What does it mean to be a Missourian? For a long time, I wasn’t sure how to answer that question. Friends I’ve met in my travels have often asked what Missouri is like—what it’s known for, whether I like being from here. I usually end up talking about sunsets. I’ve never seen a prettier one...Read More

Empower Missouri’s storied history and the progress we’ve made has only been possible through the hard work of dedicated volunteers, coalition members, and other partners. We are thrilled to be celebrating this milestone year, and one of the highlights is celebrating the people that have made 125 Years of People-Powered Policy Change possible. We’ll be...Read More

Empower Missouri has been around since 1901. One hundred twenty-five years is a long time—long enough for generations to come and go, for laws to change, communities to grow, and new challenges to emerge. Long enough for thousands of volunteers to give their time, energy, and voices to building a better state. This work has...Read More

In 1901, a group of 41 Missourians came together to form the Missouri Conference on Charities and Corrections, the organization that would eventually become Empower Missouri. The group was deeply concerned about social conditions in the state and around the country: Segregation was the law of the land. Women couldn’t vote, and many died in...Read More

As part of Empower Missouri’s momentous 125th Anniversary celebrations, we are thrilled to announce our new Charles Ellwood Graduate Fellowship program, named for one of Empower Missouri’s founders and earliest Presidents. Ellwood dedicated his life and work to addressing social problems. He advocated for an ethical approach to sociology and taught his students to do...Read More

A sample of programs from Empower’s annual conference throughout the years. This week is a big one for Empower Missouri: the start of another legislative session and the start of our 125th Anniversary year. From our origins as a conference of 41 people in January of 1901 (the Missouri Conference on Charities and Corrections), through...Read More