Mary Frances Hogg was honored for her 50-plus years of service with the League of Women Voters at their membership meeting on Feb. 7, at the Great Bend Senior Center. She has been a member of both the Great Bend and Salina LWV and held various officer positions. With family and League members in attendance, President Janice Walker recounted some of her past milestones. She and her husband Wilbur Hogg Sr. lived in Ellinwood most of their married life where they raised sons Dale and Jonathan. They met while attending Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina.

While Wilbur Hogg taught at Ellinwood High School for over 40 years, Mary Frances taught in the elementary school and worked as a librarian. Both Wilbur and Mary earned their master’s degrees from Emporia State Teachers College. Mary Frances was a math major with a master’s degree in library science. For 26 years, she was the reference librarian at what was originally Barton County Community Junior College, retiring in 1995.

After retirement, the couple was active with the Ellinwood High School Latin Club, traveling across the United States and Canada as chaperones for Latin Club conventions.

At 87 years of age, Mary Francis moved to Brookdale Senior Living in Great Bend several months ago from Salina.

Family members recounted that their mother supported many social justice causes, from protesting the war with nuns at the Schilling Air Force Base in Salina to fighting for LGBTQ rights. The League thanks Mary Frances for her time and energy in making the world around her a kinder place to live.

The LWV is a non-partisan group that neither supports nor opposes candidates or political parties at any level of government but works on vital issues of concern to members and the public. The League is open to all persons at least 16 years of age. For more information, contact Janice Walker at 620-617-4568 or email janicew1949@gmail.com.