The Starr Women’s Hall of Fame is dedicated to recognizing extraordinary Kansas City women, preserving the history of their accomplishments and inspiring women everywhere. Janet Murguía is one of the outstanding women being honored in the 2019 class of inductees.

From Congress to the White House to leading the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights organization, Murguía has inspired many. Born in the Argentine district of Kansas City, Kansas, to Mexican immigrants, she rose from a humble background to becoming a tireless advocate for civil rights for all.

After receiving her bachelor’s and law degree from the University of Kansas, Janet moved to Washington, D.C., and joined former Congressman Jim Slattery’s office as a legislative assistant. She then worked at the White House as the Deputy Assistant and Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs to President Clinton, providing strategic and legislative advice on key issues and acting as a senior White House liaison to Congress. She served as Deputy Campaign Manager in the Gore-Lieberman 2000 presidential campaign.

Murguía came back to her roots in the Midwest, serving as the executive vice chancellor of University Relations for the University of Kansas from 2001-2004, where she oversaw internal and external relations and coordinated the university’s strategic planning and marketing efforts.

In 2005, she returned to our nation’s capital to become the president and CEO of UNIDOS US (formerly the National Council of LaRaza) in Washington, D.C.

“Janet has elevated the status of women by her work in Washington, in Kansas and throughout the country,” says Laura Curry Sloan, executive director of the Shumaker Family Foundation. “As a Hispanic woman, she is acutely aware of the need to support the rights of women to contribute in every way in our society, including being able to help support their families and raise their children without being harassed or being treated as ‘less than.’ There is no doubt that Janet Murguia will continue to inspire others by her example.”

About the Starr Women’s Hall of Fame

The Starr Women’s Hall of Fame is dedicated to recognizing extraordinary Kansas City women and preserving the history of their accomplishments. These women are social reformers, volunteers, philanthropists, civic leaders, activists and educators. They are neighborhood leaders and grassroots organizers, from yesterday and today, both famous and unsung. They are movers and shakers whose tireless commitment to community has made Kansas City a better place to live.

The Hall of Fame honors their legacies by sharing their stories to encourage and inspire women everywhere. A permanent display honoring these women is open to the public on the third floor of the Miller Nichols Library at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

The Hall of Fame is named in honor of Martha Jane Phillips Starr, a legendary activist and philanthropist who blazed a trail for family issues and women’s rights. The Hall of Fame is made possible through the Starr Education Committee, Martha Jane Starr’s family and the Starr Field of Interest Fund through the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.