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 […]

Amethyst 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 […]

The Royale is a powerfully crafted piece of theater that addresses an issue that is still with us. Marco Ramirez’ 85-minute play reflects on the legacy of Jack Johnson, the first Black prizefighter to win the Heavyweight Boxing Championship, a title he held from 1908 to 1915. But it is also a drama about a […]

“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 […]

Social 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 […]

When 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 […]

Mary 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 […]

Trailblazer: 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 […]