Month: March 2015

Presentation explores World War I propaganda

Wyandotte County Historical Museum in Bonner Springs, Kan., will be the host of “World War I on the Homefront: Persuasion and Propaganda,” a presentation and discussion by Lorraine Madway, at 2 p.m. March 14. at Wyandotte County Historical Museum, 631 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs, Kan.

Members of the community are invited to attend the free program. Contact the Wyandotte County Historical Museum at 913-573-5002 for more information. The program is made possible by the Kansas Humanities Council.

This program is part of the Wyandotte County Historical Museum’s commemoration of Local Poppies: Centennial of WWI exhibition.

When the United States entered World War I in the spring of 1917, the civilian population was aware of the high casualty rates from trench warfare and the resulting low morale. It was necessary to inspire and inform people in ways that were both heroic and practical. This presentation will highlight posters, pamphlets, and sheet music that encouraged Americans to participate in the war effort.

Lorraine Madway is the special collections curator and university archivist at Wichita State University Libraries. She has also taught courses on archives in the public history program at WSU and in the graduate library science program at Emporia State University.

“World War I posters aimed for the civilian American population to concentrate not only on familiar themes of supporting Liberty Bonds and providing famine relief for those suffering in Europe. What is less well known,” explained Madway, “is their emphasis on access to knowledge through public libraries as a vital attribute of democracy and civilization for English-speaking peoples in general and an important facet of American democracy in particular.”

“World War I on the Homefront: Persuasion and Propaganda” is part of the Kansas Humanities Council’s Humanities Speakers Bureau, featuring presentations and discussions that examine our shared human experience—our innovations, culture, heritage, and conflicts.

The Kansas Humanities Council conducts and supports community-based programs, serves as a financial resource through an active grant-making program, and encourages Kansans to engage in the civic and cultural life of their communities. For more information about KHC programs contact the Kansas Humanities Council at 785-357-0359 or visit online at www.kansashumanities.org.

For more information about “World War I on the Homefront: Persuasion and Propaganda” contact the Wyandotte County Historical Museum at 913-573-5002 or visit www.wycomuseum.org or Facebook us at wycomuseum.
– From the Wyandotte County Museum

Prayers of thanksgiving offered during National Catholic Sisters Week

As the Catholic Church observes the Year of Consecrated Life proclaimed internationally by Pope Francis, March 8-14 is designated in the United States as the second annual National Catholic Sisters Week.

Both observances serve to highlight and recognize contributions of persons who have dedicated their lives to vows and consecrated service. Each observance also encourages young adults to be open to vocational calls to religious life.

During National Catholic Sisters Week this year, leadership of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCLs) has invited members of the religious community to pray for persons with whom they have ministered and with whom they continue to minister and for individuals served by the community over the past 157 years since its founding.

“While we appreciate the recognition of National Catholic Sisters Week, we want to use this opportunity to express our deep gratitude to those who have shared in our ministries and those with whom and for whom we have served,” said Sister Maureen Hall, SCL community director. “Our prayers of thanksgiving will extend across the United States and around the world during this special week.”

Varied ministries, common commitment
Across the world, SCLs serve in education, health care, social services, pastoral and prayer ministries. They are in missionary roles in Peru and South Sudan, on Native American reservations in Montana and with rebuilding efforts in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. They are strong advocates for social justice and care of creation and against human trafficking.

SCL members include leaders. Among them, Sister Susan Wood is president of the Catholic Theological Society of America. Sister Diane Steele is president of the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth, Kan. Sister Elizabeth Youngs has recently been named superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Jefferson City, Mo. They serve on boards of directors and in other administrative roles.

Over the past two years in Leavenworth, the SCLs opened Welcome Central, a clearinghouse to help people navigate complex systems to apply for benefits and jobs or receive other assistance. They also collaborated with area Leavenworth churches and Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas to provide overnight shelter for persons who are homeless.

Sister Paula Tweet recently received the 2015 Jo Ann Harrington-Nobili Award for Academic Excellence in Butte, Mont. In Denver, Clínica Tepeyac, that provides health care for the underserved, presented the religious community with its 2014 Outstanding Community Partner Award. Of 130,000 employees in Ascension Health, Sister Marie Madeleine Shonka merited the large Catholic health system’s Individual Mission and Values Award for her work at Seton Center, Kansas City, Mo.

“We have outstanding women in our community who have served in many different ministries,” Sister Maureen added. “Each SCL has heard and responded to the call to serve as an individual and as a member of our community. We have been blessed with these talented and generous women of faith.”

The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth were founded in 1858 by Mother Xavier Ross. The religious community traces its roots to St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac in 17th century France.
– From Therese Horvat

New novel by KCK native traverses roots quest across continents

GiGi Gossett will discuss her latest novel, “The Midwife Factor,” at 7 p.m. Monday, April 6, at the West Wyandotte Branch Library at 1737 N. 82nd St., Kansas City, Kan.

According to a spokesman for the Kansas City, Kan., Public Library, Gossett, a native of Kansas City, Kan., also will sign copies of her book, which will be available for purchase.

“GiGi Gossett” is the pen name of Kansas City, Kan., native Gladys Gossett Hankins.

Hankins, an internationally recognized speaker and consultant on diversity and organizational effectiveness, spent the majority of her career as an executive with Procter and Gamble and currently is president of management consulting firm Telora Victor, Inc. She has presented workshops in nations around the world. A graduate of Sumner Academy and Rockhurst University, Hankins holds a doctorate in organizational behavior and development from Union Institute and University.

In “The Midwife Factor,“ 19-year-old Morgan Wellington, adopted as an infant by a prestigious American family, sets off to Budapest to find her mysterious lookalike and see if she can explain the flashes of another’s thoughts, feelings and dreams that she has sensed since childhood.

As Morgan travels from Cincinnati to Budapest to Romania, lively characters cross her path: Lynn Davis, a savvy private detective; Flossie Walker, an octogenarian African-American midwife who holds the truth of Morgan’s birth; and a sinister sociopath recently released from prison.

“The telepathic relationship has always fascinated me, as has the global role of midwives,” Gossett said. “It’s my fervent desire to expose readers to a variety of cultures and ethnicities side by side—much like our world today— and create a work of fiction that readers won’t be able to put down.” Gossett’s inspiration for the book came from twin sisters of hers who both succumbed to early deaths.

Gossett’s previous fiction titles include pre-teen novel “A Twisy Girls Mystery: The Case of the Dropped Pearl” and mystery title “By Any Other Name.” She is also the author of the business book “Diversity Blues, How to Shake ‘Em.”

She is a life member of the NAACP, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the Queen City Chapter of The Links, Inc., and serves on the boards of The Union Institute and University, Hospice of Cincinnati, and the Christ Hospital Institutional Review Board. She also served on the Board of Trustees for the Urban League of Greater Kansas City and NAACP.

– Information from Kansas City, Kan., Public Library