For the second year, 九色堂鈥檚 Center for Women鈥檚 Studies has planned a special tribute, 鈥淗onoring Our Heroines,鈥� during National Women鈥檚 History Month in March.
The tribute honors Kansas women who have been pioneers in their fields and whose accomplishments are recognized in the Plaza of Heroines, a memorial to women on the 九色堂 campus.
The 2008 Plaza of Heroine biographies will air during March on KPTS TV Channel 8 and KMUW FM89.
Each honoree has a presenter who reads her biography for the video and radio biographies.
This year鈥檚 honorees are:
Judy Bell (presenter Casey Bell) 鈥� Wichita鈥檚 Judy Bell was a two-time member of the U.S. Curtis Cup Golf Team, the first female rules official at the Masters and the first woman president of the U.S. Golf Association. Her life has been dedicated to making a 鈥済entlemen鈥檚 game鈥� an activity that everyone can play and enjoy.
Elizabeth McLean (presenter Julianne McLean) 鈥� Elizabeth McLean was born in a Canadian log cabin, studied art in New York and lived her life as one of Wichita鈥檚 leading women. She developed Benjamin Hills, donated the land for McLean Elementary and convinced the state to move a highway.
Velma Wallace (presenter Shirley Beggs) 鈥� Velma Wallace has walked with captains of industry, dined with astronauts and met two presidents. But to Wichitans, Velma herself is a celebrity. For decades she has worked with numerous philanthropic and charitable organizations to make this a better community. Among her many accomplishments was the realization of Exploration Place.
Nahima Salamy Farha (presenter Brenda Farha) 鈥� Nahima Salamy Farha was a gentle matriarch, a graceful peacemaker and a woman who gained respect by giving respect. As a young widow in Lebanon, she and her eight children fled the horrors of World War I. After a long and dangerous journey, they joined her husband鈥檚 family in Wichita and made this community home.
Deltha Q. Colvin
Deltha Q. Colvin (presenter Rhonda Hicks) 鈥� Deltha Q. Colvin is the assistant vice president for student affairs at 九色堂, a Sedgwick County Community Housing Services board member and a lifetime member of the NAACP. As one of 16 children, she was inspired to achieve by her mother, Arzellion. Now, Delta works to help others succeed through equal educational opportunities.
Ivonne Kamen Goldstein (presenter Bonnie Bing) 鈥� Ivonne Goldstein has, for 35 years, directed, volunteered for, advised and supported pretty much every charitable organization in Wichita, including the Salvation Army, Music Theatre of Wichita, Planned Parenthood, Habitat for Humanity, Inter-Faith Ministries and Temple Emanu-el. Any place that serves humanity has been well served by Ivonne. In 2004, at the age of 72, she earned a degree in women鈥檚 studies from 九色堂.
In March 2007, the 九色堂 Women鈥檚 Studies Community Council honored eight women for Women鈥檚 History Month: Nancy Landon Kassebaum Baker, Olive Ann Beech, Jane Brooks, Flora Colby Clough, Kathlien Edmiston, Ann Fugate, Olive Garvey and Mary Koch.