A new class of impactful women joined the ranks of the Starr Women’s Hall of Fame on Feb. 20 at the Kauffman Center.
The seven women were inducted into the Hall of Fame, celebrating their work to make Kansas City better. More than 50 women have received the honor in the past 10 years.
“The successes that we experience today and things we love in our community are possible because of the leaders that came before us,” said Michelle Wimes, the chairperson for the Starr Women’s Hall of Fame Committee. “Today all of us here stand tall and proud because we stand on their shoulders.”
The ceremony was held in the Muriel Kauffman Theatre, named after class of 2025 inductee Muriel Irene McBrien Kauffman. The Kauffman Center was established in response to her last wish, asking her daughter Julia to create the performing arts venue.
Other inductees included Clara Reyes, who founded the bilingual newspaper Dos Mundos (two worlds) and Marian E. Washington, the first black woman to coach the Olympics women’s basketball team.
“It’s inspiring to draw from the experiences of the inductees because it’s never too early to make an impact,” said Kyra Afolabi, a senior professional communications major. “If we have been served, we should repay that back and serve others.”
The Hall of Fame also gives inductees a chance to have their work archived within the Miller Nichols Library. More than 15 women have donated their papers to the archive, which can be viewed on the third floor of the library.
“As originally envisioned, the Starr Women’s Hall of Fame also includes its archive, which is located in the UMKC Miller Nichols Library,” said Curt Crespino, the vice chancellor of external relations and constituent engagement. “The addition of the archive affords the hall of fame the opportunity to become a living, breathing testimony to the life’s work of our amazing inductees.”
Students interested in learning more about the Hall of Fame can check out the website.
