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26 Issues

In addition to receiving 26 issues of The Independent Kansas City’s Journal of Society, your subscription will include our annual publication, the Charitable Events Calendar and a subscription to our e-newsletter, The Insider. Questions about your current subscription? Contact Laura Gabriel at 816-471-2800.

2024 Women’s History Month

Inspired by the universal female suffrage movement, the first documented International Women’s Day was held in 1909 and was eventually adopted by the United Nations in 1977 as a global holiday, celebrated on March 8th annually. In 1969 on IWD, a woman known as Laura X organized a march in Berkeley, California. (Born Laura Rand Orthwein, she later legally changed her name to Laura Shaw Murra, and again she changed her name in 1969 to Laura X, to symbolize her rejection of men’s ownership of women.) The march led to the creation of the Women’s History Center, also in Berkeley, serving as a central archive for the women’s movement. Laura X went on to become an associate of the Women’s Institute for the Freedom of the Press, and she was instrumental in campaigning for laws regulating sexual abuse in California. 

As the recognition of the women’s movement spread across the country, in 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued a presidential proclamation that the week of March 8th was National Women’s History Week. In 1987, Congress passed resolutions declaring March as National Women’s History Month, and annually Presidents continue to issue proclamations declaring that Women’s History Month remain in March. 

The United Nations declares a theme for International Women’s Day each year, and the 2024 theme is “Invest in women: Accelerate progress.” Quoting the UN Women website: In a world facing multiple crises that are putting immense pressure on communities, achieving gender equality is more vital than ever. Ensuring women’s and girls’ rights across all aspects of life is the only way to secure prosperous and just economies, and a healthy planet for future generations.” 

The website womenshistorymonth.gov offers a variety of resources to explore everything from women’s art to business to politics to historic places.

Click Here to Read the Digital Version of the March 23, 2024 Issue

 


 

BUILDING A FUTURE AND LEAVING A LEGACY  

It’s difficult to remember what the Kansas City skyline looked like 20 years ago, before the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts began to take shape at 16th and Broadway. Today anyone who drives through our city must remember one thing: This internationally acclaimed, 316,000-square-feet structure stands as a testament not just to the importance […]

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LIFE LESSONS THROUGH SONG: Local choirs reach new heights

You don’t have to watch an Allegro Choirs of Kansas City rehearsal for very long before you start to understand why these youngsters sound so good. The founding director, Christy Elsner, knows exactly what she wants, and she will persist until she gets it. “On a scale of one to 10, that was about a […]

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Redefining Self-care And Mental Health For Women

In today’s fast-paced world, mental health stressors weigh heavily on the hearts and minds of women and children alike. Whether it’s the soaring cost of living, the turmoil of politics, or the heartbreaking news of violence hitting close to home, the toll on our collective well-being is undeniable. In this whirlwind, self-care often takes a […]

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Photography Project Defies Ageism and Youth Beauty Ideals for Women

Beauty standards have changed over the decades, continuously shaping the expectations that society has for women. In the 1910s, the hourglass figure with a cinched waist was de rigueur. In the 1960s, being ultra thin with no curves was all the rage. From the ‘60s to the present, beauty norms have continued to shift. However, […]

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United Way of Greater Kansas City – Women United

The Women United group of United Way has 650 members locally, and more than 55,000 globally, and it is open to anyone who donates $1,000 or more annually to United Way. The group was established in 2009 and continues to uplift women and make a positive impact on our area’s youngest residents. Their leadership and […]

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The Impact of Extraordinary Women

Renny Arensberg Having just celebrated her 20th anniversary at KVC Health Systems, Renny Arensberg has no intention of slowing down! Renny comes equipped with a bachelor’s degree from The University of Kansas and a master’s degree in human resources from Central Michigan University, and a lengthy career in human resources, consulting, leadership, and coaching. All […]

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Connections – Eliza Barr

Eliza Barr is very forthcoming about using her own experiences to inform her professional duties as the passionate and qualified executive director of Reaching Out From Within. Not familiar with ROFW? It is the non-profit organization created more than 40 years ago by SuEllen Fried, revered philanthropist and civic leader. Long known as an anti-bullying […]

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At The Top Of Her Game – Katherine Holland

How lucky is Kansas City to have a native daughter return to the metro area to lead the city and a worldwide sports event in one of its finest hours? Very lucky, indeed. Katherine Holland was possibly the only person who could fill these shoes at this time in Our Town’s history. This Pembroke Hill […]

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Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault – 30th annual Community Luncheon

Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA) will host its 30th annual Community Luncheon on May 1st with Kathy Koehler and Heather Bortnick serving as honorary co-chairs. Leah and Arlan Vomhof and Sujal Shah and Holly Garber are the community support committee co-chairs, and Monica Gray and Chris Gray are serving as the event co-chairs. […]

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Unbound Welcomes New President and CEO

Unbound is an international non profit that delivers more than $100 million in personalized support annually for children, elders, and their families living in poverty in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. It has consistently and responsibly challenged poverty since 1981. Unbound is also the only major United States-based non profit that offers sponsorships for elders.  […]

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Rachel’s Reads – March 2024

This Women’s History Month, we reached out to women in the community to find our their favorite reads. I’m excited to share their responses below. Kathy Donovan I am a proud board member of United We, and an advocate for women’s empowerment. I am passionate about removing barriers around women’s entrepreneurship, licensing, childcare, or equal […]

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