Hello, Sunshine!
This bright and sunny sweater represents so much more than just a piece of clothing — it’s about a mindset.
Since moving to Kansas City over 20 years ago, I’ve been involved with a remarkable organization called Operation Breakthrough @operationbreakthrough.
Lina and I have always had a deep love for rule-breakers and glass-ceiling smashers — women passionate enough to risk their reputations for something greater than themselves. We talk about audacity often, because that’s exactly what it takes to step outside your comfort zone and take bold, meaningful risks.
For more than 40 years, two incredible women — Sister Berta Sailer and Sister Corita Bussanmas — nurtured Kansas City families facing real adversity. These two nervy nuns (yes, nervy — in the best possible way!) are still legends in this town for helping raise and educate literally thousands of children.
They took in babies and toddlers before the sun came up so moms could go to work. They taught preschool through 8th grade, giving their students exposure to the arts and sciences, encouraging service, and introducing career opportunities — all so these little people could imagine a bright future for themselves.
If families were homeless, the sisters found them housing. If someone needed a doctor or a dentist, they made it happen. They threw birthday parties, planned funerals, and attended hundreds of graduations.
To this day, parents and children remember them with so much love:
“They were the moms I never had.”
“They saw something in me I didn’t know I had.”
“They made me feel like I wasn’t alone anymore.”
“They pushed me through.”
“They never judged me.”
I’ll never forget Sister Berta’s philosophy: If you take care of the mom, you’re taking care of the whole family. That simple truth guided everything they did. They truly embodied the meaning of motherhood, and their legacy lives on at the little corner of 31st & Troost.
Remarkable things continue to happen at that corner — including the Ignition Lab, powered by Travis Kelce @killatrav. That spark has lit the way to a brighter future for so many kids at Operation Breakthrough. You can read more about it here.
We’re proud to dedicate 25% of the profits from this cheerful sweater to Operation Breakthrough — to support the good work happening there every single day.
Xoxo,
Mel