STARR SYMPOSIUM

Starr Symposium History

The annual Starr Symposium, named after Martha Jane Starr, is funded by the Family Study Center Endowment and overseen by the Starr Education Committee. The idea for the symposium took shape in 1992 when it was decided that a forum was needed to address women's issues and family concerns. Organizers agreed to bring nationally known experts in women's issues to work with community leaders to examine ways to eliminate barriers that face women.

The Family Study Center began in the early 1950s as a dream in the hearts and minds of a small group of Kansas Citians who believed that encouraging and strengthening families was of utmost importance to our society.

Led by Martha Jane Starr, a 21-member committee was formed to oversee the development of a comprehensive family-life education and prevention program. Mrs. Starr served as president of the group for 20 years, along with many of the original committee members. During her tenure, a permanent endowment for the program was created through the generosity of private donors.

The community-based program became an integral part of the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1963 and was renamed the Family Study Center. The center was integrated into the UMKC system as a section of the sociology department in the College of Arts and Sciences.

In 1966, the center was transferred from the College of Arts and Sciences and became a part of the continuing education division. The scope of activities continued to expand and by 1970 over 25,000 individuals had participated in programs.

In 1992, UMKC declared the Family Study Center no longer operable, and a committee identified the Starr Symposium as the new purpose for the use of the endowment income. With the assistance of the Starr Education Committee for Women's Issues and Family Issues, this fund is used to support collaborative programming between the UMKC Women's Center and the UMKC Women's Council.


Starr Home Women's Center Women's Council Film Series About the Starr Symposium Past Events	STARR SYMPOSIUM Starr Symposium History The annual Starr Symposium, named after Martha Jane Starr, is funded by the Family Study Center Endowment and overseen by the Starr Education Committee. The idea for the symposium took shape in 1992 when it was decided that a forum was needed to address women's issues and family concerns. Organizers agreed to bring nationally known experts in women's issues to work with community leaders to examine ways to eliminate barriers that face women. The Family Study Center began in the early 1950s as a dream in the hearts and minds of a small group of Kansas Citians who believed that encouraging and strengthening families was of utmost importance to our society. Led by Martha Jane Starr, a 21-member committee was formed to oversee the development of a comprehensive family-life education and prevention program. Mrs. Starr served as president of the group for 20 years, along with many of the original committee members. During her tenure, a permanent endowment for the program was created through the generosity of private donors. The community-based program became an integral part of the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1963 and was renamed the Family Study Center. The center was integrated into the UMKC system as a section of the sociology department in the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1966, the center was transferred from the College of Arts and Sciences and became a part of the continuing education division. The scope of activities continued to expand and by 1970 over 25,000 individuals had participated in programs. In 1992, UMKC declared the Family Study Center no longer operable, and a committee identified the Starr Symposium as the new purpose for the use of the endowment income. With the assistance of the Starr Education Committee for Women's Issues and Family Issues, this fund is used to support collaborative programming between the UMKC Women's Center and the UMKC Women's Council.