Kansas City Missouri Women's Heritage Trail

This tour was curated by: UMKC Digital and Public Humanities

Entries on This Tour

This bridge was dedicated in honor of Mamie Currie Hughes, a long-time leader in Kansas City dating back to her work during the civil rights movement. Serving in leadership roles in multiple different organizations, associations, and boards allowed her the ability to enact change in the community. Her expertise in community planning and development provided her with a chance to assist with the development of the 18th and Vine District. Her numerous accomplishments throughout her life demonstrated her determination and service-oriented nature. On top of everything, Mamie held that her biggest accomplishment was being a mother of five children, and holds the love that she receives from her family as the greatest honor she has received.

2. Dr. Linda Hood Talbott, Talbott & Associates

Dr. Linda Hood Talbott was a philanthropic leader and advocate for women in Kansas City whose impact extended around the globe through her leadership in establishing the Women's Foundation of Greater Kansas City and the Women's Employment Network. In 1975, she established Talbott & Associates, a philanthropic management organization that assists nonprofit organizations, foundations, and corporations. She received prestigious awards for her philanthropic service, forever preserving her contributions to society. As her life of service proves, Dr. Linda Hood Talbott is an excellent role model for aspiring philanthropists and women's advocates.

3. Sister Rosemary Flanigan, St. Teresa's Academy

Sister Rosemary Flanigan, Ph.D, has lived a life of service through her participation in activist movements, education, and healthcare organizations. As one member of the Selma Six, or the Sisters of Selma, Sr. Rosemary was among six Catholic nuns who participated in the 1965 Civil Rights march in Selma. This served as the first time that Catholic nuns participated in a public national protest, emphasizing their call for racial equality and the importance of the Civil Rights movement. However, Sr. Rosemary is more well-known for the contributions she made later in her life. She served as director of ethics and educational development at the Center for Practical Bioethics, and served as an educator for almost 30 years, including years spent at her alma mater, St. Teresa's Academy in Kansas City.

4. Kansas City Young Matrons House

Organized in 1917, and incorporated in 1921, the Kansas City Young Matrons is an organization that was originally for young, married women to conduct philanthropic work. The club began with just over 30 members and now boasts over 300. Throughout the year, members of KCYM contribute their time to volunteer hours around the community, and every two years they host The Magic Ball to raise funds for a specific philanthropic project.

5. Cockefair Hall, Carolyn Benton Cockefair

Carolyn Benton Cockefair was one of the most influential educators at the University of Kansas City. Known for her unorthodox methods, strong relationships throughout the community, and students who consistently credited her for their success, Cockefair was honored with the naming of the campus building that is now home to the English and History departments.

6. Starr Women's Hall of Fame, University of Missouri-Kansas City

In recognition of the extraordinary life and contributions of Martha Jane Starr and many other women in Kansas City, the University of Missouri-Kansas City created the Starr Women's Hall of Fame in 2015. The third floor of the Miller Nichols Library includes a gallery that honors inductees and shares the history of the diverse women who have made a significant impact in Kansas City and beyond. The Hall's namesake, Martha Jane Starr, was a woman with a passion for education, advocacy for women, and helping the community as demonstrated by her support of numerous volunteer organizations. Among Starr's contributions are leadership in founding the Women's Council at the University of Missouri-Kanas City as well as the Graduate Assistance Fund for women in higher education. Her passion for promoting education on reproduction and support for programs that strengthen familial relationships and marriage allowed her and her programs to help families and couples in the area.

7. Dr. Patricia McIlrath - Kansas City Repertory Theatre

The Kansas City Repertory Theatre was founded in 1964 by Dr. Patricia McIlrath, who served as its Artistic Director, as well as the head of the University of Missouri-Kansas City's Theatre Department, until her retirement in 1985. Dr. McIlrath was a woman of great notoriety, who provided her expertise and passion to the KC Rep, offering a wonderful Theatre experience for those in the Kansas City area. A Kansas City native, Dr. McIlrath left the city for her education, yet returned for the majority of her career at UMKC. Nominated for multiple distinguished awards, as well as serving as a representative for multiple organizations, Dr. McIlrath demonstrated the importance of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. Her memory is alive within the Kansas City Repertory Theatre as well as the UMKC Theatre Department, and her contributions to the theatre scene in Kansas City remain important to this day.

8. Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center

Named in honor of longtime Kansas City resident Anita B. Gorman, this nature center offers various programs and community spaces along with eight acres of natural habitats that are representative of the region. In addition to programs within the center, visitors to the center can enjoy interpretive nature trails through woodland, wetland, and prairie habitats. The center also hosts educational programs for schools and families along with a children's play area.

9. Daughters of Old Westport Memorial

Westport businessmen wanted to put up a life-sized stone wagon train to mark the centennial of the Santa Fe Trail. Instead, local women raised the funds for this 1920 tribute "To the Pioneer Mother." It was one of the first pioneer mother monuments erected in the United States.

10. Bettye Wilson Miller, The Horseshoe Lounge (Demolished)

Jazz musicians in Kansas City shaped the genre in the 1920s and 1930s, and area artists like Bettye Wilson Miller contributed to the "modern jazz" movement from the 1950s to the 1970s. Bettye Miller met Milt Abel at the Horseshoe Lounge, which was located at 3243 Troost Avenue, and the pair formed a professional partnership that grew the Kansas City sound. The duo, who would later be married, took the Kansas City music scene by storm. Her vocals and piano skills paired with Milt's bass skills led to sold-out performances throughout Kansas City as well as national performances. Bettye also mentored youth and supported musical education through her support of the Charlie Parker Memorial Foundation until she passed away in 1977 after an extended battle with cancer. The Horseshoe Lounge was demolished in the latter half of the 20th century, but the legacy of her influence continued in the generations of Kansas City musicians that followed.

11. Operation Breakthrough, Sister Corita Bussanmas and Sister Berta Sailer

Operation Breakthrough was co-founded by Sister Corita Bussanmas and Sister Berta Sailer in 1971 when their efforts to serve the families of this neighborhood demonstrated the need for a nonprofit childcare organization. The two nuns worked around the clock and demonstrated incredible creativity to meet the needs of parents and children in the early years of the organization. Thanks to their leadership and example, the organization now provides educational programming, before and after school care, well-child care, resources for parental support, and emergency services. The organization aids children and parents that live in poverty, and cares for over 700 children each weekday. Sister Corita and Sister Berta were fierce advocates for children and personally approached the leading athletes, philanthropists, and politicians in the community to gain support and funds for Operation Breakthrough. Their advocacy expanded, educating middle-class families in the community on the issues of poverty in the Kansas City area. On top of developing Operation Breakthrough, Sister Corita and Sister Berta served as foster parents for dozens of children.

12. M&M Bakery and Delicatessen and the Legacy of Bronia Roslawowski

Established shortly after World War II by Holocaust survivor Bronia Roslawowski and her husband Mendel, M&M Bakery has been a cornerstone of this Kansas City community for nearly eight decades. In 1984 Roslawowski sold the bakery to Dorothy Williams, a former employee, and her husband Pat. The Williams family continues to operate the business in the Jewish deli tradition with many of Roslawowski's original recipes. During her life, Bronia Roslawowski was a beloved figure in the community known for generosity and courage, as demonstrated by community members who continue to tell stories of how she consistently helped people in need while standing up to those who underestimated her, including a would-be robber. Eager to educate the public on the dangers of fascism and anti-Semitism, Roslawowski worked with the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education and spoke on behalf of other Holocaust survivors until she passed away in 2010.

