kamei Designs Missouri Mavericks Kimberlee Ried Shawn Stevens Kauffman Performing Arts Ctr. Museum at Prairiefire Roadrunners of KC Studio 7 Pilates & Barre Kansas City Bier Company My Charmed Life RoKC Studio Dan Meiners KC Brain Train My Pillow, Inc. Room 39 Suite One KC Double Decker Tours N2Paws Chris Rosberg Swade Studio KC Needlepoint Nature’s Select Pet Food Roth Jewelry Tammy Smith Design KC Tailgaters Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Ruth Ryan Jewelry Tavern KC Wine Co. Nick and Jake’s S.D. Strong Distilling Ted’s Cafe Escondido Kansas City Transportation Nickel & Suede Salon Ado The Aladdin Hotel Group Nothing Bundt Cakes Salt Soothers The Bar Method Leawood Kelly Alley Photography Origami Owl ~ Sheila Bennett Sandlot Goods, LLC The Elms Hotel & Spa Kendra Scott, LLC Outlaw Cigar Santa Fe Audio The Fit Pit KSCanuck, LLC Paco Designs SARKIS The Garment District La Bodega Pain Free Products Savory Spice The Independent LaGrave Designs Paint Glaze and Fire Scheels The Jeweled Gypsy, LLC Lifetime Fitness Panera Bread Schlitterban The Kansas City Star Lifted Spirits Distillation, LLC Paper Source School of Sock The Painted Sofa Lillian James Creative Pause Meditation Salon Katherine Schorgl The Roasterie Lillich Art Pearls for Girls SCOOBIE The Rockhill Grille Little Bug Baby Designs Perfect Brows Scrap-Work Boutique The Silvermine localE Pickens Sweet Treats Shader Productions Thirsty Palette Nancy Lombardino Pink Armadillos & Fabyoulous Shan Collections/Trendy Town Center Plaza • Town Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions Pinots Palette Collection Center Crossing Louie’s Wine Dive Pinstripes Shawls by Barrett Imports Treasures of the Ozarks Lukas Liquor Pizzeria Locale Shining Stars Catering Twill Luluboo Macarons PK Fine Imports Shopmamie Two Lumps of Sugar, Inc. Mad About Posh Play Clay Factory Silk Hound Underdog Wine Co. Make Up Eraser Populous Silpada Designs Unicorn Theatre Mana Culture Posh KC Blow Dry Bar Somerset Ridge Winery Union Station Mark Enterprises, Inc. Potigy Something New International, VAIN Foods, LLC Mazzarese Designers of Fine Powell Gardens LLC Vineyard Vines Jewelry Prairiefire Sophisticaited Visit KC McClain’s Bakery Price Chopper SoT Social Vita Craft Kirsten McGannon Southwest Airlines V’s Italiano Waldo Pizza Waterway Webster Enterprises West Elm Westport Flea Market What’s Hot Wide-Eyed Designs Wood + Salt Yazzii USA LLC Yoga Six Ztrip

jlkc.org | Spring 2017 23 Starr Women’s Hall of Fame – Shawsie Branton n the beautiful University of Missouri-Kansas City campus, nine remarkable female pioneers whose lives have changed the landscape of Oour city were inducted into the 2017 Class at the Starr Women’s Hall of Fame. Among them, was our League’s own Mary Shaw “Shawsie” Branton, the Association of Junior League International’s prestigious 2011 Mary Harriman Community Leadership Award winner. The Hall of Fame bears the name of the late Martha Jane Phillips Starr, who was also a League member, Kansas City philanthropist and champion of women’s rights. Twenty-six civic organizations that advocate on behalf

