Mamie Currie Hughes was born into an educated black family in Florida and moved to Kansas City with her husband to assume a powerful role in black social circles there. She taught school, got elected to the county legislature, was hired as a community planner and became an advocate and volunteer for scores of projects aimed at cutting through racial and gender biases and discrimination.

Now 90+ years of age, Mamie Hughes Rogers is a Kansas City icon who has helped establish equality in every layer of civic and political life.