Women of Distinction 2018

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Table ofCONTENTS Publisher’s Letter......................................................................... 4 Alexandra Colley....................................................................... 5 Allison Spencer........................................................................... 6 Carole Jean Price...................................................................... 7 Carolyn Slayton Weeks.............................................................. 8 Diane Mack.............................................................................. 10 Emily Crawford......................................................................... 12 Harriett E. Goettel..................................................................... 14 Jacqueline K. Clark.................................................................. 16 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award ������������������������������18 & 19 2018 Woman of the Year................................................22 & 23 Jessica McClellan.................................................................... 24 Jet Green.................................................................................. 25 Karen DeLuccie........................................................................ 26 Lori Ross..................................................................................... 27 Laura Maxwell.......................................................................... 28 Nina Anders.............................................................................. 30 Monica Roberts........................................................................ 32 Patricia Milne............................................................................ 34 Sharon Williams......................................................................... 36 Stephanie Myers....................................................................... 37 2016 Women of Distinction Alumni ���������������������������������������� 38 2017 Women of Distinction Alumni ���������������������������������������� 38

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A note from The Publisher W

e are pleased to present to you this year’s honorees for our Women of Distinction awards. Now in its third year, these awards recognize and celebrate 19 women from Eastern Jackson County for their contributions to the community. This event is a highlight for us every year, and we are excited to see the new honorees added to a growing roster of distinguished women in our community.

Starting last December, we asked our readers to nominate area women to be recognized for their role in shaping our community here in Eastern Jackson County. Readers submit-

ted their picks for women in the region whose passions and achievements have helped to shape our local communities. From all the nominations, we honed the list down to the women that we are celebrating and recognizing as The Examiner’s third year inductees as Women of Distinction. You will find out more about these women here in this special section as we give you a glimpse of just what makes them special to our community.

Each of the honorees has made an impact in the communities that they serve. They are leaders in government, in industry, in philanthropy, in service, and their work has shaped our communities. They are also friends, neighbors and family here in Eastern Jackson County.

Each of the women we are recognizing this year is distinguished in her own right, but a panel of judges also selected one honoree for Woman of the

Year, and this year we have selected, Lynnette Wheeler for this recognition.

With a long nursing career including clinical and management experience, she continues her work in improving the delivery of health care to our community as Chief Operating Officer of TMC Lakewood. She serves as a board member for 12 Blocks West, Truman Heartland Community Foundation, and the Independence Chamber of Commerce.

Wheeler also understands the value of partnerships, working with area organizations to champion community-based training programs to train skilled professionals to help address the staffing demands of the healthcare community.

This year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award is Carol Sue Bass.

Her love for Independence has been a driving force behind her contributions to the community. She was the first woman to serve as the chair of the board of the Independence Chamber

of Commerce, and was a founding board member of the Independence Community Foundation, which later became the Truman Heartland Community Foundation. Her efforts have also helped many other area non-profit organizations get their start besides helping with fundraising to support their missions.

We are also grateful for the support of our sponsors – their partnership makes this event possible for our community. Thank you to Speaks Family Legacy Chapels, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Stewardship Capital, Blue Ridge Bank and Trust and Blue Springs Ford. Special thanks also to our in-kind sponsors, including Costentino’s Sun Fresh, Village Gardens, and Show-Me Presentation Resources.

- Julie Moreno Senior Group Publisher

The Examiner

Crossroads joins in congratulating the 2018 Women of Distinction honorees.

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Alexandra COLLEY St. Mary’s Medical Center

A

bout five years ago, Alexandra Colley took a significant leap of faith professionally, moving more than 1,000 miles from her native Florida to an area where she knew only the person who hired her.

Less than two years later, that link was gone, but Colley still has made her move pay off. The former vice president of marketing and member development at the Independence Chamber of Commerce is now in her second year as marketing and business development manager at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Blue Springs.

My job is to make people shine, make businesses shine,” she said. “I love watching that growth happen.”

She was nominated for Women of Distinction by former Chamber board chairperson Brad Speaks, who described the Chamber’s marketing as a “complete turnaround” with Colley. Now, she is helping with a resurgence of sorts at the hospital in Blue Springs.

In early 2013, she was assistant executive director of the Pensaco-

la Downtown Improvement Board when her former boss, Kim Kimbrough convinced her to join the Chamber staff.

“I’ve always been very, very focused, very career-oriented,” Colley said. “My job was going to be changing pretty dramatically. This was an opportunity I had to take.”

Colley said her biggest obstacle was gaining the trust of a tightknit community where the only person she knew was Kimbrough, who left the Chamber in the fall of 2014.

Whatever issues might have been going on with the Chamber at the time, Colley said, she simply forged ahead, as bad news personally and from family weighed enough on her mind.

Her parents’ house in Florida was hit twice by arsonists, destroying two garages, her own car was totaled while parked at a local restaurant, a close friend drowned and her older sister lost a child shortly after birth.

Still, she left the Chamber in 2016 in a better position than when she joined and has found the “right fit” at St. Mary’s in Blue Springs, helping a valuable community hospital.

“My job is to make other people shine, make businesses shine,” she said. “I love watching that growth happen.”

Colley also contributes as a member of multiple chambers of commerce, Great Plains SPCA,

the Young Independence Professionals, Missouri Association for Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing, American Marketing Association and Kansas City Healthcare Communicators Society and as a board member

March of Dimes Young Professionals and the Child Abuse Prevention Association.

“I’ve really fallen in love with the area, Eastern Jackson County and the Kansas City metro in general.”

March 23, 2018 | Women of Distinction Awards

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Allison

SPENCER

Kansas City Infertility Awareness Foundation

B

y coping with a personal struggle for her and her husband, Allison Spencer helped start a movement that has helped numerous couples in the Kansas City metro area deal with that same struggle.

Spencer, an educator by trade who is an assistant middle school prin-

cipal in the Blue Springs School District, is former president and co-founder of Kansas City Infertility Awareness Foundation. The non-profit group has hosted an annual conference since 2011 to help couples affected by infertility learn about numerous available family-building options, including adoption.

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Spencer and three friends started KCIA Foundation after they had been part of support group started by Spencer three years earlier.

Allison and Dustin Spencer married in 2004, and after a few years she had not conceived, despite several methods of treatment. With the blessing of their church, Timothy Lutheran in Blue Springs, she started a Christian-based infertility support group for Timothy and the community. Sisters of Hannah was formed in 2009, named for the Biblical wife who had been childless until pleading to God, promising that her son would be given in service to God. After more than three years, Spencer felt called to expand the scope of infertility awareness around the metro area. Three other core members who had become close friends, Nicolle Hays, Meagan Stach and Tami Lewis, readily agreed to stay on.

