Remembering Rita J. Bicknell

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Rita J. Bicknell

Today we choose to celebrate the life of Rita J. Bicknell by acknowledging her contributions across our community, to women’s health in southeast Kansas, and to the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas.

Rita J. Bicknell was a philanthropist throughout her lifetime. Rita was one of the founders of the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas in 2001 and served as Board President for several years of her nine-year tenure.

It was during Rita’s own cancer treatments in 2006 that she observed the imbalances in women’s healthcare. Being of curious mindset and with a giving soul, she began to explore and learn about these inequities. She was disheartened and saddened by the lack of financial resources to afford such things as transportation to cancer treatments, eyeglasses to perform a job effectively, or dental work needed to allow a woman to feel comfortable even applying for a job.

As she started having conversations with like-minded ladies, the scope of a life-changing project unfolded. In 2007, the RJB Women’s Health Fund Giving Circle was formed with the mission “To improve the health and well-being of women by supporting education, increasing awareness and sharing quality of life opportunities to benefit all women in the region.” In 2013 that mission was expanded with the addition of another giving circle, the Circle of Friends. To date, over $255,000 has been granted through the two Women’s Health Fund giving circles to organizations that meet the needs and challenges of women in our community.

Rita was grateful to the women who participated in the Giving Circle, and to the organizations who champion ways to help women one by one in our region. Rita’s vision will continue to be carried out by a group of compassionate women who are dedicated to the mission of the Women’s Health Fund.