Where It All Began

In 1978, civic leaders Beth Smith and Marjorie Powell Allen sat down for lunch together. Allen, at the time President of the Powell Family Foundation, wanted Smith’s help in creating a space for women to interact with each other and support each other in improving their careers. The two studied the idea for two years before they opened The Central Exchange in a Crown Center office.

At the time, women were prohibited from joining both the Kansas City Club and the University Club — places where business was conducted by men. They envisioned a place where women could exchange ideas and opportunities.

The pair set out to gather an intentionally diverse group, in ethnicity and in age. When The Central Exchange opened its doors for the first time, it opened with 12 initial members: Beth Smith, Majorie Powell Allen, Terry Satterlee, Kay Barnes, Anita Butler, Joan Dillon, Adele Hall, Mamie Currie Hughes, Dorothy Johnson, Linda Moore, Linda Hood Talbott, and Judith Whitaker.

“Women needed services to help them get on track; then they needed opportunities. Other women, with funds to contribute, could offer this specialized support.”

~Marjorie Powell Allen

Central Exchange History

Executive Director

Central Exchange Executive Director, Bobbi Herring, testifies before the Glass Ceiling Commission on the role of a professional organization to advance women in the workplace

Bobbi Herring

Bobbi Herring hired as Executive Director

Savvy Magazine

Savvy Magazine reports, “There is no other place like it in the country; a club just for women, for meeting, eating, business entertaining; for sharing power…” (October issue)

1020 Central

The Central Exchange moves to 1020 Central, to the historic downtown fire station, in January. 250 members join over the course of this year and Casey Eike is named Executive Director

Oleta Adams

Oleta Adams cuts her first album at a Central Exchange fundraiser

Linda Doolin Ward

Linda Doolin Ward is named Executive Director

Radisson Muelbach

The Central Exchange moves to the Radisson Muelbach in May. The first Woman of the Year Award goes to Ruth Margolin, “a woman who epitomizes networking.”

Crown Center

The Central Exchange opens in Crown Center, drawing 160 members in its first year — including Kay Barnes, Anita Butler, Joan Dillon, Adele Hall, Mamie Hughes, Dorothy Johnson, Linda Moore, Terry Satterlee, Linda Hood Talbott, and Judith Whittaker. Toni Watson was named Executive Director.

1979

Marjorie Powell Allen and Beth Smith form a task force to determine how to make a difference for women in Kansas City

Central Exchange Today

Our membership of hundreds of women and men from the Kansas City metro includes managers and executives, business owners, nonprofit and civic leaders, and community volunteers.

With more hundred programs a year, CX offers a wide variety of professional development opportunities and networking events that provide resources and connections for members to advance their careers and build their businesses. Central Exchange leadership development programs create a pool of highly qualified leaders available for executive positions in the Kansas City area.

Learn More About Our Impact