The first KCIA Foundation conference was attended by more than 200 husbands and wives – with free registration – and it annually has doctors and other professionals in the infertility field volunteer to speak and make presentations. KCIA also has since started several fundraisers and solicited charitable donations to help fund monthly support groups, seminars and grants to help some couples with their infertility journeys.

During this whole time, Spencer continued with her teaching career and has been part of several groups and organization in connection with that.

Oh, and yes, she eventually did conceive in 2012, and she and Dustin have a son.

Spencer and original Sisters of Hannah recently stepped aside from their roles with KCIA to support new leadership that continues the group’s work.

“Her example,” she said, “kept me focused on the goal of providing support to our followers.”

“Allison puts thought and prayer into her work and life,” Hays said.

“These were evident in her work as KCIA President. She is willing to work hard to achieve her purposes, but she doesn’t do anything without a plan.

She seeks God’s guidance in those plans, and with those two things she is very successful.”

Spencer said her mother’s positive attitude was crucial during her infertility journey, and now as a mother herself she better appreciates the homework-church balance her mother cheerfully maintained.

“Her example,” she said, “kept me focused on the goal of providing support to our followers.”

Carole Jean Price Community of Christ

W

hen she first started volunteering with her husband Jerry, Carole Price thought she was making a commitment for one year.

Fifteen years later Price is still going strong, helping people in any way she can.

That ongoing service is why she is being recognized as one of the 2018 Women of Distinction.

She started at the Hawthorne Unit of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kansas City in Independence with Jerry, who passed away nearly 3 1/2 years ago as he was preparing to volunteer himself at an Independence Boys and Girls Club after-school event.

“People care, and if you point out a need to them, they’ll step up to the plate and help you fill that need.”

“The church told my husband and I that we’d just like to have you commit to being here for a year,” said Price, now a part-time outreach minister with the Community of Christ Central Mission Center.

“We don’t want you to just come in and not stick to it. And I always

laugh at that, because that’s been pretty close to 15 years ago now.

“I think we filled that commitment, I really do,” she added with a laugh.

And then some.

She coordinates the annual Hawthorne Coat Drive fund raiser and giveaway, one duty she is especially happy to perform. She also runs the Hawthorne Place Pizza Church, which is dinner and Bible activities for adults and children every Thursday. She is the J.A.M. (Jesus And Me) program coordinator at Hawthorne Place and the Independence Boys and Girls Club. She helps with senior citizens luncheons at Hawthorne Place and has countless other volunteer opportunities helping the needy, elderly and schoolchildren.

“Carole is a very caring, loving, and compassionate person,” wrote Dave Harris, the administrative pastor for New Walnut Park Community of Christ church who nominated Price along with Kelley and Connie Smith, Ken and Cheryl Schoff, Paula Burgess and Joyce Harris. “She will do whatever is in her power to help a fellow person, young and old, who are in need.

You can see her involvement in our Independence, Sugar Creek, Fairmount area by looking at her list above. I have had the chance to look at her monthly calendar and I would say that many full-time executives do not carry this heavy a load.”

Price has been responsible for helping more than 1,000 needy persons get a new coat in the annual coat drive, including 375 distributed this year alone after just a handful at the start.

“It makes you feel really, really good, it honestly does,” she said of seeing someone receive a new free coat. “It makes you feel really good that you could be a small part of that. “... That’s what brings you joy in life is reaching out and helping other people. And it also helps keep you from feeling sorry for yourself.

Volunteering will keep you young and give you purpose.”

Price said her mission, in addition to her volunteering, is seeing that volunteerism spreads.

“It grows from there because if you’re out among people you keep seeing the need,” Price said.

“And it really isn’t that difficult to fill some of them (volunteer positions).

You know people who can help with whatever’s needed. It’s just a matter of caring and trying to find contacts.

“People care, and if you point out a need to them, they’ll step up to the plate and help you fill that need.”

Just like Carole Price.

March 23, 2018 | Women of Distinction Awards

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Carolyn

Slayton Weeks

Executive Assistant to Independence Mayor (Ret.)

F

or Carolyn Weeks, it’s all about connections and contributions.

“It’s really important that you stay involved with people,” she says.

Weeks has been involved in civic affairs and other volunteer

work in Independence for decades, going back to working for the adoption of the city’s current charter in the early 1960s, cleaning up years of corruption and having the city more professionally managed. To this day, she remains active with the local political group

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Citizens for Effective Leadership.

“Probably what drives people into community work is they see a need,” she says.

That drive has led her to serve in a variety of places and roles, including the board of the Committee for County Progress, the city’s Bicentennial Commission in 1976, the Japanese Sister City Commission, the League of Women Voters, the board of the former Independence Community Foundation, the board of the Independence Plan for Neighborhood Councils (and was given that group’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993), the board of the Three Trails Elementary School PTA, the board of the Van Horn Patrons Association, the American Association of University Women (and was given that group’s Woman of Achievement award in 1993), and the board of the Jackson County mental health levy.

“I still have a relationship with many of the people I worked with,” she said.

She also was an executive assistant in the mayor’s office for 16 years, under Mayors Dick King and Barbara Potts.

The city won the All American City Award twice in the 1980s, and Weeks was involved in that.

She’s been a YouthFriend volunteer in the Independence schools

and been through the Chamber of Commerce L.E.A.D. program.

She’s been a Jackson County Democratic committeewoman and has been on the board of the Good Government League.

“I still have a relationship with many of the people I worked with,” she said. She also was an executive assistant in the mayor’s office for 16 years, under Mayors Dick King and Barbara Potts.

“We just need really responsible people in government,” she says.

Her ties to her community and region run deep, having attended William Chrisman High School, Graceland College and the University of Kansas. She and her husband, Lysle, have four children and five grandchildren. And she’s still involved. She’s recently become an active member of Grandparents Against Gun Violence.

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Diane MACK

Jackson County’s Family Week Foundation

D

iane Mack is passionate about assisting those with special needs.

She was supposed to give birth to twin girls in 1976, but one died and the other survived as a premature baby. Few hospitals at the time had a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

“I saw the parents sleeping in the car and I wanted to do something,” Diane said. “I had three babies in one year and they were all premature.”

That’s when she decided to form a parent support group in Fresno, California, called Neofight, a non-profit organization. She eventually got enough money to bring RVs for parents to stay in until their babies got out of the NICU. She also started a Ronald McDonald house so families could stay on the hospital grounds.

Diane has lived in eight states and now resides in Blue Springs, and is still helping those with special needs, including her 41-year old daughter who is cognitively delayed and has Cerebral Palsy.

She helped form a support group called Company of Champions, which helped adults and children with special needs.

