Mayor Quinton Lucas recently proclaimed March 27ths as “Ms. Elise Jackson Day” in Kansas City! The day, which coincided with her 89th birthday, celebrated Ms. Jackson for years of volunteering to keep our boulevards and parkways clean for everyone.
After almost 40 years, Ms. Jackson continues to clean up litter on Meyer Boulevard each week. She’s an inspiration to many (check out this passing of the generational baton story where The Young Friends of Starlight committed to cleaning up there once a month), and she is determined to see that the city’s boulevards and parkways are cleaned up while she’s on this earth. She believes this begins with people not littering in the first place, but will continue to pick up litter from the boulevard in front of her home as long as they do.
Even before her retirement from KCPS as a HS chemistry teacher nearly 40 years ago, she was committed to keeping her city clean. Back then she also cleaned up several more streets including Swope Parkway and 63rd Street. Ms. Jackson is a delight, and the kind of person KC/the world needs more of.
She is one of our team leaders for the KC Parks Earth Day Spring Cleaning Event (April 22) and will be stationed at the intersection of Meyer Blvd and Bellefontaine to hand out to supplies for volunteers to help clean up litter on Meyer Boulevard and on Swope Parkway. She has committed her lifetime to service, and so many of us and our environment are better because of her efforts. Thank you Ms. Jackson!