In League of women and family issues supported the event, including our League. Jen Bennett, JLKCMO President, served on the planning committee for the induction where more than 40 League members, community leaders, and special guest, actress Ashley Judd, recognized, acknowledged and thanked Shawsie’s daughters, Page Reed and Shawsie and her peers. Leslie Hoffecker, accepted the award on her behalf. She passed away last year at At an early age, Shawsie saw how the extension of a hand could make a the age of 95. difference in people’s lives. When she was 11, her grandfather, who owned a local pharmacy, passed away. As her family members cleaned out his desk, what they found spoke volumes – a stack of IOUs to him for medicine, with a note from him saying not to collect them after his death. In 1990, the AJLI Board of Moved by her grandfather’s acts of kindness, Shawsie went on to become a Directors established the catalyst of positive change in the Kansas City community. Mary Harriman Community In the 1940s, she led the organization of the Cerebral Palsy Nursery School Leadership Award, which (today known as the Children’s Therapeutic Learning Center), at a time when is given to one League children with disabilities were often shunned. In the 1950s, a full year before the Supreme Court’s historic Brown v. Topeka Board of Education ruling, Shawsie member per year whose convinced the board of the Cerebral Palsy Nursery School to integrate students. leadership exemplifies the In the 1970s, while serving on the board of Planned Parenthood, she fearlessly organization’s mission, vision advocated for birth control and families, and at the age of 73, she became the and values. Past winners first female Chair of the Board of the Greater Kansas City YMCA. include former Supreme Special guest, Ashley Judd, was visibly moved and grateful for Shawsie’s and all Court Justice Sandra Day of the inductees’ dedication to civil responsibility. She added in her message that O’Connor; Adelle Hall, the activism is doing what’s right with dignity and respect, concluding, “If you are a first female president of the human, you are a humanitarian.” Heart of America United Way in Kansas City and founder of the Women’s Public Service Network; Martha Rivers Ingram, chairman of the Vanderbilt University Board of Trustees and a noted philanthropist and patron of the arts; Karen Cullen Luke, lifelong civic leader in Oklahoma City and vice chair of the committee that built The Oklahoma National Memorial & Museum. Katherine Fowler, President-Elect Jen Johnson, Ashley Judd and President Jen Bennett.

24 Inside Scoop | Spring 2017 In Every Issue By the Numbers:

Overall funds raised for Number of members: the community: $17,083,000 2016-2017 Community Total 1,355 Endowment dollars awarded: Sustainer: $52,700 Legacy Fund Corpus 760 (as of 2/28/17): Overall Volunteer hours Active: $1,000,772 to community: 461 2.397 million New Member: Number of Training Sessions offered: 134 2017-2018 New Member Class size: 178 38 Katie Gerson - Tiny Juniors Vincent Raymond Moss was born January 4, 2017 at 10:02am. Weighing in at 7 lb. Spotlight 2 oz., he was 18.75 inches long. Vincent is welcomed by Susan and Aaron Moss and Katie Gerson has been selected to Center, and is an entrepreneur with big sister Vivian. serve on the 2017-2019 Governance notable projects in design and real Committee of the Association of estate development. She holds a BS in Junior Leagues International, Inc. Marketing and a MBA. (AJLI) as an At-Large Member. “The Junior League of Kansas City, As a member of the Governance Missouri is a phenomenal place to Committee, Katie will be tasked with hone one’s leadership skills,” states strategic recruitment of candidates Katie. “I am fortunate to have the for election to AJLI governance opportunity to take these skills with positions, marketing AJLI to inform me to serve at the Association of a broad range of members, assessing Junior Leagues International at the skills, competencies and knowledge of governance level to help further the applicants, and other Board assigned mission for all Junior Leagues around responsibilities. the world.” Melanie and Kevin Manning welcomed Katie, Sustainer and Past President We are fortunate to have Katie as a baby boy Wesley Wallace Manning into of the Junior League of Kansas City, member in our league and wish her the world on March 21, 2017 at 4:01am. has held many League leadership much success in this new League role! Wesley weighed 8 lb. 12 oz., and he was 21 roles, including Director of both inches long. Wesley has one older brother. Membership and Planning, and Co-Chair of the 100th Anniversary celebration. Katie has a distinguished record of creative strategic planning and marketing. She developed a Drive Period Marketing initiative as an executive at Hallmark Cards, Inc., chaired major fundraisers for the Kansas City Zoo, Nelson Atkins Museum and STOP Violence, rebranded the Community Blood jlkc.org | Spring 2017 25 26 Inside Scoop | Spring 2017 In Every Issue Comings & Goings