“When they get older, there is not enough insurance,” Diane said. “One parent is a full-time caregiver and the other parent is trying to bring in the money for two. It’s really rough. I thought we needed to help them.”

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So through the Company of Champions non-profit organization, Diane helped organize events to gather families of people with special needs. Because of her involvement with this – among other community contributions – Diane is a 2018 Women of Distinction.

Her non-profit has helped provide these families with clothing and food. The organization holds get-togethers that involved Bingo and other games.

“Those who come to our events are like my family. My life has been blessed.

I don’t get paid for this. This is where my heart is.”

“We started with about 50 people attending our events,” Mack said. “Our last event in October had over 1,000 there. I also get Royals tickets for them and we also do swimming and movie nights. We just wanted them to enjoy themselves and take away that stress. … It’s pretty rough.

“Those who come to our events are like my family. My life has been blessed. I don’t get paid for this.

This is where my heart is.”

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Congratulations and THANK YOU to the 2018 Women of Distinction honorees who continue to make a positive impact within the Eastern Jackson County community!

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Emily

Crawford

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OA Creative, LLC

mily Crawford says it’s important to give back more than you have received.

“I’m just a big proponent of being part of the solution,” she says.

She founded OA Creative in 2007 and remains its CEO and more recently founded OA Merch and Lefty Lucy. OA Creative was the Independence Economic Development Council’s emerging business of the year in 2016, and she’s won top awards in social media and community awareness from the Travel Industry Association of Kansas.

Crawford has put those marketing, promotional and organizational skills to use for a wide variety of local causes, including the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army of Eastern Jackson County, Hillcrest Ministries, the Community Services League, the United Way of Greater Kansas City and the Kansas City Regional Destination Alliance.

She was a mentor in the former YouthFriends program in the Independence School District.

“There are certain programs that tug at my heartstrings,” she says.

She writes that her mentor was her orchestra teacher at Lee’s Summit High School, Kirt Mosier, who “never tolerated lukewarm outcomes, and always challenged me to do more and be more; guiding me to become the absolute

12 Women of Distinction Awards | March 23, 2018

best version of myself in all situations.”

“There are certain programs that tug at my heartstrings,” she says.

She writes that her mentor was her orchestra teacher at Lee’s Summit High School, Kirt Mosier, who “never tolerated lukewarm outcomes, and always challenged me to do more and be more; guiding me to become the absolute best version of myself in all situations.”

She’s also found time to help with such things as serving on the advisory board for the Independence School District’s store, All Things Independence, on the Square.

“I just kind of enjoy giving back,” she says.

Congratulations to all of the 2018 Women of Distinction Honorees!

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Harriett E. Goettel

Adult Facilitator of the Truman Heartland Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council

H

arriett “Henri” Goettel doesn’t just live in Independence.

She makes it a better

place.

The former principal at Procter Elementary School hadn’t planned on retiring from the Independence School District in 2003. However, financial burdens cast a dark cloud

over districts throughout the state, forcing mandatory budget cuts.

She accepted an early retirement offer, but knew that retirement was not on the horizon.

No, in fact, it meant that Goettel was going to find a way to make an impact on even more lives than she influenced during her memorable 20-year career at Procter.

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She has dedicated her life to serving others, especially the children and youth of the community.

“I was absolutely floored when I heard that I had been named a Woman of Distinction,” Goettel said. “I have never done anything to receive recognition. There just seems to be so many ways to help our youth, and that is why I have dedicated a part of my life to that cause.”

As principal at Procter, Goettel addressed the needs of students in a community challenged by poverty, transience and low expectations. She guided her staff to transform Procter’s environment into a more learning-friendly one.

By the time she retired in 2003, Goettel was a district administrator for the Independence Public Schools, leading the Office of Student Success. The programs she implemented there included a truancy court to address the causes of excessive absenteeism in the district.

She received the Educator’s Award from the Milken Family Foundation in 1996. This national award is based on exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school.

But that is just the tip of the iceberg when talking about Henri Goettel.

For the past 20 years she has

dedicated countless hours to the Truman Heartland Community Foundation in her role as volunteer coordinator of the Youth Advisory Council. She helped create a program for Eastern Jackson County teenagers that helps them gain leadership skills, while practicing philanthropy.

“I have never done anything to receive recognition. There just seems to be so many ways to help our youth, and that is why I have dedicated a part of my life to that cause. “ “Henri is an extraordinary volunteer for us,” said Phil Hanson, president and CEO of the foundation. “If we didn’t have Henri, the program wouldn’t be happening.

It couldn’t be done without her involvement and enthusiasm.”

Goettel always places others in the spotlight while she stands on the sidelines. And that truly makes this woman of distinction a role model we all can emulate.

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Jacqueline K. Clark Ash Grove Cement

J

ackie Clark is on the move.

Her job as director of governmental relations and community affairs for Ash Grove Cement takes her to Jef-

ferson City and other state capitals, where she makes the case for states doing something about crumbling roads and other infrastructure needs.

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“It is a challenge. There are thoughtful legislators. They understand the need,” she says.

She’s a relatively new member of the Lee’s Summit Board of Education.

“I’ve been very impressed with how collaborative we are as board members,” she says.

And then there are the long-running commitments to other causes, such as her 20 years of involvement with Hope House, including time on its board. Hope House has for many years had a shelter in Independence for women and children who have been subjected to domestic violence.

Several years ago, a Lee’s Summit shelter was added.

“The need in Lee’s Summit early on was not recognized,” she says, adding that the board saw a need. “… It was just compelling that something had to be done.”

She says she looks up to both British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and President Harry Truman as leaders with common sense, who stayed connected to everyday people and who put service above self.

She says in her career she’s often found herself as the only woman in the room or one of few, but the guidance and example of other women have helped. She became the first woman to chair a committee in the Portland Cement Association, her industry’s 100-year-old trade group.

She helped lead the bi-state tax effort that saved Union Station

and added Science City, she’s been on the boards of the American Heart Association, Quality Hill Playhouse, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Johnson County Community College. And in 2007 she was approved by the Vatican to be a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem – she is now a lady commander with star, the second highest rank – a group that supports Christian organizations in Jerusalem.

“The need in Lee’s Summit early on was not recognized,” she says, adding that the board saw a need. “ … It was just compelling that something had to be done.”

She’s also a past president of the University of Missouri Alumni Association international board of directors and co-founded the greater Kansas City chapter’s annual Tiger Ball, which has raised about $500,000 for scholarships. She says if young people are inclined to go to college, then others should help them.