13. Lucile Bluford Branch, Kansas City Public Library

Dedicated in 1988, this branch of the Kansas City Public Library was dedicated in honor of journalist and community leader Lucile Bluford Branch. Lucile Bluford was born in North Carolina in 1911 and moved to Kansas City at a young age where she became an avid reader. After earning a degree in journalism, she worked as a reporter and attempted to enroll in the University of Missouri's graduate program. After being barred from admission due to her race, she led an influential legal case against the University that paved the way for changes in Missouri. Bluford demonstrated the same determination on behalf of Kansas City's Black communities as a journalist and eventual editor of the Kansas City Call. As a reporter and editor, Bluford investigated cases of racial discrimination in a career that spanned decades. In addition to the continued work of the Kansas City Call, Bluford's lasting impact is evident in this Kansas City library which is home to a community meeting room and one of the largest collections of African American literature in the region. The library also serves as the home of a community health center and offers a variety of services designed to connect patrons to information and opportunities.

14. Althea Marie Moses (1967-2022)

Althea Moses served as the Environmental Justice Coordinator for the Environmental Protection Agency where she represented the needs of communities throughout Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska until her death in 2022. Moses' career spanned thirty years beginning shortly after she graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 1991. During her career, Moses worked as a liaison between numerous diverse communities and the EPA, supporting outreach and educational initiatives about environmental and health-related issues. Her work focusses on including members of low-income and minority communities in the decision making process while also providing access to EPA programs and resources. Like many influential women who dedicated their lives to serving the people of Kansas City, there is not currently a monument or historical marker recognizing Moses's life. As a result, the authors of this women's history trail have decided to place this stop honoring Althea Moses's life at one of the many community centers where she led meetings that blended her efforts of outreach and education about Enviro9onmental Justice.

15. Hazel Browne Williams, Lincoln High School

Born on February 9, 1907, Hazel Browne Williams would become an educator who overcame racism to become the first full-time Black professor at the University of Missouri - Kansas City. After graduating from Lincoln High School in Kansas City, Missouri, she would pursue a degree in education at the University of Kansas, receiving her bachelor's in 1927 and her master's in 1929. After teaching at the Louisville Community College, Williams would continue her education, achieving a master's degree in guidance and counseling from Columbia University and culminating with a Ph.D from New York University in 1953. Beginning her career at UMKC in 1958 as an associate professor, she would later become the first fulltime African American professor at UMKC in the 1960s. She passed away on July 7, 1986, after a lifetime of perseverance and breaking both racial and gender barriers.

16. Willows Maternity Sanitarium (1905-1969)

Now home to an apartment complex, this was the location of the Willows Maternity Sanitarium from 1908 until 1969. This home for unwed mothers was one of many maternity homes in Kansas City, which was nicknamed the “adoption hub” of the United States owing to Missouri's unique adoption laws that provided simplicity and privacy for mothers and the adopting parents. Tens of thousands of mothers came to Kansas City in the first half of the 20th century owing to the existence of numerous institutions like Willows Maternity Sanitarium, as well as partnerships between social services organizations and Kansas City hospitals. The Willows and its owners, Edwin P. and Cora May Haworth, earned a reputation for kindness, first-class medical care, and exceptional accommodations for the young women under their care. These factors distinguished the Willows from many other maternity homes, but still, nearly all of the estimated thirty thousand women who entered this facility left alone as nearly all of the babies born here were placed for adoption.

17. Tatiana Dokoudovska, Kansas City Ballet and School

The Kansas City Ballet and School is currently housed in the Ted Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity next to the Union Station, and conducts their performances at the Muriel Kauffman Theatre at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The Kansas City Ballet was founded by Tatiana Dokoudovska in the late 1950s. A professionally trained and accomplished ballerina, Dokoudovska performed across Europe and the United States. Her experience as a dancer provided her with the skills to become a successful ballet instructor, albeit a stern one. Her passion for dance allowed her to support the ballet department at the Conservatory of Music, which would one day be a part of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and provided a foundation for ballet appreciation in the city. Dokoudovska's legacy lives on both in the professional performances by the Kansas City Ballet, and in the ballet instruction that the Kansas City Ballet School provides.

