Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas
The Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas have been honoring individuals since early 20th century who have made contributions to Kansas, the nation, and the world. The Native Sons was first organized in Topeka in 1902 to unite all native Kansans in “one harmonious body” to labor for the best interests of the state. This early organization dissolved shortly after its founding.
In 1915 the Native Daughters of Kansas was founded by Mrs. Dewitte C. Nellis of Topeka. It was meant to preserve Kansas history, show loyalty to Kansas traditions, honor pioneer ancestors, and instill patriotism in youth. In 1918 the Native Sons became active, and in 1919 the two groups began holding joint meetings. Eventually they merged to form the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas.
One of the combined group’s early projects was championing a bill before the state legislature providing for an appropriation to improve John Brown Park in Osawatomie. The organization has since been involved in a number of projects that include designing a state service flag in honor of Kansas natives who served in World War I, and erecting a monument honoring pioneer women.
Annual meetings are held on the eve of Kansas Day and include the announcement of Kansan of the Year, awarded to notable people born in the state, and Distinguished Kansans. The annual meeting also includes an announcement of the winner of the annual story contest, which was begun about 1931 with a collegiate oratorical contest. In 1936 a high school essay contest was added. Today all Kansans are invited to participate.
Learn more about the Historical Society's Native Sons and Daughter of Kansas manuscript collections. Visit the organization's website at Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas.
Kansans of the Year
2010 - Deanell Reece Tacha
2009 - Robert M. Gates
2008 - Delano E. Lewis
2007 - Jim Richardson
2006 - Max Falkenstein
2005 - Martina McBride
2004 - Lynette Woodard
2003 - Bob Dole, Russell
2002 - Jack St. Clair Kilby, Dallas, Texas
2001 - Ross Beach, Hays
2000 - Dean Smith, Chapel Hill
1999 - Shirley Knight, Goessel
1998 - Pat Roberts, Dodge City
1996 - Robert Sudlow, Lawrence
1995 - Stan Herd, Lawrence
1994 - Samuel Ramey, Colby
1993 - John Brooks Slaughter, Topeka
1992 - Stephen A. Hawley, Salina
1991 - Marynell Reece, Scandia
1990 - Jordan Haines, Wichita
1989 - Bob Billings, Lawrence
1988 - Marianna K. Beach, Hays
1987 - Fred C. Bramlage, Junction City
1986 - George E. Nettles, Jr., Pittsburg
1985 - Gordon Parks, Fort Scott
1984 - Bernard W. Rodgers, Fairview
1983 - Mrs. Olive White Garvey, Wichita
1982 - Carl Nordstrom, Topeka
1981 - Joe H. Engle, Chapman
1980 - Keith G. Sebelius, Norton
1979 - Daphyne Smith Cauble, Wichita
1978 - G.W. Tomanek, Hays
1977 - Emerson D. Yoder, Denton
1976 - J. Rex Duwe, Lucas
1975 - Nyle Miller, Topeka
1974 - Edward W. McNally, Pittsburg
1973 - Lyle E. Yost, Hesston
1972 - Robert L. Brock, Topeka
1971 - Ray E. Dillon Sr., Hutchinson
1970 - Duane L. Wallace, Wichita
1969 - Charles B. Rogers, Ellsworth
1968 - Hugh F. Edwards, Hamilton
1967 - Debbie Barnes, Moran
1966 - Jim Ryun, Wichita
1965 - Debbie Bryant, Overland Park
1965 - Jim Ryun, Wichita
1964 - Laurin W. Jones, Dodge City
1963 - Mrs. O.L. Koger, Topeka
1962 - Rees H. Hughes, Pittsburg
1961 - Harry Darby, Kansas City
1960 - Maurice E. Fager, Topeka
1959 - R.A. Clymer, El Dorado
1958 - Mrs. Frank Boyd, Mankato
1957 - Mrs. Olive Ann Beech, Wichita
1956 - Karl A. Menninger, Topeka
1955 - Arthur D. Weber, Manhattan
Distinguished Kansans
2010 - Shelia C. Bair
2009 - No award
2008 - Bill Self
2007 - Marc Addason Asher, M.D., Leawood
2006 - Dr. Richard Bergen, Salina
2005 - Marci Penner, Inman
2004 - Emery E. Fager, Topeka
2003 - Ruth Garvey Fink, Topeka
2002 - General Richard Myers, Arlington, Virginia
2001 - George Brett, Mission Hills
2000 - Jon Wefald, Manhattan
1999 - Pat Roberts, Dodge City
1998 - Bill Snyder, Manhattan
1997 - Elizabeth Farnsworth, Berkeley, California
1997 - Roy Williams, Lawrence
1993 - Donald C. Coldsmith, Emporia
1992 - Patricia Brooks Carey, Hutchinson
1991 - Ewing Kauffman, Shawnee Mission
1990 - Jim Lehrer, Washington, DC
1989 - Elizabeth “Grandma” Layton, Wellsville
1988 - General Larry D. Welch, Liberal
1987 - Wayne D. Angell, Ottawa
1985 - Richard D. Rogers, Topeka
1983 - Bill Kurtis, Chicago, Illinois
1983 - Zula Bennington Greene, Topeka
1982 - Bradbury Thompson, Riverside, Connecticut
1981 - Georgia Neese Gray, Topeka
1980 - Robert B. Docking, Arkansas City
1979 - George M. Stafford
1978 - Nancy Landon Kassebaum
1977 - James A. McCain, Topeka
1976 - Bob Dole, Russell
1972 - Henry A. Bubb, Topeka
1971 - Ronald E. Evans, Topeka
1969 - Alfred M. Landon, Topeka
Entry: Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: March 2012
Date Modified: March 2012
The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.
