Women’s Foundation Celebrates Induction of Annie White Baxter into Hall of Famous Missourians

Baxter, a political trailblazer, was the first woman elected to public office in Missouri and first female county clerk in U.S. 

From left to right: Jasper County Clerk Charlie Davis, Missouri Speaker of the House Elijah Haahr, Women’s Foundation President & CEO Wendy Doyle

On Wednesday, August 26th, Women’s Equality Day, the Missouri House of Representatives will induct Anna “Annie” White Baxter into the Hall of Famous Missourians. Baxter was the first woman elected to public office in Missouri in 1890 and the first female county clerk in the United States.

“Annie White Baxter is remembered as a political trailblazer not only for Missouri, but for U.S. history,” said Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President & CEO. “This month marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, a monumental time in history and of great significance for Annie White Baxter since she oversaw elections when she didn’t have the right to vote. I’m thrilled she is getting the recognition she rightfully deserves.” 

The induction ceremony will take place in the House Chamber at 11:00 a.m. The ceremony will also be streamed live at house.mo.gov. 

“Annie White Baxter, a native of Carthage, Missouri, solidified herself in history as the first woman elected to public office in Missouri and the first female county clerk in the U.S.,” said Speaker of the House, Elijah Haahr. “Today, we honor her contributions to policy and the impact she had on Missouri’s rich history by commemorating her in our state capitol.”

In addition to her service as a county clerk, Baxter also served as state registrar of lands from 1908–1916 and as financial secretary of the Missouri Constitutional Convention in 1922. She will be the ninth woman honored in the Hall of Famous Missourians. 

Sculptor Spencer Schubert created the bust of Baxter. Women’s Foundation and its supporters, particularly generous Missourians from Annie’s home county, funded the project as part of the Legacy of Women initiative to recognize women’s historical contributions in state parks, historic sites, and other public spaces. 

Women’s Foundation has previously worked with Missouri Department of Natural Resources to rename the Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site as well as the Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park. 

Diane von Furstenberg to Headline Women’s Foundation Annual Event

Global entrepreneur, fashion designer and philanthropist will share message of women’s empowerment with foundation supporters 

The Women’s Foundation today announced renowned global entrepreneur, fashion designer and philanthropist Diane von Furstenberg as the featured speaker at the organization’s We Work for Change Annual Event presented by Bank of America, on September 29, 2020. This year’s event theme is United We Change, calling upon women and men to unite to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership. The 2020 event will be delivered through a dynamic, innovative live virtual platform, allowing attendees to network, engage and interact. Ticket sales begin tomorrow.

“The Women’s Foundation is thrilled to have Diane von Furstenberg as our keynote speaker for this year’s United We Change Annual Event,” said Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President & CEO. “Diane is a true changemaker. Not only is she an iconic businesswoman and innovator, her dedication to empowering and supporting women everywhere personifies our mission to affect positive change and equity for all women.” 

“Join me on September 29th as we raise funds and awareness for the Women’s Foundation,” said Ms. von Furstenberg. “As a woman and global entrepreneur, my values align with those of the Women’s Foundation and the essential, inspiring work they do to advance women’s economic equity and civic leadership. Communities thrive when women have a seat at the table, own who they are, and use their voices to advocate for policies that improve the lives of all women and families.”

Named by Forbes as one of the world’s “100 Greatest Living Business Minds” and TIME as one of the “100 Most Influential People,” Ms. Von Furstenberg created her iconic wrap dress as a symbol of empowerment. Now the DVF brand is sold in over 70 countries worldwide. Her focus on women’s empowerment extends well beyond fashion to mentoring and philanthropy.

The Women’s Foundation is also proud to announce Linda and Paul DeBruce and the DeBruce Foundation as Honorary Chairs of the event.

The Young Professionals Sponsorship, made available by the generosity of Linda and Paul DeBruce and The DeBruce Foundation, will provide an opportunity for up to 150 college youth and young professionals to participate and learn first-hand from successful women leaders.  It exhibits the joint commitment of Women’s Foundation and The DeBruce Foundation to helping women expand pathways and achieve their economic potential.

"The DeBruce Foundation is united with Women's Foundation in working toward positive change to expand pathways to economic growth and opportunity," said Honorary Chair Linda Woodsmall-DeBruce.

Attendees will also hear from additional leaders and changemakers in breakout sessions, including Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank President & CEO Esther George and acclaimed TEDx speaker Patti Dobrowolski. Tickets for the event are on sale starting Tuesday, August 18 at www.womens-foundation.org/2020-annual-event.

Renamed Historical Site Honors Olive Boone

Name change is the first for the “Legacy of Women” initiative to recognize historical women in public spaces

On Saturday, August 15, Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site will be renamed to include the name of Nathan Boone’s wife, Olive. The name change is the first for Legacy of Women, a Women’s Foundation initiative to recognize women’s historical contributions in state parks, historic sites, and other public spaces.

“What we celebrate and honor about the past impacts how we understand the present,” said Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President & CEO. “We want the next generation of women to be able to see themselves – and be inspired and empowered by – the changemakers of the past. We’re proud to be launching this initiative to write women back into history and give them the long-overdue recognition they deserve.” 

Olive Boone was a tough woman who managed a farm and household with 14 children during a time when women had no legal rights. She is buried near the cabin at the historic site that will now carry her name.

The renaming from Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site to the Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site will take place with a ceremony and ribbon cutting in Ash Grove at 2 p.m. on August 15. Masks and social distancing guidelines will be followed as precautionary measures for attendees amid ongoing public health concerns.

Women’s Foundation, which works to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership, collaborated with The Missouri Department of Natural Resources to plan the name change.

“Valued, long-lasting partnerships are essential to success. Without our partnership with the Women’s Foundation, the recognition of Olive and her role in Missouri’s history would not have happened in such a significant and successful way,” said Mike Sutherland, Missouri State Parks Director. “We hope that this is just one of many collaborations we will have with the Women’s Foundation as Missouri State Parks recognizes the significant contribution of women to Missouri.”

Last year, the Women’s Foundation worked with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to rename Van Meter State Park to Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park. 

Statement on Kansas and Missouri Primary Election Results

Today Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation released a statement in response to Kansas and Missouri’s primary elections:

“Women’s Foundation would like to congratulate the ever-increasing number of women who ran for office in Kansas and Missouri. We are working to ensure civic boards and commissions reflect the communities they serve and are excited by increasing the number of women, and women of color, who are stepping up to be at the decision-making tables of their communities.

Today was also an exciting day for women and families as Medicaid expansion passed in Missouri! The economic development of Missouri’s women is more fully supported when women have access to healthcare and today marks a step in the right direction.

Women’s Foundation will continue to be a leading voice in our region for removing barriers for women and will advocate for policies like Medicaid expansion that support women.”

Appointments Project Receives Podcast Mention

Mary Jane Judy of Polsinelli mentions the Appointments Project during Country Club Bank’s ‘Banking on KC’ podcast. Listen as Kelly Scanlon talks to Mary Jane about why she’s so passionate about civic engagement.