18. Guadalupe Centers, Dorothy Gallagher

In 1919, the Agnes Ward Amberg Club, an organization for affluent, white, Catholic women, founded the Guadalupe Center to help Mexican immigrants in the Kansas City area, especially focusing on women and children. However, while the concept sounds beneficial, the organization focused on the Americanization of Mexican immigrants, and included services that were condescending to the women who immigrated to Kansas City. In other words, cooking and sewing classes were offered, when the Mexican women immigrating to Kansas City were already trained in such matters. In 1926, Dorothy Gallagher, a daughter of a wealthy businessman, became the director of the Center. After visiting the homes of Mexican families, she realized the Mexican American community in Kansas City did not only want English lessons or other classes at the center. Rather, they wanted a community center for their families to gather together and solidify the Mexican American community in the city. Gallagher's family donated land to build a new Center in 1936, and Dorothy served as the director of the Guadalupe Center until 1944, when she left to assist in France during World War II. Over the decades, the Mexican American and Latinx community reclaimed the Guadalupe Center from the city's Catholic diocese, establishing services the Latinx community both needed and wanted for community building and cultural expansion.

19. Kansas City Public Library: Irene H. Ruiz Biblioteca de las Americas

This branch of the Kansas City Public Library opened in 2001, but its history as a branch library in this part of the city goes back to 1911 when the Switzer Branch Library opened. The branch is named in honor of Irene H. Ruíz, a leader who supported education and community building in Kansas City, Missouri’s Westside Mexican American community. Irene and her husband, Francisco Ruíz came to Lawrence, Kansas in 1963 to attend the University of Kansas. They eventually moved to Kansas City where Francisco took a position at Penn Valley Community College in the history department. Irene worked for Kansas City Missouri Public Schools as a teacher, and she later became a librarian for the Kansas City library branch which at that time was managed by the school district. Irene and Francisco became active in social justice causes in the community. They also hosted local and national lectures by civil rights leaders including César Chávez. Irene was instrumental in collecting oral histories from Mexican immigrant families of the community. The collection of those stories are archived at the Missouri Valley Room of the Kansas City Central Library. The branch library where she worked under the direction of the public school system came under the management of the Kansas City Public Library in 1986 and moved to this location in 2001.

