To order images and/or obtain permission to use them commercially, please contact the KSHS Reference Desk at KSHS.reference@ks.gov or 785-272-8681, ext. 117.
For more information see the Copyright and Permission FAQ.
This is a collection of photographs showing Blanche Parks and her family. Blanche, the daughter of Nile Eugene, Sr. and Fern (Dickinson) Williams, grew up in Leavenworth, Kansas and graduated from Leavenworth High School. After high school, she attended Washburn University and graduated with Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Also, she earned the Kansas Certified Public Manager designation from Kansas University. After graduation, Blanche taught in the Topeka Public Schools and later worked as a manager and director in various Kansas State agencies. She developed, implemented and directed the Kansas 529 College Savings Program in the Kansas State Treasurer's office. While director, the program held $40 million in assets and ranked in the top five college savings programs in the nation. Also, she was employed in the Kansas Department of Human Resources as a Special Assistant to the Secretary, she oversaw the Job Corps Program for the State of Kansas, the Governor's Council on Employment and Training. Also, she served as a Senior Manager in the Division of Information and Community Resources at the Department on Aging. Blanche served on the Job Service Employers' Committee and the Summer Youth Program under the Job Training Partnership Act, National Advisory Committee on Special Minimum Wages under the Secretary of the United States Department of Labor, Elizabeth Dole. Blanche is active in many community organizations, which includes President of the YWCA Board of Directors, the Kansas Children's Service League Topeka Advisory Council, Washburn University Board of Regents, Downtown Topeka Rotary, Topeka Human Relations Commission, Melody Brown Board of Directors, established the YWCA East Blanche Parks Girls to Girl Program, Who's Who in American Women, and the National Board of Directors for the YWCA. She received many awards including Who's Who in American Women. Blanche married Topeka attorney Sherman A. Parks, Jr. and they have two children Michael and Stacey. In 2000, Sherman and Blanche were named to Topeka's 2000 Profiles in Power by The Topeka Capital-Journal.
Date: 1967-2017
Item Number: 447460
Call Number: Digital file, KSHS, 2018-108
KSHS Identifier: DaRT ID: 447460
Collections - Photograph
Community Life - Clubs and organizations - Social and Civic - Links, Incorporated
Community Life - Clubs and organizations - Social and Civic - Rotary Club
Community Life - Clubs and organizations - Social and Civic - YWCA
Date - 1960s
Date - 1970s
Date - 1980s
Date - 1990s
Date - 2000s
Date - 2010s
Objects and Artifacts - Communication Artifacts - Documentary Artifact - Newspaper - clipping
Objects and Artifacts - Communication Artifacts - Documentary Artifact - Photograph
People - Notable Kansans - Parks, Blanche Cecile
People - Notable Kansans - Parks, Gordon, 1912-2006
People - Notable Kansans - Parks, Sherman A., Jr.
People - Notable Kansans - Parks, Sherman A., Sr.
Places - Cities and towns - Topeka
Places - Counties - Shawnee
Type of Material - Newspapers - Clippings
Type of Material - Photographs
Type of Material - Printed materials - Invitation
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/447460