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Olympia Brown (portrayed by Marilyn Cox) makes her case for women?s suffrage. Brown came to Kansas in the 1860s. |
In celebration of Kansas Day, Jan. 29, Colleen Riley of Topeka, portrayed an early ordained minister, who came to Kansas in the 1860s.
Marilyn Cox, a retired clergywoman, introduced Olympia Brown, to a large group of woman at the Eastmoor United Methodist Church in Marion, said Janet Bryant, one of the organizers.
?Brown (Colleen Riley) appeared in her riding outfit, carrying her side saddle and speaking passionately as Olympia,? Bryant said.
In her talk, Brown spoke about coming to Kansas to campaign for women's suffrage because it was believed Kansas could become the first state to give women the vote.
The performance covered Brown?s youth in Michigan, her struggle to become ordained and her experience in Kansas, Riley said about the performance.
A graduate of Kansas State University with a master?s of Divinity St. Paul School of Theology and master?s of social work from Kansas University?s school of Social Welfare, she served as pastor in many rural Kansas towns for 16 years.
?We try to bring something new each year to the celebration,? Bryant said.
In addition to the program, a Kansas roast beef dinner was served by the Eastmoor United Methodist Women.
Following the meal, a letter of best wishes was read by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Kansas trivia questions were answered.
