SPOTLIGHT ON OUR PARTNER SPONSORS
Becky Loethen and Janet Brown dedicate this issue to the loving memory of Julie Geis.
REMEMBERING ONE OF OUR OWN - JULIE GEIS
It was 8:48 a.m. on Sept. 11th, when Julie Geis called her partner, Becky, from the south tower. She asked Becky if there was anything on the news, as there was buzz around her that a plane had hit the north tower. She wanted to let Becky know she was safe and, despite the events occurring around her, the conversation centered on New York Yankees' tickets. Julie and Becky had tried to attend a game the day before, but the weather didn't cooperate. Instead, they sat in the rain eating hot dogs and taking in the scenery of historic Yankee Stadium. At 9:03 a.m., the south tower was hit and there was never another phone call. Julie was never found; she had died at age 44.
 Julie, who lived in Lee's Summit and was senior vice president for AON Consulting Inc., was in New York for a one-day meeting. Becky, her partner of 10 years, had accompanied Julie, and they planned to take in some Broadway shows and a Yankees game.
She was born in the small town of Friend, Neb., on Aug. 14, 1957, and came from a farming family of eight brothers and sisters. As a child she worked hard on the farm and developed the positive, hard-working attitude that endeared her to so many. Julie had a love of friends and family, a great strength of character, and a strong desire and drive to make the world better for others. Everything she did, she did in a big way-and always with a smile.
She attended the University of Nebraska and was a profound Huskers fan. In 1989, Julie received her Ph.D. in Educational Administration Curriculum and Instruction. While working on her doctorate, Julie worked for a grant program that set up services for students with communication disorders. An assistant on that project, Jan Leuenberger, recalls Julie's personality.
"Her personality allowed her to deal with anybody," said Leuenberger. "Julie had the ability to look you in the eyes and make you feel comfortable. I haven?t met any other person who could be with a group of different blends of people and be so clearly comfortable and make them feel comfortable."
Following her lead
Julie had several positions before landing in Lee's Summit and with AON Corporation, where her work had her traveling the world.
She was a natural born leader and motivator, and was always involved with community and civic endeavors. In 1997, she co-founded Women With One Voice and was president when she died. Julie was extremely proud of VOICE and its work, and she always strived to make it more inclusive and successful. When Julie died, it was very difficult for remaining Board members to continue VOICE, but they did because it was Julie's dream.
The idea for "Julie's Fund" came together quickly. So many in the community felt connected to Julie, and everyone was grieving 9-11 and the loss of someone close to them from Kansas City. Many wanted to have fundraisers and needed a place to donate the money. Establishing "Julie's Fund" helped Julie's family, Becky, the VOICE Board, friends, neighbors and our community grieve her loss.
VOICE gave its first "Julie's Fund" grant in 2003 and achieved the full $100,000 funding goal in 2006. To date, "Julie's Fund" has granted $22,500 to an organization that would have been near and dear to Julie's heart, Accessible Arts. Read more about Accessible Arts in this issue.
Carrying on her legacy
Besides the VOICE endowment, another endowment was established at Julie's alma mater, the University of Nebraska, which is funded through golf tournaments. From the Daily Nebraskan:
 "The 5th annual Julie Geis Memorial Golf Tournament proved to be another huge success on Monday, Aug. 14, as the festivities culminated with the announcement that the goal of fully endowing the Julie Geis Memorial Scholarship had been reached. The announcement was met with hugs and cheers from members of the Geis family, as well as friends and teammates of Julie's and continued supporters of Nebraska softball. Sparked by the spirit, determination and energy in whichJulie lived her life, it took a mere five years to raise the $250,000 needed to fully endow the scholarship in her name. Now, the Julie Geis Memorial Scholarship will live off the interest and continue to ensure that both the scholarship and Julie Geis will live on forever with the Nebraska softball program." Julie lettered in softball from 1975-79.