Truman Medical Centers and University Health congratulate

Lynette M. Wheeler, DNP, RN, FABC Chief Operating Officer of TMC Lakewood

For being recognized as one of the

2018 Women of Distinction March 23, 2018 | Women of Distinction Awards

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2018 Lifetime Achievement AWARD

Photography by Freeland Photography

18 Women of Distinction Awards | March 23, 2018

Carol Sue Bass

Truman Heartland Community Foundation

C

arol Sue Bass tells the sto- three children and two step-children, ry of her first time at an In- Bass became the first woman chair dependence Chamber of the Chamber of Commerce. of Commerce meeting in She later was a founding mem1973. ber of the Independence CommuShe was the only woman in the nity Foundation, now the Truman room along with about 20 men.

Heartland Community Foundation, “I always tell that story because I which helps private donors support was almost traumatized at the time,” charities and the public good.

Bass, who was senior vice president/ “I think she’s certainly been one director of marketing and public re- of the folks who’s paved the way lations for two decades at Standard for a lot of other women in the comBank & Trust, told The Examiner in munity,” said Phil Hanson, the THCF 2010. “We left the luncheon, and I president and CEO who has worked said to my boss, ‘This is a man’s orga- alongside Bass in many endeavors. nization.’ He just shrugged his shoul- “She’s certainly blazed a trail for othders and said, ‘Well, you’ll just have er women and has continued to be to change that.’” a contributor post-retirement and just She then added with a laugh, “I never seems to slow down. ... It’s a thought, ‘Yeah, right! Not in my life- great pick.” time is that going to happen.’”

Bass, a 1958 William Chrisman High School graduate, has not only helped several charitable and phil“I learned early in life anthropic foundations in the area, but helped them get started, includto not be afraid to try ing the Sunshine Center, Hope House the Jackson County Free Health (and) to reach out for and Clinic. She served on the board of something better.” directors and was the Hope House benefit’s first chairwoman.

Bass served on the Sunshine CenIt happened and it has hap- ter’s board of directors from 1986 to pened over and over again since 1995, and was chairwoman in 1994. then. Bass has been “the first wom- The center, now a part of the Indean” to do many things in Indepen- pendence School District, serves childence and Eastern Jackson County dren ages birth to 5 years in speech, over the years. For that reason and physical and occupational therapy. the barriers she’s knocked down, she In addition, she has been an is the Women of Distinction Lifetime event coordinator for the Rotary Achievement Award winner for 2018. Club of Independence “Carnival,” In addition to being a rare female which supports local charities and vice president of a bank and raising Rotary International’s efforts to erad-

Photography by Freeland Photography

icate polio worldwide. She has cochaired a fashion show fundraiser for the Community Services League and has assisted with the CSL’s Christmas projects for many years.

She also serves on the committee for Truman Heartland’s Toast of Our Towns Gala, which recognizes the citizens of the year from each of the Eastern Jackson County communities plus a Humanitarian of the Year and a Corporate Citizen of the Year.

In 2006, the Chamber of Commerce honored Carol Sue with its Lifetime Member Award. She was recognized recently by Truman Heartland for her work with that organization.

Hanson said she was an invaluable resource when he took over Truman Heartland.

“When I came on board she was extremely helpful and introduced me to a number of people over time and she’s always been extremely supportive of me and the work we’re doing here at the foundation,” he said. “She always been a good cheerleader for what we’re doing.

And she’s always a lot of fun to have around too. She’s got a great sense of humor, and it’s always fun to have Carol Sue involved with something.”

Bass, a cancer survivor, said she learned her drive from her hero, her mother, Ruth Mikes.

“I learned early in life to not be afraid to try (and) to reach out for something better.”

And she’s made the Eastern Jackson County community better for it.

March 23, 2018 | Women of Distinction Awards

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2018 Woman of the Year AWARD

22 Women of Distinction Awards | March 23, 2018

Lynette M. Wheeler Truman Medical Center - Lakewood

L

ynette Wheeler says servant leaders make a difference.

“There is no better reward than working with people and providing service,” she says.

Wheeler, a nurse for 42 years and an administrator for much of that time, has been the chief operating officer of Truman Medical Center Lakewood for three years.

She also is involved in community groups that include the Truman Heartland Community Foundation, the Independence and Lee’s Summit chambers of commerce, the Stone Church Neighborhood Dinner in Independence, 12 Blocks West in Independence, the Independence Civic Council and the Greater Lee’s Summit Healthcare Foundation.

“You have to be dedicated… But what you get back, sometimes I can’t put it into words. It’s so rewarding. It’s so gratifying.”

“It’s one way I can give back to my profession. … I believe in servant leadership,” she says.

Her nursing story goes way back. When she was very young, she was badly burned.

“And I spent my fifth birthday in the hospital,” she says.

The nurses made sure it was a special day, including giving her a nurse hat to wear.

“And I wore that nurse hat all day long, and I was hooked,” she says.

A lifelong learner, she has built upon her bachelor’s degree in nursing with a master’s in nursing administration and, two years ago from the University of Kansas, a doctorate in nursing practice with an emphasis on organizational leadership.

Here’s how that last one happened. A grant came in and additional money was raised for ongoing nursing education, but some of it was going unused. The usual sentiment was, I’m too old for school.

Wheeler will have none of that.

She enrolled.

“I was trying to role model to staff that you’re never too old to go to school,” she says.

She also regularly has the chance to be a mentor to many young women.

“I’m honest with them. It isn’t an easy career,” she says. “You have to be dedicated. … But what you get back, sometimes I can’t put it into words. It’s so rewarding.

It’s so gratifying.”

Nursing has many advantages.

If you don’t like one area – longterm care, clinical practice, many others – move to another. If you need to go part time for a length

of time for family or other reasons, you can do that.

“It’s pretty flexible and adaptable,” she says.

Asked about the community’s biggest challenges, Wheeler immediately mentions funding for good programs but also adds transportation – particularly for health care workers – and education. TMC works with several school districts to expose students to the idea of a career in, among other things, nursing.

It was Wheeler and others, including the Community Services League, 12 Blocks West and Metropolitan Community Colleges, that in 2016 year found grant money for a dozen Independence women to go through weeks of training to become certified nursing aides. Each

completed the program and had a job offer from TMC Lakewood with better pay than what they had before – and benefits such as health coverage, a major issue for women raising children.

It was also an example of local groups collaborating and tangibly improving life for several families.

A couple of those CNAs have stayed on in Lakewood’s long-term care facility – “It’s a special calling for long-term care,” Wheeler says – and several more are working to become RNs or LPNs. That was the goal: Give women training for a better job and a more solid economic footing with the idea that many would continue working up the career ladder.

“That’s what’s so rewarding,” Wheeler said.

March 23, 2018 | Women of Distinction Awards

23

Jessica

M Clellan c

Giving Hope & Help

J

essica McClellan is a difference maker.

