Kris Wilshusen

is honored with a Brick from Constance Anderson, Dr. Iris Brossard, Denice Bruce, Susan Crockett-Spoon, Dr. James Delmore, Melodee Eby, Susan Fischer-Lukens, Carole Garretson, Rev. George Gardner, Ivonne Goldstein, Marilyn Harp, Susan Moeder, Dr. Burt Odenheimer, Dr. Joyce Oster, Bob and Martha Parriott, Bill Reece, Jerri Tousley, Peg Vines, Mark West, and Kim Yasutake.

We on the Board of Planned Parenthood of Kansas, along with. a number of community leaders, honor Kris Wilshusen as a heroine for our times. We see her as a brave woman who inspires others to be brave ... to take risks in the struggle for women's reproductive rights.

As Executive Director of Planned Parenthood of Kansas from 1991 to 1998 (when the organization merged with a Missouri affiliate), she served steadfastly during tense times in Kansas, especially in Wichita. Although neither of the two Kansas Planned Parenthood clinics she directed performed abortions, they were targeted for picketing, harassment, and vandalism by anti-abortion fanatics. Security systems and patrolled security officers were employed to assure that patients could receive needed health services and staff could safely arrive and depart from the clinics. As an example of the ongoing pressures of her job, she arrived at her office one morning, and saw that a bullet-proof window over her desk had been marred from a weapon's blast, but, fortunately, had withstood the attack.

During her tenure, Planned Parenthood expanded its services and also successfully completed a capital improvements campaign, which nearly doubled the size of its usable clinic space in Wichita.

Those of us who volunteered at Planned Parenthood - with clerical services, fund raising, or as board members - or who observed Kris's demeanor representing the affiliate in the community, have been impressed with her dignity and quiet firmness in obtaining and keeping a full range of health services available to women of all ages. At least one former staff member calls her "the best boss I ever had," citing Kris's ability to inspire her to grow and take risks for her beliefs.

Inspiring others is what a good teacher is all about, and Kris has remained a teacher as her career developed into administrative duties. In the early 1980's she carried the title of special education teacher at the Institute of Logopedics, then as photographer there. Following the birth of a daughter, she served two years as coordinator of program services at the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center, then five years as Executive Director. There she handled stressful situations daily, while directing a small staff and a larger network of volunteer advocates for women and girls who had suffered violent attacks.

Kris also volunteers in the community including service on the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Board (ADAAB) and with the DUI Victim Center.

We believe Kris Wilshusen is an ideal role model for young women who want to use their talents to develop skills that can further equality and social justice.

September 12, 1998