20. Nell Donnelly Reed, The Donnelly Garment Company

In the heart of Kansas City during the early 20th century, a remarkable woman emerged as a trailblazer in both the fashion industry and community development. Nell Donnelly Reed, a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist, left an indelible mark on her community through her innovative contributions to fashion and her commitment to uplifting those around her. Born in Parsons, Kansas, Nell was the daughter of five of thirteen children. Nell was taught to sew by her mother and sister at a very young age since everything she received was hand-me-downs. She moved to Kansas City at sixteen, trying to find her way. While living in a boarding house, Nell met her future husband, Paul Donnelly. Once married, Nell was passionate about wanting more education, so she attended Lindenwood College in Saint Charles, Missouri. After graduation, she returned to Kansas City to live happily with Paul. In the 1920s, women were required to wear "Mother Hubbard" dresses, a shapeless frock that did nothing for a woman's body, but not Nell. She refused to wear something so heinous. She altered the everyday dress in her home into the stylish frock of the 30s. Nell defined the waist, added short sleeves with mobility, and always added a pocket because "You will always need one." Friends of Nell praised her style and encouraged her to try to sell her dresses, but no one would buy them. This building on Kansas City's Walnut Street was the headquarters of Nell Donnelly Reed's garment empire which became the largest manufacturer of women's dresses in the United States. Nell Donnelly Reed was more than just a woman. Business Mongural, Loyal employer, and innovative fashion designer are just a few words to describe Reed's fascinating life. Nell Donnelly Reed forever changed the fashion game for women's dresses. Nell was a driven, ingenious woman who believed women could work hard AND look good. She reimagined how housewives dressed and turned her designs into a multimillion-dollar company. A former worker in the garment industry, Reed built and grew her business from the early to mid-1900s by offering a variety of styles of women's clothing that were unique and form-flattering. Nell Donnelly expanded her company through a mixture of shrewd business practices and innovative designs. Known today for her opposition to organized labor, she also created fashionable designs for women of all sizes at lower prices than her competitors as her company pioneered new techniques in assembly-line production. While Nell Donnelly Reed was a successful entrepreneur who exhibited creativity and business savvy, she was also criticized by some who hoped a woman-led company would create more opportunities for unionization of the garment industry. At the same time, the Donnelly Garment Company offered numerous unique benefits for workers, such as tuition support and family scholarships. Her company survived The Great Depression due to her competency in business practices. Nell was as loyal to her employees as they were to her. Nell provided numerous job benefits, including a pension plan unheard of for women then. A cafeteria and an on-site medical clinic are a few of the facilities she would provide. Nell would also pay for hospital visits and night classes for women wanting to continue their schooling. By the time World War 2 was finishing up in 1945, Nell had over 250,000 dollars in sales and supplied employment to 18 women. At this point, she had moved to her building at 1828 Walnut Street, and Nelly Don Incorporated was thriving. Nell was a fantastic employer. Her company dominated women's fashion in the 1920s-1960s. She patented the "Handy-Dandy Apron," a single-seam apron with big pockets and flattering lines. She was turning any housewife into a stunning woman. Nell chose a single seam so that her team could finish products quickly. She made her designs out of cotton and rayon to be washed and drip dry. She gave the American woman many design options to customize their daily looks After her retirement and subsequent sale of her company, Nell Donnelly Reed supported several community organizations and philanthropy, including the donation of over seven hundred acres to build a wildlife conservation area named in honor of her late second husband, former Senator James Reed. Nell died on September 8, 1991, at the age of 102. Unfortunately, after retiring and selling her stocks in 1956, the new CEO ran her company into the ground. Nell Donnelly Reed's impact on Kansas City was not confined to the business world. Her influence reached into the fabric of the community, weaving a tapestry of progress, empowerment, and compassion. Her legacy endures not only in the iconic dresses bearing her name but also in the lasting contributions she made to the social and economic well-being of Kansas City and beyond. Nell Donnelly Reed is a beacon of inspiration, reminding us that business success can coexist with a profound commitment to community welfare. Nevertheless, Nell Donnelly Reed reimagined the women's fashion game for future generations. She was a well-respected woman, boss, and entrepreneur in Kansas City, always and forever fashionable.

21. Muriel Kauffman Theatre; Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

The performance home of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and Kansas City Ballet, this 1800-seat theater was designed to mirror the audience experience of the world's finest opera houses and hosts numerous touring performances each year. Kansas City philanthropist Muriel McBrien Kauffman began the effort that would culminate in the 2011 dedication of this performing arts center in 1994. Today, the Kaufman Center serves as the home of the Kansas City Ballet and the Kansas City Symphony while also hosting special events throughout the year. The Kauffman Center is also home to Helzberg Hall, which is home to the Kansas City Symphony. In addition to this performing arts center, Muriel Kauffman is remembered for her many years of service to the community through many philanthropic endeavors, and her legacy continues today through the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation which supports the arts in the Kansas City area.

22. Sarah Chandler Coates

While Sarah Chandler Coates was born and raised in Pennsylvania, her impact was especially felt throughout Kansas City. While the city was not yet the metropolitan district it would one day become when Sarah moved to the area in 1856, her and her husband, Colonel Kersey Coates, would contribute to Kansas City's development. Sarah's passion for the women's suffrage movement encouraged her to create multiple women's associations within the area, which allowed for the expansion of certain progressive ideals in the city. Her life of service impacted many, and she was sorely missed when she passed away at the end of the 19th century. Her children would commemorate her life in an 1898 memoriam that demonstrates the many lives she touched throughout her days.

