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Welcome to the Pioneers in Health podcast. In this podcast, we share inspiring stories of pioneering leaders from our nation and from your backyard who are working to improve health.
In episode 49, we interview Tracy Quillin, associate director of Humanities Kansas. Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit leading a movement of ideas. Since 1972, HK’s programming, grants and partnerships have documented and shared Kansas stories to spark conversations. Together with statewide partners and supporters, HK encourages Kansans to draw on histories, literatures, and cultures to create connections with one another and strengthen Kansas communities and our democracy.
In this episode, she shares how her early years shaped her interest in the arts. She remembers going on a field trip to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and looking at artifacts that were thousands of years old. It made an impression on her seeing items that old.
She also loved celebrating Kansas Day and learning about Kansas history.
“Those are really core memories to me,” she said.
It led to her pursuing college courses in history and art history, ultimately majoring in art, art history and history of culture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She later pursued a master’s degree in historical administration and museum studies with an emphasis in history from the University of Kansas.
In this episode, she discusses:
- Her first full-time job, where she would dress up as a 1904 school teacher and teach fourth and fifth graders
- Working at the Johnson County museum
- Working for Humanities Kansas and sharing stories from history across the state
- The mission and work of Humanities Kansas
- The “Americans” exhibit and partnering with Native American tribes
- The “Declaration 1776” exhibit that will be traveling across the state to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday, as well as declaration conversations they’re hosting
- The goals of Kansas folk life
- Convening Kansas historians and celebrating the story of Kansas
- What drives the work forward despite current challenges in funding
- What gives her hope
And much more! Listen now, and learn more about how Tracy is an innovative leader in Kansas.
Please see the Pioneers in Health page on our website for more information on our podcast series and links to other episodes.
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