KANSAS CITY, Mo. — More than 1,000 people showed up on Monday for the launch of the Starr Women’s Hall of Fame. The event recognized outstanding women in the Kansas City area to honor them for their accomplishments.
“Martha Jane said, ‘I didn’t do these things because they’re controversial, I did them because they were right.’ In my family, and at the Clinton Foundation, we couldn’t agree with that sentiment more whole-heartedly,” said Chelsea Clinton, the former first daughter and guest speaker at the public launch for the Starr Women’s Hall of Fame.
The hall is named after the late Martha Jane Starr, a Kansas City philanthropist and women’s rights activist.
“Equal rights for women and girls remains the unfinished business of the 21st century,” added Clinton.
Twenty-four organizations from across the Kansas City metro have come together to form the Starr Women’s Hall of Fame. Clinton was chosen to speak for a number of reasons.
“She is an amazing example of someone who, beginning at a very early age, has assumed major positions of responsibility. So I think as a role model, it’s very important for many people to be exposed to her,” said former Kansas City Mayor, Kay Barnes.
“We thought that she would really deliver a message of leadership to all generations, she has paved the way for a lot of people in the millennial generation and she’s been inspiring people of all generations,” said Laurie Roberts, the co-chair for the Starr Women’s Hall of Fame. She said it’s important to recognize outstanding women who broke barriers so they’re never forgotten.
“Women are quiet leaders, they tend to not tout their own accomplishments and so we really felt like it was important for people in our community to feel compelled to nominate someone who’s really made a difference in their community and in our community overall,” added Roberts.
“We have made progress, but we certainly cannot mistake progress for success,” Clinton said.
For more information on how you can nominate outstanding women in this area, please visit this link.
