For some girls, this is where it all starts. Girl Scouts is where they learn leadership skills, confidence, problem solving skills, innovative thinking, and the cultivation of a passion. For some girls, this is an addendum to what they receive at home, but to others, this is the only opportunity they will have to interact […]
Read MoreAmethyst Place opened its doors in 2000 and has been bringing families home to heal for more than 21 years. Founded by Sister Berta Sailer, Penny Clodfelter, Oneta Templeton, Alice Kitchen, Kimberley Davis, Pat Brown, and Molly O’Neill, the organization has been a leader in assisting families with overcoming the interconnected cycles of poverty, substance […]
Read More“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” Dolly Parton When I first started as publisher of The Independent, I knew that I had just stepped on to a new path. A mainstay of the Kansas City community, I remember reading The Independent as I was growing up and searching for […]
Read MoreSocial life isn’t a series of linear progressions. It’s often impossible for even close friends to recall exactly when they met. Maybe they both attended the same cocktail parties dozens of times, but never had a conversation until they were on the train at Jazzoo. The year 2022 marks 100 years of women owning The […]
Read MoreWhen the National Women’s Soccer League announced in December of 2020 that a new franchise of women’s soccer was being awarded to Kansas City, it meant an enormous influx of volunteers and civic-minded players would be getting acquainted with Kansas City area non profits. Owners Angie and Chris Long and Brittany Matthews were clear in […]
Read MoreMary Beth Gentry believes in young women and their unlimited potential. She founded Young Women on the Move (YWOM) in 2005 to help unleash the power of girls to create a more vibrant, healthy and peaceful world. When asked about YWOM’s work, Mary Beth, who also serves as chief executive officer, stated, “Today’s youth are […]
Read MoreTrailblazer: Klassie Alcine, Rising Star Class of 2017 Klassie Alcine is the chief executive officer of KC Common Good, which works to provide critical resources to reduce the conditions that lead to violence. She recently served as a guest mentor for Madam President Camp, where she is also an advisory board member. The organization offers a […]
Read MoreAnn Abercrombie and Kristin Tyson are serving as the honorary co-chairmen of the 28th Annual Community Luncheon, a benefit for Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA). The event will be held on April 29th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. The community support committee co-chairmen are Janea and JP Roberts […]
Read MoreMr. and Mrs. Charles Moore Benson of Leawood, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Caitlin Claire Benson, to Broderick Lee Johnson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Raymond Johnson of Kansas City, Missouri. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mr. William Blaine Kircher of Fairway, Kansas, and the late Mrs. […]
Read MoreA bouncing baby boy named Grant Thomas Shaffer was born on January 8th to Bridgette and Marc Shaffer of Overland Park, Kansas. He weighed seven pounds, two ounces, and was 19 inches long. Grant has dark blue eyes and “minimal” hair, to quote his father. The baby’s delighted grandparents are Annette and Thomas Casey and […]
Read MoreKC Shepherd’s Center relies on volunteers to make its mission run, and Krucial Staffing has come to the rescue more than once! This group of helpers has done double duty on raking yards twice for older adults in our community. The eager bunch helps KC Shepherd’s Center provide programs, leadership, and advocacy to help both […]
Read More1900 Building was the site for the February 24th cocktail party to celebrate The Independent’s 2022 Class of Rising Stars: Missy Andeel, Olivia Bloomfield, Mark Nuss, Keith Stanfield, Alisha Thomson, and Gene Willis, and to celebrate The Top Ten Events of 2021. Guests enjoyed delicious bites from Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions and celebrated another record-breaking […]
Read MoreWhen Anna Curry and E. Kemper Carter – the E. stood for Evlane – were wed on Washington’s Birthday in 1936, they no doubt hoped to be together for the rest of their lives. They got their wish. Alas, some lifetimes are shorter than others. Kemper, who was sometimes known as Kemp, hailed from Saint […]
Read MoreCourtney Alexandra McCray and Christopher Jordan Swope have a June 18th wedding date. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Sandra Morello McCray of Prairie Village, Kansas, and Mr. Chandler Sherman McCray of Mission Hills, Kansas. Her groom-elect is the son of Susan Ann Swope of Topeka, Kansas, and Mr. Timothy Dean Swope of Topeka. Courtney […]
Read MoreThe Children’s Place’s Party for The Place: Pure Imagination (formerly known as the Angels’ Gala), will be held on April 2nd at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Melanie and Jim Rine will be the honorary chairmen. The Children’s Place has entered a new era of its 40-year history with a move […]
Read MoreBrandy Reed is an active volunteer with Reach Out and Read Kansas City. She served on the event committee for Books on Tap. Her responsibilities included fundraising and securing silent auction items, and she also recruited family members and friends. In addition, Brandy helped host the Kendra Scott Gives Back event in September. According to Ellen […]
Read MoreA Musical Evening with Ramona featuring Ramona Pansegrau, music director for the Kansas City Ballet, was enjoyed by members of KCB’s Bolender Society. The event was held on January 20th at The Kansas City Country Club. Also on the agenda were a special performance by KCB’s Second Company, an announcement by Devon Carney, artistic director, […]
Read MoreJenny and John Isenberg will be honored with the Civic Service Award by the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy at the Civic Service Award Celebration, which will be held as a private broadcast on April 3rd. Jenny and John are outstanding examples of people who “light the path forward” for the Academy and other civic organizations. […]
Read MoreThe Top Five Golf Tournaments of 2021 Bright Futures Fund’s 4th Annual Bishop Johnston’s Golf Tournament: $227,295 Ronald McDonald House Charities of KC’s Trent Green Golf Classic: $219,842 Lakemary’s Golf Classic with Will Shields: $155,422 Olathe Health Charitable Foundation’s Golf Classic: $118,265 Down Syndrome Innovations’ Step Up for Down Syndrome Golf Classic: $106,895 The Top Five Walk/Run Events of […]
Read MoreCarey Eloise Wilkerson of Kansas City, Missouri, and Mr. and Mrs. Mark Louis Nothnagel of Leawood, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Margaret Marie Nothnagel, to Kevin Mark Hart, Jr., the son of Mrs. William Kevin Perry of Kansas City and the late Mr. Kevin Mark Hart. The bride-to-be is the […]
Read MoreThe 48th Annual Snow Ball, a benefit for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, was held on January 15th, both at the Overland Park Convention Center and online. Donna and Mark Teahan served as the presidents. Lauren Solidum, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, made a presentation that featured a video about the Family Financial Transformations program. […]
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