IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION honoring the life and achievements of Sister Corita Bussanmas.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 20649, April 12, 2021
INTRODUCED BY Ronald E. Finley, Dan Tarwater III, Theresa Cass Galvin, Jalen Anderson, Crystal Williams, Tony Miller, Scott Burnett, Charlie Franklin, and Jeanie Lauer, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, Sister Corita Bussanmas, co-founder with Sister Berta Sailor, of Operation Breakthrough, passed away on March 27, 2021, at home with her family; and,
WHEREAS, Sister Corita spent most of her life championing children and families facing adversity; and,
WHEREAS, Operation Breakthrough is a not-for-profit agency that provides early childhood education, and before-and after-school and summer enrichment programs, as well as a broad range of health and social services for poor families in Kansas City; and,
WHEREAS, Sister Corita, a native of Des Moines, IA, was sent to Kansas City in 1967 by her order, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to run St. Vincent's School; and,
WHEREAS, in 1971, the Catholic diocese closed St. Vincent's Parish and, with the loss of funding, Sister Corita and Sister Berta joined with neighborhood parents to incorporate Operation Breakthrough, Inc., as a not-for-profit agency with no religious affiliation; and,
WHEREAS, Sister Corita devoted her life to the children of Operation Breakthrough, working days, nights, and weekends to keep the program thriving; and,
WHEREAS, Sister Corita was someone who saw a need and, through perseverance, ingenuity, and dogged devotion, did what needed to be done to fill that need through Operation Breakthrough; and,
WHEREAS, the Kansas City community has felt Sister Corita's impact, as a leader and an inspiration, for more than 50 years; and,
WHEREAS, Sister Corita is survived by Sister Berta Sailer, daughters Kenyauta Sailer and Vanshay Purnell, sons Ronald Sailer and Tyrez Scott, honorary sons Myles Cas...
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