The founder and president of Giving Hope & Help is a tireless worker who founded a charitable organization that pro-

vides feminine hygiene products to domestic violence survivors in shelters, gives hope to cancer patients through her LOVE Bags 4 Cancer program and sends low-income students off to college with

24 Women of Distinction Awards | March 23, 2018

free laptops, a mentoring program throughout college and bed ‘n bags – new sheets to make them feel special and comfortable in their new environment.

She has also shipped sanitary napkins and tampons globally to natural disaster victims. Those are the least donated item and her organization has been able to effectively and passionately address this issue.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Southern University and A & M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She received a Master’s of Science in Business Management, from Baker University-Baldwin City, Kansas.

McClellan is a member of Harvest Church International Outreach and has always had a heart to help others through her community outreach.

“This whole experience has been a God thing,” said McClellan, a motivational speaker who travels throughout the Midwest bringing a message of hope to residents of women’s shelters, childrens and teen homes and church events.

“I wanted to help, so I called Hope House, a local home for battered women, and the first place I called, I got a recording. So I pulled over to the side of the road in Lee’s Summit, and made another call. This time, I got an answer, a human voice. I asked for directions and the woman asked where I was.

“You won’t believe this – but I was right across the street from the house! Right across the street.

If that’s not a God thing, I don’t know what is.”

“This whole experience has been a God thing,” said McClellan.

That was five years ago. She launched Giving Hope & Help on her birthday back in November of 2013. She hosted The Thanksgiving Birthday Give - Feminine Hygiene Product Drive in honor of her birthday to collect feminine hygiene products. Over 5,000 products were donated by friends, family, businesses and the community to support survivors of domestic violence at Hope House. The drive is now an annual event. Its ultimate goal is to supply feminine hygiene products across the globe to deliver to survivors of natural disasters, while continuing to support domestic violence shelters.

She has also sent more than 15 low-income students to college with laptop computers and provided cancer patients throughout the metro with LOVE Bags 4 Cancer bags that include toiletries and inspirational items.

To find out more, go to givinghopeandhelp.org.

Jet Green J

A Thyme for Everything

et Green says she’s always had “a love everything cooking.”

“I read cookbooks like novels,” she said, more truthfully than jokingly.

Her culinary career included work in a tea room and as an administrator at The American in Crown Center. But a business that she started in 2006 and transformed through the years before selling it last year probably qualifies as her career highlight.

“I felt very, very blessed that I could do that,” Green said.

“I did that for over half the time I was in the business. These kids learn so many skills.”

Green is the former owner of A Thyme For Everything, a downtown Lee’s Summit business that offers gourmet and specialty kitchen products and cooking classes, and new owner Marilyn James has continued the basic business model, as well as the community outreach efforts Green had conducted.

“It was just time (to pass it on),”

Green said of selling her business to a former employee. “I had put a lot of years into it.”

Green’s idea to start A Thyme For Everything came after visiting a similar shop on the Independence Square and thinking she could run a place like that.

“But retail’s never easy,” she said. “I taught myself how to do a lot of things. I just had an interest in cooking.”

One day Green met a pair of women who author cookbooks.

They offered to come to her store for a book signing and teaching a cooking class for customers.

Green thought it would be a problem that she didn’t have kitchen.

“But they said, ‘Our cookbook is all about slow cookers and panini grills,” Green said. “It just snowballed from there.”

She realized a market for a variety of one-session cooking classes, and customers have been taught at “Thyme” by cookbook authors, area restaurateurs and culinary instructors.

“It brought in a completely different clientele,” she said. “It was a definitely a blessing, and definitely a different direction.”

Green started volunteering with the downtown association, and in 2012 she was awarded Small Business of the Year from Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street and the Missouri Main Street Association Business of Excellence

Award. In 2015, the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce named “Thyme” small business of the year.

Green, who remarried less than two years ago after losing her first husband to cancer, worked with the food pantry at Abundant Life Baptist Church to donate extra food products. Also, for years she partnered with the Lee’s Summit

School District to host students with autism and teach them basic job and social skills. Both initiatives continue under new ownership.

“I felt very, very blessed that I could do that,” Green said. “I did that for over half the time I was in the business. These kids learn so many skills.”

March 23, 2018 | Women of Distinction Awards

25

Karen DeLuccie DeLuccie & O’Hara Law Offices, LLC

J

oe O’Hara says his wife has always looked for a way to help others, whether it be their two children’s school, families with legal cases, their neighborhood or the community at large.

Much of the inspiration for that ideal came from Karen DeLuccie’s

late grandmother Geneva, who lived 105 years before she died in 2001. With a fifth-grade education, she she worked multiple jobs as her family’s primary income source, worked in a get-out-the-vote committee after the 19th Amendment for women’s suffrage and never missed a chance to feed someone

26 Women of Distinction Awards | March 23, 2018

in need or care for a sick neighbor.

“She always thought you should work hard on your own two feet, and she did,” said DeLuccie, a longtime local attorney who carved a niche in family law and was elected to the Independence City Council in 2014 after serving 14 years on the Planning Commission.

“She always said, do your best at whatever you put your mind to.

She was my biggest cheerleader.”

DeLuccie settled in Independence after earning her law degree from UMKC in 1982. She originally desired to be a prosecutor, “but there was nothing available.”

A local firm had an opening in family law, and she took it.

“It was very stable,” she said.

During her law career, she has been a fellow with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers since 1988, helped establish the Independence Youth Court – a diversion program that continues today – in 1985, helped draft and promote the Special Master Rules of the Jackson County Circuit Court (1996) and fought for the Family Court Bill that became state law in 1993, which helped cut case times from up to two years to less than a year. With the Special Master Rules, families can, based on evidence taken, receive orders from a judge on a pending case.

It allowed for families to get some immediate help from the court rather than wait up to a year for

final rulings.

“Back in the 80s and 90s, it took such a long time to get cases through family court,” DeLuccie said.

“We saw we could make a difference.”

“Back in the 80s and 90s, it took such a long time to get cases through family court,” DeLuccie said. “We saw we could make a difference.”

DeLuccie also has been a longtime Chamber of Commerce member, and as such she she helped establish the Susquehanna Neighborhood Improvement District that led to sidewalks, streetlights and buried power lines for several miles along U.S. 24.

In a way, much of DeLuccie’s service has been a tribute to Geneva.

“She instilled in Karen the realization that there is a long view to life and a belief that kindness is strength,” said O’Hara, who also is DeLuccie’s law partner. “You work as hard as you can, you do the best you can and you leave the thanks for others to collect.”

Lori ROSS Foster Adopt Connect

I

t started with their oldest daughter, born to Randy and Lori Ross in 1984. A year later, they took in their first foster child, a 6-year-old whom they added permanently three years later with her adoption.

Thirteen years later, Lori Ross started working with other foster parents to form a support network for fostering families.