Julie loved life and loved living life to its fullest. She was an avid golfer; avid sports fan and an avid fan of the humanities. She loved people and animals, and she loved to laugh. She believed in giving back to those less fortunate than her, and she did so on a regular basis. Our community is lucky to have had Julie, and Women With One Voice is proud to carry on the great work she helped establish. She will be in the hearts of those who met her, those who knew her well and those who loved her and she loved back. She is missed, and we are proud to honor her and remember her today.
Grant recipient spotlight: Accessible Arts
Teens view history in a new light
 Like many 16-year-olds, Ashley Tilton dreams of becoming a Broadway star, performing in front of hundreds of people. But she isn't your typical teen with a dream.
In fact, just a couple of years ago, Ashley feared talking in front of a group and shied from the limelight. That all changed, however, after she became involved with Accessible Arts, an organization that advocates access to the arts for children with disabilities. Since 2003, Accessible Arts has received $22,500 from Julie's Fund.
This summer, Ashley was one of 11 blind or visually impaired teens who participated in the Discovery Trails Program, a two-week outdoor living history adventure that guided them along the Santa Fe Trail from Kansas City to Santa Fe, N.M.
"I was a girl who wouldn't leave her hair straightener and makeup, so I learned how to rough it like the pioneers did," says Ashley, a junior at the Kansas State School for the Blind who hails from Highland, Kan. "I learned that you don't need a bunch of stuff, you just need what you can carry on your back and knowledge."
Living history — literally
Under the guidance of professional artist-educators and historians, Ashley and the others experienced life as the pioneers and Indians did in the 1800s.
They hiked and camped under the stars, ate authentic trail foods, created period crafts and tools, learned about native culture and more. Each night, they gathered around the campfire and sang, danced and shared stories to celebrate pioneer life.
 "It's a fun way to learn about history and art, and it helps kids gain the confidence and skills for living life on their own," notes Eleanor Craig, Discovery Trails Program coordinator.
In January 2008, the Discovery Trails Program received the "Coming Up Taller Award" from the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities in a ceremony at the White House. The award recognizes outstanding after-school arts and humanities programs that provide new learning opportunities and help young people to enrich their communities.
Fancy awards aside, Ashley and other teens are testament to the program's success.
"It really boosted my self-confidence and made me realize the person I am inside," says Ashley. "I found out it didn't matter if I had sight; what matters is in my heart. I know there's nothing I can't do."
A vision to help others
Since 1988, Accessible Arts has served children with disabilities and those who care for them in social service programs, schools, mental health facilities, juvenile detention centers and community programs throughout the Kansas City metro area and the state of Kansas.
For more information about Accessible Arts, visit www.accessiblearts.org. To learn more about the Discovery Trails Program, visit www.discoverytrailsprogram.org.
Grant recipient spotlight: Good Samaritan Project
Knowledge keeps SISTAs Safe
Elnora Powell stands at the front of the room firing off questions. "True or false, HIV can be spread through breastfeeding?"
About 20 teenaged girls sit rapt and answer in unison, "True."
Keeping teenagers' attention may seem challenging to some, but Powell and her fellow  Community Prevention Specialists are pros at it because it's a matter of life or death. Each year, the Good Samaritan Project hosts four one-day events like this called SISTA, or Sisters Informing Sisters about Topics on AIDS, which Powell helps facilitate.
SISTA is made possible in part by a 2007 Women With One Voice–funded grant and follows curriculum approved by the Centers for Disease Control.
"Receiving this grant has allowed us to provide care and education to an outstanding group of young women who we feel we have inspired to carry out the motto of SISTA, which is ‘Sister Love is Strong, Sister Love is Safe, and Sister Love is Surviving,'" says Angela Williams, director of prevention
Through SISTA, the girls—who are mostly minorities aged 13-19 from area residential treatment facilities—learn about empowerment, gender and ethnic pride, and STD/HIV risk reduction, including abstinence and barrier use for protection. Through role-playing, they also learn refusal and partner-negotiation skills.
