A Tribute to Grace Butler

And though she but little, she is fierce (William Shakespeare) perfectly described Grace Butler.  So much so that her family incorporated it into her memorial service.  Grace was small in stature, just under five feet, but fierce in determination.  To know Grace was to respect her.  She worked tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of women and girls.

In her more than six decades of service, Grace held many AAUW positions.  She was president of AAUW Missouri from 1991-1993 and went on to become Southwest Central Regional Director for two terms covering Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.  In that role, she also served on the national level. Most every state president in Missouri that worked with Grace has high praise for her.  She was filled with enthusiasm, wonder, excitement, and passion.  She could enthrall a crowd with one of her stories of life on her farm and then give another life-lesson about the issues facing women and girls.  Thus, she was frequently called ‘Amazing Grace.’  To those who knew and worked with her, she certainly was! Grace passed on October 11, 2023, just one month shy of her 97th birthday – still little and still fierce!

It is an honor for AAUW MO to present this tribute for Grace, an AAUW leader, mentor, tireless worker, champion of women, and dear friend.  We hope you will join us.

Susan Barley and Diane Ludwig, Tribute Co-Chairs