“Lori Ross has dedicated her life to improving the lives of our community’s most in-need children,” her nominator said.

From those humble beginnings, the Rosses have raised five birth daughters and 23 more children they adopted from foster care systems in Missouri and Kansas, and they have cared for more than 400 children in foster care over the past 31 years.

Meanwhile, that support network blossomed into the non-profit social service organization FosterAdopt Connect, which has headquarters in Independence and more than 140 staff members, and

branch offices in Olathe, Kansas, and in Springfield and Cameron, Missouri. In the past four years alone it has increased staff by 370 percent and revenues by more than 200 percent.

Her work with policymakers has helped produce the Foster Parent Bill of Rights in Missouri (2006) and the position of foster care ombudsman within the Kansas Department of Children and Families (2014). With the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition of St. Louis, she convinced the state of Missouri to provide post-adoption funding assistance that includes respite care, advocacy, family programs and support groups for children.

For all her efforts inside and outside of the home to improve the lives of the regions’ most in-need children, Ross was nominated this year for Women of Distinction.

Ross has worked with the North American Council on Adoptable Children as a consultant in their Community Champions Network.

Among the honors she’s received for her work: Adoption Activist Award from the North American Council on Adoptable Children (2006), and the Angels in Adoption Award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (2016). She also participates on numerous child welfare related task forces and boards and in 2014

was appointed by the Department of Social Services and the Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice as co-chair for the Missouri Task Force on Children’s Justice. She continues to serve on that task force.

“Lori Ross has dedicated her life to improving the lives of our community’s most in-need children,” her nominator said. “On both personal and professional levels, Lori has served as a tireless

and vocal advocate for foster and adoptive families and the children in their care.

“She has made it her personal mission in life to educate everyone she meets about the need for the state and community to provide support and assistance to families who foster and adopt children who have experienced the trauma of abuse and neglect.”

March 23, 2018 | Women of Distinction Awards

27

Laura

Maxwell Lee’s Summit School District

L

aura Maxwell describes her life as vanilla.

She hasn’t experienced any major physical or professional obstacles or crises, but she

uses the life experience she has to learn and grow.

Her involvement in the community in Eastern Jackson County has been anything but vanilla, how-

28 Women of Distinction Awards | March 23, 2018

ever, as she has been a big contributor to the education system at the Lee’s Summit School District for 25 years and has been a part of a handful of non-profit organizations in Lee’s Summit, which is why she is a 2018 Woman of Distinction.

“It is truly an honor to have even been nominated for this recognition,” Maxwell said. “There are so many incredible women in Eastern Jackson County, and I am humbled to be included in this group of ladies.”

She currently is the director of Partners in Education and library and media services, two programs that serve all 27 Lee’s Summit Schools. The program connects more than 200 local businesses to the schools.

Maxwell has been a part of many non-profit organizations including Lee’s Summit Optimist Club, Lee’s Summit Rotary Club, the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, Eastland Giving Circle and Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce.

She also is currently serving as vice president of the board of directors for Saint Luke’s East Hospital and has been the lead of the committee for the BooBall for the past 10 years.

Maxwell is a part of the core planning team for Mantels and Martinis, which is a fund raiser to support the Special Olympics. In

2017, the group raised more than $40,000 to support the travel and associated costs for those participating in the Special Olympics at a state and national level.

“It is truly an honor to have even been nominated for this recognition,” Maxwell said. “There are so many incredible women in Eastern Jackson County, and I am humbled to be included in this group of ladies.”

“As an educator, I’ve always had a passion for serving others,” she said. “When I transitioned from the classroom into an administrative role and gained a broader understanding of the collaborative culture and our community, I was compelled to serve even more.

It’s a privilege to be able to engage with a number of community groups seeking to make Lee’s Summit and Eastern Jackson County better.”

SA

U K E ’ S CO N G R AT U L L T AT IN

ES

Laura Maxwell

2018 WOMAN OF DISTINCTION

Laura Maxwell has provided thousands of volunteer hours over the past 10 years and has generously shared her passion, commitment, and leadership to support Saint Luke’s East Hospital by serving as the Board of Directors’ Vice President, Chair of the Professional Affairs Committee, and a member of the Saint Luke’s Health System quality board.

Thank you and congratulations!

saintlukeskc.org

March 23, 2018 | Women of Distinction Awards

29

Nina Anders Scandinavia Place

P

lease, don’t ask Nina Anders about the multitude of awards and honors she has received over the past 30

years.

The owner of Scandinavia Place, an anchor store on the Independence Square for the past three decades, will just squirm.

“I think awards are overrated,” said Anders, who is indeed a Woman of Distinction. “Look at Mother’s Day. Such an overrated holiday.

Why should you be honored for being a mother when our teachers, nurses and the people who really make a difference in people’s lives don’t have a day? That’s just how I feel.”

So, how does she feel about being named a Woman of Distinction?

“Well, I am so honored,” she said, with a touch of reverence in her voice. “But once again, what did I do to deserve this honor? I

30 Women of Distinction Awards | March 23, 2018

just show up every day and meet and greet people and honestly, I feel like I have the best job in the world.”

When asked if she helped break the glass ceiling by becoming one of the first women to own their own business on The Square, she searched for an answer.

“Actually, I think Shirley Baker owned the Courthouse Exchange before I opened Scandinavia Place,” she explained. “Bill and Shirley opened it, but Shirley ran it.

I remember back when I opened Scandinavia Place. The Square was a lot different back then. There were a lot of individual businesses owned by individuals.

“Now, there are only a few businesses like mine, and I am so thankful to have been here 30 years.

I owe our success to all our great customers, and I am including tourists. I wouldn’t be here without tourists. I want them to come in, feel at home, feel welcome and enjoy our bright and cheerful store.”

When she is not greeting customers at Scandinavia Place, she is a member and former president of the Independence Square Merchants Association and Board of Directors, member of the Independence Chamber of Commerce where she served on the Board of Directors, member of the Independence Tourism Board, member and former president of Kiwanis, member of the Independence

Parks and Recreation Board, and a diplomat for the Truman Medical Center - Lakewood.

She and her husband Ira were

“I am so very lucky,” she said, doing her best to point the spotlight of attention in another direction.

“I love my community, I take and read - the local paper and enjoy giving back to my community.” recognized as a Citizens of the Year by the Truman Heartland Community Foundation and she received the Brian and Sharon Snyder Historical Preservation Award for restoration of 207-209 N. Main St., which is the Scandinavia Place gift shop and has received the Harry S. Truman Commission Award.

“I am so very lucky,” she said, doing her best to point the spotlight of attention in another direction. “I love my community, I take - and read - the local paper and enjoy giving back to my community.”