Now in its 23rd year, the Good Samaritan Project is Kansas City's oldest and most comprehensive agency exclusively devoted to the care and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Through education and advocacy, it supports a diverse community of individuals affected by HIV/AIDS in 15 counties throughout the area.
For more information about the Good Samaritan Project, visit www.gsp-kc.org.
Sponsor spotlight: Alexandra (A.J.) Strong, M.D.
Providing a VOICE for Women
 Alexandra (A.J.) Strong is a woman of an uncommon blend: orthopedic surgeon, horsewoman and Partner Sponsor of Women With One Voice.
Strong grew up on a cattle farm in Rolla, Mo. Initially, Strong wanted to be a large animal veterinarian. However, she decided in junior high to become an orthopedic surgeon. Her father was supportive; her mother discouraged her.
After high school, Strong entered the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s six-year medical program. Following a surgical internship and five-year orthopedic residency, Strong returned to Kansas City in 1992. Today, she’s among the mere 3 percent of female orthopedic surgeons in the United States.
Strong’s companion for more than 15 years, Brenda Hafner, has a private practice that offers spiritual coaching, guidance, Native American meditation, and healing energy work. “Some people are surprised I can practice traditional medicine and still be open to alternative ideas,” says Strong.
An animal lover, Strong lives in Leavenworth County with her horses, barn cats and rescued dog, Lucy. She’s been involved with VOICE’s fundraisers for many years and is invested in supporting women and girls to be independent, confident and strong.
“I’m lucky I had the support I needed to succeed,” she says. “Everyone deserves that.”
Grant recipient spotlight: Cancer Action
Topping It Off with Care
 With a Women With One Voice-funded grant, Cancer Action is able to purchase wigs for minority women cancer patients. Having a wig that’s ethnically appropriate and comfortable is emotionally important for these patients who struggle to feel confident “out in the world” without hair.
Volunteers—many of whom are elderly and sometimes homebound—make scarves and turbans with materials purchased with VOICE grant funds, as a way to help these patients as they battle their way through the rigors of treatment.
Making a difference, one life at a time
Betty Springfield, a 62-year-old mother, wife, church-goer and breast cancer survivor, knows how much the support, wigs, turbans and scarves can mean.
During her chemotherapy at Providence Hospital, a patient told her about Cancer Action, which provides mastectomy supplies, financial assistance, and educational and emotional support. She visited its Kansas City, Kan., office and found the help she needed. “Everybody, at some point in their lives, can use help in some way,” she says.
Betty also had the support of her family and church. Her faith was crucial in her recovery.
“I believe in God, and he’s there whether you believe in Him or not,” she says. “I knew I was coming out of my battle with cancer — either on this side or the other side — but I was coming out of it.”
Once Betty lost her hair, she wanted a wig that “that was closer to my own hair.” But none of the limited wigs available for African-American women seemed right. However, Cancer Action ordered just what she needed. And when the weather was too warm, Betty wore turbans or scarves.
Service and support
While patients get fitted for wigs and select scarves and turbans, the Cancer Action staff talks with them to find out their needs, hopes and fears and then offers support. “Picking out a wig is a very therapeutic time,” says Jennifer Beatty, wellness program coordinator for Cancer Action. “It’s not uncommon for us to be with someone for an hour. It’s finding a wig, but it’s so much more—it’s the whole experience.”
Like many Cancer Action clients, Betty also participated in wellness classes. Cancer Action offers exercise and movement classes, therapeutic art classes and massages.
Although she’s in remission, Betty still participates in the wellness classes and visits cancer patients, offering her positive attitude and support to others.
“You have to think positive, because things will happen. We don’t know when, we don’t know why, but they will happen,” says Betty. “You have to take the good with the bad and go on. I’m going to go as long as I can and as far as I can.”
For assistance or more information, Cancer Action has three offices – Eastern Jackson County, Kansas City Kan., and Johnson County.
http://www.canceractionkc.org/
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