Kansas Suffragists Memorial is a REALITY

June 2024

The artist, Phyllis Pease, has started the work of art that will memorialize Kansas women who made voting available to women! Follow the Facebook page of Kansas Suffragist Memorial and watch the work of art be created. Updates are given as the artist herself provides them.

Here is a drawing of the finished artwork. And see Phyllis here with the piece in progress.

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AAUW KS is a key collaborator in the Kansas Suffragist Memorial efforts. Learn the latest by going to https://kssuffragist.org/

Governor Kelly signs Bill Commemorating and Celebrating Kansas Suffragists              (Press Release from the office of Senator Elaine Bower)

In June 2022, Governor Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 479, authorizing the Capitol Preservation Committee to approve plans to place a permanent memorial recognizing the Kansas suffragist movement in the statehouse.

“Kansas has always been on the forefront of progress, and our history played a major role in the suffragist movement,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Kansas was the first state to hold a referendum on women’s suffrage, and we’re home to the first female mayor elected in the nation. I’m proud to sign this bill into law so that the next generation remembers our history, celebrates the trailblazers that paved the way, and recognizes the importance of participating in our democracy.”

“It was an honor to bring forward this legislation on behalf of the women who…fought so hard for many years for the right for women to vote,” Senator Elaine Bowers said. “It is easy today to take this voting right for granted but how very important it is to remember how much of a challenge and a struggle it was for women all over the United States, including Kansas, over 100 years ago. In keeping with the mission of the Capitol Preservation Committee – to ensure that the historical beauty of the capitol complex of the areas are preserved – this monument to Women’s Suffrage is appropriate and long overdue and certainly deserving to be installed for the benefit of future generations.

Funding for the memorial will be provided through the creation of Kansas Suffragist Memorial Fund which will be administered by the Kansas Treasurer’s Office. More information on SB479 can be found at www.kslegislature.org .

KS Suffrage Memorial Committee members met with the Capitol Preservation Committee to discuss potential locations for the memorial.

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Centennial of the 19th or Women’s Suffrage …oh, yes ….mark it on your calendar…August 18, 2020.  Martha Pint, Co-Chair of the Centennial of the 19th Amendment Committee  in Kansas provided information of the wonderful events planned all over Kansas.   The League of Women Voters in Kansas has taken the lead in chairing the committee to get Kansas on map for its celebrations.

Of course, they need money for some of these projects such as the traveling exhibit celebrating all the Kansas suffragists.  On Facebook find them at Centennial.Celebration.19th.Amendment. You will also see the great flag and logo design.

Parades, floats , exhibits, guest speakers throughout 2019-2020…be a part of the party. Kansas AAUW is proud to be part of this Centennial Committee.  You can also check www.lwvk.org for more information. The biggest event will be August 22-23,2020, March to the Polls. These marches will be in Kansas communities all over.

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AAUW Outlook Magazine

Did you know that the Outlook is an award-winning quarterly magazine available exclusively to AAUW members? Get in-depth feminist news and resources while supporting an organization that empowers women and girls.

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An Incredible “Conversation with Gloria Steinem”

AAUW Shawnee Mission and Manhattan branch members were among the sold out crowd who attended A Conversation with Gloria Steinem, held at the Unity Temple on the Plaza in Kansas City on November 15. The event was organized by A Great Collaboration, Rainy Day Books, and The Kansas City Star. In a conversation format, Vivien Jennings, owner of Rain Day Books asked Gloria questions, tracing her life journey from childhood to a feminist, journalist, and social and political activist. She also discussed her newly released memoir My Life on the Road.

Gloria’s early life deeply influenced her career. Her mother Ruth suffered from mental illness and her “gypsy” father Leo was an antique dealer. They traveled about in a trailer, until her parents divorced.   Her mother’s inability to hold a job and the doctors’ apathy towards her mother were pivotal to her growing concern for social injustices towards women. “My mother never had a journey of her own,” Gloria commented. After graduating from Smith College and traveling abroad, she returned to the U.S. and began a career in journalism. She credits the beginning of her life as a feminist when she covered an abortion speak-out in 1961 for New York Magazine. In 1972, she co-founded the feminist-themed magazine Ms. As one of the most important and revolutionary women of our times, Gloria helped lead the feminist movement in the late 1960s and early 70s that changed America in a fundamental way. She inspired women to not be content with gender inequality and to speak out for social identity and justice. Today, Gloria continues to travel internationally and speak out on issues of equality. In 2005, she co-founded the Women’s Media Center with Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan, a women’s organization that works to make women visible and powerful in the media.

Gloria identified the most pressing issue for women today as violence against females and reproductive rights. In the last decade, more women have been killed by husbands and boyfriends than in wars. Home is one of the most dangerous places for women! The most violent countries also have the highest violence against women, Gloria stated. Democracy starts in the home! In addition, women leaders are less likely to vote for military solutions. The inspirational program ended with a standing ovation from the audience, and a book signing. A reception was held in Meyer Hall where participants were able to enjoy desserts and visit tables where non-profits, including the AAUW Shawnee Mission and Manhattan branches, shared information and materials about the great work they are doing to support women and girls.

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Lisa Maatz, AAUW’s Vice President of Government Relations visits Kansas

What a wonderful day! On September 26, Lisa Maatz came to Wichita, Kansas for a luncheon conversation about Strengthening and Enhancing your Organization: Tools and Strategies for a Stronger Policy Advocate. Women from Wichita, Newton, El Dorado and Manhattan Branches attended.

As AAUW’s top policy adviser, Lisa works to advance AAUW”s priority issues on Capitol Hill, in the White House, and in coalition with other organizations.

Lisa invited us to get engaged and active in Public Policy and spread the word:

• If you care about public policy issues use the Two-Minute Activist on the aauw.org website, collaborate with other like minded organizations, sign up for the ActionNetwork, VOTE and help get out the vote.
• AAUW needs our help to get the bipartisan Hold Accountable and Lend Transparency (HALT) on Campus Sexual Violence Act About 28 percent of college women are targets of attempted or completed sexual assault. AAUW’s own research revealed that two-thirds of college students experience sexual harassment. Call all your Kansas Congressional leaders to vote for this bill to help make campuses in Kansas safer for women. Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins has a sensibility about women’s issues and should be contacted.

We thank Lisa for visiting Kansas and a special thanks to all involved in making her visit a great visit.

 

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2015 Kansas Annual Meeting

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AAUW Kansas Support Given

The AAUW Kansas State Board voted recently to support the Melissa Harris-Perry lecture at the University of Kansas with a $250 gift. Ms. Harris-Perry spoke on the topic of sexual harassment and violence, which fit the AAUW mission. The lecture was given at the University of Kansas in October, 2014.

 

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2014 Annual Meeting

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As a branch fundraiser, the Manhattan (KS) Branch is selling a note-card created from a picture painted by a seven-year-old girl, Seoyon Kim. A portion of the profits will go to the child for her college fund. Read Seoyon’s letter to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., below!