In today’s fast-paced world, mental health stressors weigh heavily on the hearts and minds of women and children alike. Whether it’s the soaring cost of living, the turmoil of politics, or the heartbreaking news of violence hitting close to home, the toll on our collective well-being is undeniable. In this whirlwind, self-care often takes a […]

Beauty standards have changed over the decades, continuously shaping the expectations that society has for women. In the 1910s, the hourglass figure with a cinched waist was de rigueur. In the 1960s, being ultra thin with no curves was all the rage. From the ‘60s to the present, beauty norms have continued to shift. However, […]

Rose Brooks Center held its 37th annual Cabaret on February 25th at Loews Kansas City Hotel. Michelle Emanuel Johnson and Jeff Johnson were the event chairs. Guests enjoyed a special performance by Kansas City native Willis White performing with the Willis White Project. Proceeds support Rose Brooks Center’s mission of breaking the cycle of domestic […]

ROMANtic Revels featured a Roman theme this year, complete with a sword fight scene by HASF actors in appropriate garb, bringing a taste of Julius Caesar to the evening! The February 10th gala was held at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. Partygoers enjoyed cocktails, a gourmet dinner, a silent auction, and dancing. Diana […]

Amy Embry and Carrie McLiney served as the co-chairmen for the Holidays in Crestwood Luncheon, a benefit for the Child Protection Center. The December 1st event was held at Aixois. The cozy and festive day featured a fabulous lunch, shopping, the annual gingerbread house contest, and much fun. Ten percent of sales benefited the mission […]

The Women United group of United Way has 650 members locally, and more than 55,000 globally, and it is open to anyone who donates $1,000 or more annually to United Way. The group was established in 2009 and continues to uplift women and make a positive impact on our area’s youngest residents. Their leadership and […]

Renny Arensberg Having just celebrated her 20th anniversary at KVC Health Systems, Renny Arensberg has no intention of slowing down! Renny comes equipped with a bachelor’s degree from The University of Kansas and a master’s degree in human resources from Central Michigan University, and a lengthy career in human resources, consulting, leadership, and coaching. All […]

Eliza Barr is very forthcoming about using her own experiences to inform her professional duties as the passionate and qualified executive director of Reaching Out From Within. Not familiar with ROFW? It is the non-profit organization created more than 40 years ago by SuEllen Fried, revered philanthropist and civic leader. Long known as an anti-bullying […]

How lucky is Kansas City to have a native daughter return to the metro area to lead the city and a worldwide sports event in one of its finest hours? Very lucky, indeed. Katherine Holland was possibly the only person who could fill these shoes at this time in Our Town’s history. This Pembroke Hill […]

The River Club was the site for the members of the Symphony League of Kansas City’s Holiday Luncheon on December 13th. Outgoing President Linda Stevens passed the gavel to Incoming President Melanie Fenske, while guests enjoyed a festive celebration.        Featured in the March 9, 2024 issue of The Independent.

The Lyric Opera Circle hosted its first New Year’s Eve Party at the historic Hilton President Hotel. Guests celebrated with dinner and dancing in anticipation of the Lyric Opera Ball, to be held on April 20th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown.     Featured in the March 9, 2024 issue […]

Kansas City Ballet’s Bolender Society members enjoyed A Musical Evening with Ramona, featuring the Ballet’s music director, Ramona Pansegrau, on January 18th at the Carriage Club. The evening featured a dessert reception and a program about George Balanchine’s ballet, Jewels, with its captivating music. Guests enjoyed a presentation by Ramona and performances by KCB’s Company […]

The cosmos was full of bright Rising Stars and Top Ten winners, as more than 200 guests gathered to celebrate with The Independent at the 1900 Building on February 22nd. Seven of Our Town’s brilliant denizens were honored as the 2024 Class of Rising Stars, while more than 50 star-studded events were recognized for outstanding […]

Kansas City University would like to celebrate and honor Deron Cherry, co-founder and 30-year benefactor of Score 1 for Health. The program was established in 1993 and provides free health screenings to more than 14,000 elementary school students in Kansas City and Joplin, Missouri. His goal is to give children hope for better and healthier […]

Veronica and Peter Mallouk were the presidents, and Kathy and Jack Newman were the honorary presidents of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’ 50th Annual Snow Ball. More than 2,000 guests gathered at the Overland Park Convention Center for the event, which was held on January 20th. The black-tie evening featured remarks from Lauren Solidum, Catholic […]

Mission Hills Country Club was the site for the Lyric Opera Circle’s celebration of the holiday season on December 7th. The festive event featured a delicious lunch and the introduction of new members, Wendy Burrell, Petra Kralickova, and Alison Patterson. Nancy Schall was the host.        Featured in the February 10, 2024 issue […]

The Carriage Club was the site for Kansas City Ballet Guild’s Nutcracker Luncheon on December 14th. Guild members and Ballet staff celebrated the wonderful holiday season, which was filled with Nutcracker ballet performances. Angela and John Walker were recognized as the 2023 Ballet Guild Pirouette Award winners, and Grace Holmes was toasted for her tenure […]

In the mid 1800s, many who were enslaved traveled through Missouri to Kansas, seeking to escape the bonds of slavery. While Kansas Citians know of Quindaro Boulevard, its namesake was an early Kansas settlement that was integral to the pre-Civil War abolitionist movement. Known today as the Quindaro Ruins, the area is significant to Black […]

Needing medical care is something we all eventually experience. Yet, receiving fair and equal healthcare treatment is not. According to Dr. Jason E. Glenn, associate professor in the department of history and philosophy of medicine at The University of Kansas Medical Center (KU Medical Center), health inequities are most stark in the African American community. […]

  The Prize Imagine being only two years into starting a brand new non-profit organization and receiving the call that you have been selected as a 2022 Pinnacle Prize winner! That is exactly what happened to Brandon Calloway, co-founder of G.I.F.T. – Generating Income For Tomorrow. Knee-deep in a movement to provide grants to Black-owned […]

“There is nothing in here you can’t touch, and if I like it, it ends up here.” Such are the words of an art collector who surrounds himself with pieces that speak to him directly, not because of their perceived value or the potential commerce of the artist’s name. Maurice Watson is pretty sure that […]