A Warm Welcome to: Caroline Baker (A), who transferred in Maura Hammond (A), who transferred Leigh Quarles (A), who transferred in from Dallas, TX in from Chicago, IL from Little Rock, AR Carrie Barbee (S), who transferred in Stacey Harrison (A), who transferred Christina Roder (A), who transferred from Milwaukee, WI in from St. Louis, MO in from Lincoln, NE Catherine Bourne (S), who transferred Stacey Hinkle (S), who transferred in Sarita Smith (A), who reinstated in from Orange County, CA from Lubbock, TX Allyson Summers (NM), who Megan Brennan (A), who transferred Rachael Longhofer (A), who transferred in from Oklahoma City, OK in from Wyandotte and Johnson County transferred in from Washington, DC Susanne Watson (A), who transferred Sarah Collins (A), who transferred in Michelle Mull (S), who transferred in in from Seattle, WA from Seattle, WA from Salt Lake City, UT Jamie Davis (NM), who transferred in Mary Pfeifer (S), who transferred back from Northwest Arkansas from Northwest Arkansas Vanessa Fuery (A), who transferred in Brittany Pieper (A), who transferred in from San Diego, CA from Raleigh, NC A Fond Farewell to: Kara Boeshaar (NM), who transferred Shia Hendricks (A), who transferred Kayla Moorse (A), who transferred out out to Chicago, IL out to Nashville, TN to Dallas, TX Susan Cowden (A), who transferred Natalie Howe (NM), who transferred Chelsea Nobriga (A), who transferred out to Lubbock, TX out to Sacramento, CA out to San Jose, CA Amber Crosby (A), who transferred out Melissa Jones (A), who transferred out Lorrie Parker (S), who transferred out to Austin, TX to Norfolk-Virginia Beach, VA to Morristown, NJ Molly Cunningham (A), who Lenetra King (S), who transferred out Rachel Preisner (A), who transferred transferred out to Las Vegas, NV to Ft. Worth, TX out to Houston, TX Tasia Estes (A), who transferred out to Sara Liechti (A), who transferred out to Melissa Roe (A), who transferred out to Oakland-East Bay, CA Houston TX Houston, TX Margarita Fuksman (A), who MicKayla Mages (A), who transferred Alexandra Swetnam (A), who transferred out to Austin, TX out to Phoenix, AZ transferred out to Chicago, IL Tiffany Goddard (S), who transferred Karen McCurley (S), who transferred Angela Tangen (S), who transferred out to Jacksonville, FL out to Wichita, KS out to Minneapolis, MN Hillary Hardy (A), who transferred out Jessica Mickelson (A), who transferred Sara Tiegreen (A), who transferred out to Cincinnati, OH out to Lehigh Valley, PA to Durham and Orange Counties, NC Laura Haught (A), who transferred out Michelle Montgomery (A), who Michelle Wilhite (A), who transferred to Portland, OR transferred out to Tampa, FL out to San Jose, CA

Our Deepest Sympathy to the families of: Suzie Allen, who passed away Mary Higdon, who passed away Judy McEachen, who passed away September 17, 2016 January 20, 2017 August 8, 2016 Shawsie Branton, who passed away Vee Hughes, who passed away June 20, Bee Robinson, who passed away June 20, 2016 2016 January 16, 2017 Nancy Carnes, who passed away Judy Hunt, who passed away Peg Ruth, who passed away October 3, January 12, 2017 November 28, 2016 2016 Suzanne Dierks, who passed away Olive Lansburgh, who passed away Helen Slaymaker, who passed away December 3, 2016 April 4, 2017 July 20, 2016 Mary Grant, who passed away April 8, Jean Leedy, who passed away June 18, Madalene Woodbury, who passed 2017 2016 away October 22, 2016 Virginia Hassenflu, who passed away Susan Mackey, who passed away Hope Wooldridge, who passed away November 7, 2016 September 27, 2016 January 20, 2017 Nancy Hawley, who passed away Peggy Massman, who passed away Emmie Yant, who passed away May 27, August 5, 2016 December 22, 2016 2016

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