23. Kay Barnes, H&R Block World Headquarters

Kay Barnes was elected Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, in March 1999, becoming the first female mayor of the city. She served two consecutive terms as mayor, from 1999 until 2007. Throughout her mayoralty, she spearheaded the efforts to bring the H&R Block's World Headquarters to downtown Kansas City, Missouri, on 13th Street and Main Street. Her efforts throughout her mayor ship brought about infrastructure improvements and propelled maintenance work in the city forward, bringing new life to the downtown area and the city as a whole. She, along with the City Council of the time, gained citizens' votes to improve fire stations, ambulance services, and the police force throughout the city, additionally helping with safety and response times within the city. She received the Central Exchange Visionary of the Year award in 2007 and the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Kansas Citian of the Year award in 2018 for both her accomplishments as the first female mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, and her following accomplishments outside of office.

24. Sarah Rector's Mansion

Sarah Rector was born into poverty in 1902, the grandchild of slaves. In 1911, oil was struck on land she owned, making her a millionaire at only 10 years old. Her fame spread internationally, and she was touted as the “Richest Black Girl in America” by newspapers. She purchased a mansion in 1921 at the corner of 12th and Euclid Streets, which still stands today. She was a lifelong resident of Kansas City, and plans are underway to restore the mansion to its former glory.

25. Women's Leadership Fountain

Originally named the Ninth Street Fountain, the Women’s Leadership Fountain was the second public fountain built in Kansas City. Designed by George Kessler and John Van Brunt, the limestone fountain was completed in 1899 as part of the City Beautiful Movement. It is one of 48 city-owned fountains and is currently the oldest working fountain in Kansas City. The fountain also memorializes thirteen women who have made tremendous contributions to the Kansas City community.

26. Dr. Alice Berry Graham Cornerstone, Mercy Hospital (1917-1970)

Dr. Alice Berry Graham, together with her sister Dr. Katherine Berry Richardson, devoted their lives to providing access to medical care for children of all backgrounds in Kansas City and founded the institution that grew into Children's Mercy Hospital. Dr. Alice Berry Graham was the eldest of the two founders, and in recognition of her expertise and effort that led to the development, growth, and success of Children's Mercy until her death at the age of 63 in 1913, her sister insisted that this building, which was home to the hospital from 1917 to 1970, include this cornerstone which recognized the work of her later sister. With a background in multiple areas of the country, and with her sister by her side, Dr. Graham brought a necessary practice to Kansas City in a time where medical care for children had not been a top priority. The care she bestowed upon others, as well as her diligent spirit, lives on in the Children's Mercy Hospital to this day.

27. Founders of Children's Mercy Hospital Historical Marker

The Children's Mercy Research Hospital in Kansas City, which has expanded to multiple locations around the metro area, began as a dream among two sisters: Dr. Alice Berry Graham and Dr. Katharine Berry Richardson. While Katharine, the younger of the two, heralded her sister as the true founder of the hospital, she would continue to operate and support the hospital after Alice's untimely death in 1913. For years, Dr. Richardson contributed to the expansion of the hospital, and contributed her efforts to gaining donations and better preparing medical professionals within the hospital's walls. Overall, her passion contributed to the success of the dream that her and Dr. Graham shared, and her determination is apparent in accounts of her work. The Berry sisters, though long passed, are still ever-present in the mission of Children's Mercy.

This Tour is a Thematic Tour or Heritage Trail.

Kansas City Missouri Women's Heritage Trail

Created by UMKC Digital and Public Humanities on November 15th 2021, 2:45:22 am.

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This trail was created in 2021 by students at the University of Missouri-Kansas City with the goal of connecting residents and visitors to the history and accomplishments of a some of Kansas City's most influential women. The trail includes many of the inductees to the Starr Women's Hall of Fame, as well as landmarks throughout the city that recognize the contributions of women. The trail was created thanks to the archival resources of the Kansas City Research Center, Missouri Valley Special Collections of the Kansas City Public Library, and LaBudde Special Collections at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. This trail is a living project, and students and faculty at UMKC will continue to add to the project in the years ahead in addition to creating trails for other parts of the Kansas City metro area. Suggestions for Kansas City landmarks that could be added to the trail can be sent to Dr. David Trowbridge in the Department of History.

Entries on This Tour

Kansas City Missouri Women's Heritage Trail

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