March 23, 2018 | Women of Distinction Awards

31

Monica Roberts Healing Pathway Victim Service Agency

M

onica Roberts remem“Children whose parents are bers a horrific incident killed are a unique, and overfrom her childhood like looked group. What resources are it happened only yester- available for children facing this day. situation? There certainly aren’t as When she was 8 years old, the many resources as you will find for estranged father of her best friend adults. These children need help, returned to the family home one they need to be surrounded by day and killed his former wife. love, and that is what we try to do “It changed me, and I know it with Healing Pathway.” changed my friend,” said Roberts, She started the non-profit an executive at Cerner who start- group in 2011. She meets with law ed the non-profit Healing Pathway enforcement officials and repreVictim Service Agency. sentatives of the court system to

32 Women of Distinction Awards | March 23, 2018

get the names of children who lost a parent to violence.

Each year she makes sure these kids have a great Christmas by working with area businesses and volunteers to find out what the children want for the holiday season and then making sure their wish list becomes a reality.

“We have so many wonderful individual and business volunteers,” said Roberts, who was getting ready to meet with a 5-year-old, who lost a parent to homicide. “This past Christmas, we had the names of 102 children and around 90 showed up for our Christmas party.”

Her ability to pull a community together and impact the lives of the forgotten victims of homicide makes Roberts a Woman of Distinction.

“Our Christmas parties are pretty amazing,” she said. “Mayor Sly James has attended, the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders make an appearance, Sporting KC is involved – there is so much love at our party it is overwhelming.”

When asked about the influential people in her life, she names her mother, who is battling cancer.

“She is so strong, and such an inspiration to me and everyone she meets,” Roberts said. “I gain strength and inspiration from her.”

She also gains strength and inspiration from the hundreds of young people she has helped over

the past five years.

“Children whose parents are killed are a unique, and overlooked group.

What resources are available for children facing this situation?

There certainly aren’t as many resources as you will find for adults. These children need help, they need to be surrounded by love, and that is what we try to do with Healing Pathway.”

“The Christmas parties are great, and we make sure to take a birthday cake to each of our kiddoes on their birthdays each year,” Roberts said, “and we want to expand our program to include mentoring and therapy. We want to have a positive influence in their lives.”

Congratulations to the

2018 Women of Distinction Honorees!

[

]

“In science, fusion is the process of merging atoms together to create energy. In Eastern Jackson County, the 20 Women of Distinction are our local fusion, the combination of strength and sheer determination to make our communities great. All of us at Blue Springs Ford congratulate you and thank you for all that you do.� -Bob Balderston, Owner

www.BlueSpringsFord.com

March 23, 2018 | Women of Distinction Awards

33

Patrica MILNE Grain Valley School District

W

hen Pat Milne began her career with the Grain Valley School District in 1978, there were 62 employees and 769 students.

When she retired in December of 2017, the district had been served by seven superintendents, and now has 625 employees and 4,300 students. Few people can come close to seeing that much

change over a career, and that makes Milne a Woman of Distinction.

“Over the past 40 years, I have raised two children who graduated from the Grain Valley School District and I have seen so much growth and development,” Milne said. “I began as a secretary at the only elementary school in Grain Valley back in 1978, Matthews Ele-

34 Women of Distinction Awards | March 23, 2018

mentary School, and was soon the secretary to then superintendent Dr. Marvin Headley.

“I would say that Dr. Headley and Dr. Marc Snow, who is now the superintendent, were two men who had a great influence on my life. They were so caring and knowledgeable and really loved the community and our schools. Back when I started, we had Matthews Elementary, the middle school and the high school.

“The growth Grain Valley has experienced over the past 40 years is just remarkable. And what is even more remarkable is that the growth of the community has not led to any problems with overcrowding at the schools – and my goodness, there are so many schools now and they are all wonderful.”

Milne soon led the business department for the students and staff of the Grain Valley School District during a period of significant student growth.

In the early days of her career, she established processes to ensure the district’s financial stability, starting out with handwritten ledger sheets and paychecks to eventually creating an innovative and time-saving software program that streamlined the payment process for the entire school district.

She soon became known as the school district’s secret weapon. Through all the growth, Milne worked behind the scenes to en-

sure the bills and staff were paid and that financial resources entrusted to the district were appropriately managed.

“The growth Grain Valley has experienced over the past 40 years is just remarkable. And what is even more remarkable is that the growth of the community has not led to any problems with overcrowding at the schools - and there are so many schools now and they are all wonderful.”

“I just feel like I was doing my job, and I am proud of the work I did over those 40 years,” she said with a smile. “I am so proud of this school district, the way it has grown and prospered. I was excited about going to work every day because of the new challenges and because of the wonderful people I was able to work with over the years.”

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March 23, 2018 | Women of Distinction Awards

35

Sharon

Williams

Shook, Hardy & Bacon (Ret.)

S

haron Williams has had her fair share of challenges in her life.

One of those was dealing with breast cancer in the early 2000s, but has now been a survivor for 16 years. Her husband also died eight years ago after 42 years of marriage and she had to adjust to that.

“You just face those things as

they come along,” Williams said.

“Not everything in life is going to be easy. A lot of things are in your control but some other things aren’t. They’re good opportunities to learn and grow.”

Even though Williams has been dealt some bad hands, she has made the most of it as she has been heavily involved in the community in Eastern Jackson County.

36 Women of Distinction Awards | March 23, 2018

Because of her efforts she is a 2018 Woman of Distinction.

“I was surprised about this,” Williams said of her Women of Distinction nomination. “It’s really an honor for sure and to be included with the other women. There are a host of other women that are incredibly deserving.”

There are several things that the University of Kansas graduate is in involved in. She is a volunteer for the Special Olympics and has volunteered at leadership positions at a statewide level, including the Missouri State Board of Education from 1990-98. She also was appointed to the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council in 2008

by Senator Roy Blunt and still serves it today.

She also served on the Missouri Inclusive Housing Development Consumer Development Board, the UMKC Institute for Human Development Consumer Advisory Leadership team and is still a member of the Board of Directors of Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services.

“I have just received a lot from the community and I just wanted to give back,” Williams said. Williams was heavily involved in community service in Independence in the 1980s. She was the president of the Independence Junior Service League and the Independence Board of Education.

“We provided funding for Hope House,” Williams said of working

with the Junior Services League.

“That was the year I was president and I was also on the board of directors with Hope House. We were in involved in the early stages of the development of the Child Abuse Prevention Association and helping that get off the ground.”

“You just face those things as they come along,” Williams said.

“Not everything in life is going to be easy. A lot of things are in your control but some other things aren’t.

They’re good opportunities to learn and grow.”

