RESOLUTION NO. 230838
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Sponsor: Councilmember Melissa Patterson-Hazley
RESOLUTION - Congratulating the Twin Citians Club for its 80th anniversary.
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WHEREAS, the Twin Citians Club was founded on January 9, 1943, when 24 young professional women, most of whom were teachers, from Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas came together to form a social club based on friendship with the Club being prominently in African-American social life in the 40's and 50's, with many of the social events taking place in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District; and
WHEREAS, the founders of the Twin Citians Club were Gertrude Whitley Bardwell, Marjorie Beck, Josephine Campbell Vandiver Boone, Gussia Addison Butler, Bessie Ellis Caldwell, Juanita Kidd Caldwell, Ruth Cooper, Bessie Jamison Cox, Madella Summers Cox, Etta Mae Jackson Dawson, Faye Duvall, Ethel Mae Price Gower, Vedrene Voorhies Hadley, Lois Plummer Jones, Janet Walton Kaiser, Inez Yeargan Kaiser, Myrtle Alice Klice, Helen Garrett Mitchell, Arieta Branham Mobiley, Alice Curry Penn, Julia Wright Peterson, Mildred Lindsey Ray, Bertha Ellis Thomas and Margaret Sewing Walker; and
WHEREAS, the idea to form the Twin Citians Club bringing together women from both Kansas and Missouri was the inspiration of Inez Kaiser; and
WHEREAS, in 1958, under the leadership of President Ruth Kerford the Twin Citians reached out to other Black organizations to discuss the practice of segregated eating establishments and this led to the formation of the Community Committee for Social Action which organized a campaign that eventually led to the desegregation of the downtown eating establishments; and
WHEREAS, the Twin Citians Club will officially mark its 80th anniversary on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at its 80th Anniversary Friendship Luncheon; and
WHEREAS, under the current leadership of Club President Marceline Cooley, the Twin Citians Club has an active membership of 26 women who meet monthly to socialize, continue the bond of friendship and participate in the Kansas City community; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor and Council hereby congratulate the Twin Citians Club for its 80th anniversary; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to Marceline Cooley, President, with the appreciation of the Mayor and Council for the Club's continued presence in our community.
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