Charlotte Belger, Raytown High School, Class of 1955

Charlotte Rhoads Belger graduated from Raytown High in 1955. During high school Charlotte honed the skills that would serve her as an adult by holding leadership roles in numerous extracurricular activities. During her adult years, Mrs. Belger has been active in a number of civic organizations. She was an officer in the Plaza Christian Women’s Club, the Sketchbox Committee for the benefit of the Kansas City Art Institute, the Research Hospital Service Auxiliary, and the Community Mental Health Organization. She was actively involved in the John and Edna Belger Family Foundation which collects and shows art at the Belger Arts Center in downtown Kansas City.

This past decade, Charlotte’s name has been synonymous with the Raytown Historical Society and Museum and the tours taken by various groups, including school childrean and class reunions. The Belger family became life members of the Society in 2001, and soon Charlotte became an advocate for “everything Raytown.” She is presently Director of Archives, after having served from 2004-2005 as First Vice President, and 2006-2009 as President. During her term as president the society showed a dramatic increase in membership and volunteer hours. The 60 year-old building in which the society is housed was in desperate need of repair. The community came quickly forward with needed funds, and the building was not only saved but won the fi rst Image Maker Award from the Raytown Chamber of Commerce.

Charlotte was awarded the “Raytown Outstanding Woman Leader” from the Raytown Women of Today in 2009. Many volunteers and Charlotte’s husband, John have always supported the Society. In 2007, when the Jackson County Historical Society presented their “Advocates of Local History Award” to them as a couple, it was a proud day. Charlotte and John have two children and four grandchildren, all of whom are Raytown School District graduates.