The Indelible Mark

The Emancipation Proclamation, Declaration of Independence, Louisiana Purchase or the Gettysburg Address are all examples of indelible marks that have defined who we are. Similarly, knowing great people of character can make their mark on our lives as well. Such is the case with Gladys Marriott.

Retired from the Missouri House of Representatives where she served for 22 years, Gladys proudly represented Kansas City’s Districts 37 and 51 – an area including the bulk of Swope Park and outlying neighborhoods.

“ Mom was highly respected by both men and women in the Legislature,” said younger daughter Nancy Nauser. “She was a superb writer and speaker, but more importantly in that business, she was a good listener. Mom wanted to learn and wasn’t afraid to ask. She believed strongly that people improve each other.”

Teachers, preachers, and the school nurse –
Help me learn, as like a dry sponge – I thirst, for knowledge.
Each person – the bus driver, the principal, the custodian,
The kid next door – give me ideas –
I never had before I met them.

And it seems the leadership qualities that endeared Gladys to government committees continues to help people today. Now living at Hidden Lake Care Center she’s the President of the Residents Council.

“We’re so fortunate to be a part of Gladys’s life,” said Hidden Lake social services admission coordinator Connie Parry. “She steps up to leadership and is such a role model to residents. We have five beds available at Hidden Lake right now, and we wish we could fill them with people like Gladys. ”

Married in the 40s at the outbreak of World War II, Gladys and Lloyd Marriott had a whirlwind romance, as Lloyd soon was to ship out to England. Having met and worked together at Elko Camera in downtown Kansas City, they wed in secret because it was against company rules to date fellow employees, let alone marry them.

“ Mom was a housewife with only a high school education,” said Hauser. “But she had a deep conviction to serve her community and developed a natural flair for public speaking and writing – she even had an ear for music and harmony. After Dad retired from Puritan Bennett, he joined her on her trips to the Capitol.”

Gladys entered politics during the turbulent 60s in Jeff City, where she soon discovered she was one of seven women out of 163 House members. A token female in a male dominated culture, Gladys gained respect from both sides of the aisle.

“ A lifelong friend of my mother was Edna, a Republican colleague she met in those early days,” said Nauser. “Instead of staying in hotels like most legislators at the time, Mom and Edna rented an apartment within walking distance of the Capitol. Colleagues marveled in amazement how such a friendship between a Republican and Democrat could survive. Mom and Edna remained roommates until Edna retired.”

 

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