Neighbors In The News

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This young woman was 10 years old when the photograph above was taken. It will not surprise you to learn that she lived by the motto “fashion is looking at a magazine, but style is what YOU make it yourself.” She went on to become nationally and internationally known as director at the Fashion Group International, a consultant to Saks Fifth Avenue, and a consultant and speaker for Who’s Who in Fashion. She became best known locally for founding and operating a Kansas City landmark, Act II Boutique, which flourished for nearly 60 years and was known across the U.S.

By now many of you know the little girl was Gloria Everhart.

Gloria and her husband, George, lived in Rockhill for many years. George had an opportunity to buy seven “mid-century modern” homes on Rockhill Road. They were sold as one plot and zoned multi-family. Mr. Everhart rezoned the properties to single family, sold five and kept one for a rental property. He and Gloria lived in 7th, a home on 45th Street. They loved the location being right across from the Rockhill Tennis Club and the Nelson-Atkins. Gloria immediately put her fashion and design skills to work. The result was a home that was featured in numerous news and magazine stories and was part of the Vanderslice Homes Tour.

Seeing the elegance and beauty around Gloria might give the impression that this all came easy. But before jumping to that conclusion, think about the time when Gloria was growing up and the societal attitudes when she would have been starting her business. Gloria’s daughter, Galen Everhart-Clark, explained how things really were:

“Mom was an overcomer and a visionary. She had determination that could not be thwarted by anything. In the beginning of their marriage times were tough, especially financially. With five children at home, she was somewhat trapped as far as contributing to the urgent financial need.

Celebrating Gloria Everhart 

As a little girl, around the age of three or four, I remember her taking us on little red wagon rides through the neighborhood around 50th terrace in the Westwood area. She had devised a plan to collect the unused clothing of the neighbors and then resell them. Her bargaining chip was that she would keep half and they would keep half. So, holding my baby brother in my arms, we chartered through our neighborhood, knocking on door after door, collecting unused clothing in the little red wagon.

She would wash the clothes and then hang them on the back porch that was a part of the dining room. Before long she had collected several racks of clothing and the word got out that this was a fabulous secret place to pick up a quick bargain.
Then she quickly surmised that traveling to the wealthier neighborhoods would engender a far greater return, and the customers and gals in the neighborhood would not recognize someone wearing their once cherished item.

Eventually this business model would become Act II. After the family moved to 55th Street just a few steps away from Loose Park, Gloria’s operation continued to expand as she utilized a space in a carriage house on the property. A neighbor gently explained to Gloria that she wouldn’t be able to operate a business in a residential area, but then went on to help her move to a property on West 47th Street with zoning that permitted commercial activities. “The rest is history”.
Gloria made everyone who came to her store feel important. She shared insights into how to recognize quality designers and fabric so her customers were able to not only dress well for less, but to make purchases that would last and remain in style.
Gloria gave of herself serving on numerous boards. She befriended young women trying to find their way in the business world (just ask my wife, Jeffie). Gloria had tremendous energy and was determined to use it. She was asked in an interview how she did it and answered by saying, "I don't sit down. If I sit on the couch, I will want to hang out and stay there, and its harder and harder to get up. So I just don't sit down." This helps explain why you could regularly find Gloria – well into her 90’s – outside her beautiful 45th Street home tending to landscaping, sweeping the driveway, or heading to Costco, always dressed immaculately with a smile on her face.
No story about Gloria would be complete without mentioning what motivated and guided Gloria in all she did. In Gerry Carlson’s “President’s Message” he lauds what he calls the unsung heroes in the neighborhood. All those have praiseworthy reasons for their kind acts of service. For Gloria, her Christian faith was what sustained her and encouraged her to love, humility and good works.
What a life. One week short of 98 years, having passed away May 10, 2024.
Living in Rockhill is like being in a diamond mine. There are many precious gems in our midst if we’ll just do a little digging. Gloria is no longer with us, but there are many other neighbors with their own incredible stories. Let’s do all we can to share them sooner rather than later.