Chapter History
If wealth is measured by caring and compassion, Angie Aker ranks as a multimillionaire. She wore a variety of hats in many organizations, and touched the lives of people in need.
Two of her sons were diagnosed with sickle cell disease. Both died, one at 16, and the other at 26. From this tragedy, Mrs. Aker found her real mission in life.
She started the Kansas City Chapter for the Sickle Cell Disease. The reason she said, "No one should have to go through raising a sickle cell child alone." Angie Aker also worked to reform nursing homes, and other concerns of the elderly. She was one the founder of Mid-City Chapter of American Association of Retired Persons.
In 1975, she was named Woman of the Year among a seven state area by AARP. A year later, she was honored by President Gerald Ford as International Woman of the Year. When asked how she could live a life caring while living in poverty herself, Mrs. Aker replied, "It's a thing you learn to get use to. ...like having a corn on your foot, you get use to it.