Karen McCarthy tribute
Thank you for revisiting Karen McCarthy (7/5,
“Trailblazing Career was No Bed of Roses”). My comment quoted in this article
that Karen was “Not born to do battle” was part of the observation that battle
was exactly what was required of her as one of Missouri’s first women
legislators. The barriers to the Good Old Boys Club in Jefferson City were such
in the 1970s that one had no choice but to fight for the opportunity to do her
job.
Karen and a small band of colleagues assumed the stress of breaking gender barriers
in order to pave the way for other women. Her record of accomplishment in
Jefferson City is exemplary.
For that, she will always be owed our gratitude. A fitting tribute to Karen
would be a time when our legislature spends more energy engaged in civil and
intelligent debate rather than in fighting.
Susan Schmelzer
Kansas City
Comments