Currently, Williams is on the Lee’s Summit Advisory Board for the Truman Heartland Community Foundation. She also has been involved with the Community For All Ages Coalition, which looks at the needs and challenges in the community for the increasing number of older adults, she said.

Stephanie Myers

Parenting Children with Special Needs

S

tephanie Myers’ life changed forever when she gave birth to a son with chronic kidney disease.

There was a chance he wouldn’t even be born.

“I had this gentleman, who changed my life, tell me that my son was going to end up being a walking testimony of the power of God. After I held him for 24 hours and he survived, I decided to dedicate my life to follow that. When you have a child with special needs, it’s unreal.”

“We found out that he had some major, underlying kidney and bladder issues,” Myers said.

“Our chances of even having him

were slim to none. We were given 24 hours with him at birth, with little to no hope he would survive those 24 hours.

“I had this gentleman, who changed my life, tell me that my son was going to end up being a walking testimony of the power of God. After I held him for 24 hours and he survived, I decided to dedicate my life to follow that.

When you have a child with special needs, it’s unreal.”

That miracle motivated her to help parents of children with special needs and those with special needs themselves. It all started with a piece of construction paper where she wrote her thoughts on the subject.

Those pieces of construction paper eventually turned into a bi-monthly magazine called Parenting Children With Special Needs, which she offers for free and began publishing in April 2009.

The following year, she started a charity that helps provide funding for families that include those with special needs.

Because of her efforts, she will be recognized as one of the 2018 Women of Distinction.

“What an honor just to be recognized for something you never expected to happen,” Myers said.

“It’s humbling to be recognized with current women and nominees

in the past for this honor.”

Her mission with her publication was to empower parents of children with special needs by communication, general knowledge, understanding, information, encouragement, support and guides to services.

She said she started the publication because she had noticed there was a huge lack of support, resources, funding and education for parents who have children with special needs. People have taken notice of her publication as it has been endorsed by Children’s Mercy Hospital, the Down Syndrome

Guild, The Special Olympics of Missouri and Kansas, along with many others. “”I started writing it when I was in the children’s playroom at Children’s Mercy (Hospital),” Myers said. “I put it on a piece of construction paper and started planning on how I was going to do it.

It ended up becoming a 32 page magazine in June.”

An online version of the magazine can be found at pcwsn.com and a physical copy can be found in 460 different locations throughout Kansas City.

March 23, 2018 | Women of Distinction Awards

37

Class of 2016 Alumni

Debbie Bibbs ������������������������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni Alissa Eliene Blundell ����������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni Nancy Bruns ������������������������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni Roberta Coker ���������������������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni Susan Culpepper ������������������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni Vicky Cundiff �����������������������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni Jill Esry ���������������������������������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni Kelly Lightfoot ����������������������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni Shelley Lowery ���������������������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni Betty Lennox ������������������������������������������������������������ 2016 Woman of the Year Cindy McClain ��������������������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni Lois McDonald ��������������������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni Deb Ohnoutka ���������������������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni Mary Potter �������������������������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni Barbara Potts............................. 2016 Alumni & 2017 Lifetime Achievement Freddye Smith ����������������������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni Pat Turner ���������������������������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni Lara Vermillion �������������������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni Eileen Weir ��������������������������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni LaShawn Walker �����������������������������������������������������������Class of 2016 Alumni

Congratulations

to the 2018 Women of Distinction!

Thank you for making a difference in our community!

Class of 2017 Alumni

Marilyn Arnold ������������������������������������������������������������ Class of 2017 Alumni Carol Sue Bass �������������������������������������������������������������� Class of 2017 Alumni Erika Brackenbury ������������������������������������������������������� Class of 2017 Alumni Melodie Chrisman �������������������������������������������������������� Class of 2017 Alumni Janet Clark �������������������������������������������������������������������� Class of 2017 Alumni Stassi Cramm ���������������������������������������������������������������� Class of 2017 Alumni Ann Franklin ���������������������������������������������������������������� Class of 2017 Alumni Janet Hessenflow ����������������������������������������������������������� Class of 2017 Alumni Yvonne Hall ������������������������������������������������������������������ Class of 2017 Alumni Dr. Bridget McCandless ������������������������������������������2017 Woman of the Year Jodi Krantz �������������������������������������������������������������������� Class of 2017 Alumni Mary McNamara ��������������������������������������������������������� Class of 2017 Alumni Betty Meyer ������������������������������������������������������������������ Class of 2017 Alumni Elizabeth McClure �������������������������������������������������������� Class of 2017 Alumni Michelle Metje �������������������������������������������������������������� Class of 2017 Alumni LeAnn Ortner ��������������������������������������������������������������� Class of 2017 Alumni Dr. Annette Seago ��������������������������������������������������������� Class of 2017 Alumni Dr. Kelly N. Spiller �������������������������������������������������������� Class of 2017 Alumni Dr. Elizabeth Savidge ��������������������������������������������������� Class of 2017 Alumni Dr. Patrica Schumacher ����������������������������������������������� Class of 2017 Alumni Charlie Brown’s pet dog “Snoopy” is intelligent beyond his species. Co-pilots reveal themselves in various ways. At age eight, I learned how important it is to have someone always on your side. My big brother decked a schoolyard bully who kept teasing me about my eyeglasses. In over 50 years of community activities in politics, government and cultural affairs, I know that for success to happen, people must co-create and strive together passionately for a common cause. I wish to sincerely and loving thank everyone who has cajoled and coaxed me when I lacked ConfIdence, especially Lysle, Barbara, Liz, Carol Sue, my wonderful daughters, Cyd, Tammy and Lisa, all of consistent encouragers.

- Carolyn Slayton Weeks

AWARDS AND ENGRAVING

17501 East US 40 Highway | Suite 219 Independence, Missouri 64055 816-229-6966 | 816-350-0800 | 1-800-322-2832

www.rpawards.com

38 Women of Distinction Awards | March 23, 2018

To our sponsors, it’s your partnership with us that allows us to celebrate these women.

Thank you!

from the heart

Congratulations to the 2018 Class of The Examiner’s

Thank you for your contributions to Eastern Jackson County We are honored to recognize your achievements.

Diane Mack Lynette M Wheeler Jessica L. McClellan Jacqueline K Clark Jet Green

Lori Ross Patricia Milne Stephanie Myers Harriet E. Goettel Karen DeLuccie

Nina Anders Carole Jean Price Carolyn Slayton Weeks Emily Crawford

Laura Maxwell Monica Roberts Alexandra Colley Allison Spencer Sharon Williams

410 South Liberty Street, Independence, MO 64050 | 816.254.8600 March 23, 2018 | Women of Distinction Awards

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The 2018 Chevy Camaro

IGNITE THE FIRE

40 Women of Distinction Awards | March 23, 2018