2024 Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame

A former educator, university president and senator, Roy Blunt has a long and distinguished career in public service. Besides teaching high school history from 1970-72 and leading Southwest Baptist University (SBU) as president from 1993-96, he worked in county office to Capitol Hill for over four decades until his retirement from the U.S. Senate in 2023. Throughout his career, Blunt developed long-lasting, bipartisan partnerships that led to major legislative achievements in health care, infrastructure and national security. He is the current president of State Historical Society of Missouri and chairman of Husch Blackwell Leadership Strategies Advisory Services.

Dr. Norma Champion has lived many lives during her 91 years: From professor to senator. But she is perhaps most well-known to longtime Ozarks residents as Aunt Norma on “The Children’s Hour,” which aired on KY3 for nearly 30 years. Later in life, Champion found other ways to serve the public and began her career in politics as a Springfield City councilwoman. She ran for a Republican seat in the Missouri House, where she served for 10 years and finally served as a Missouri State senator from 2003-10. Champion is retired and resides in Springfield with her husband.

Chris Chinn, a fifth-generation Missouri farmer from Clarence, has led the Missouri Department of Agriculture as director since 2017. A passionate advocate for agriculture, Chinn leverages social media and public speaking to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers. She created the MORE Strategic Initiative to advance the state’s No. 1 industry. Her leadership roles include chairing and serving on the boards of various national agriculture organizations. She also contributes her time and expertise to community and state groups, as well as helps manage her family’s diverse farming operations in Shelby County.

Annie Malone, born August 9, 1869, in Metropolis, Illinois, was an entrepreneur, community leader and philanthropist. She left high school to focus on hairdressing and at 20, created a shampoo and scalp treatment. By 1902, she developed a non-damaging hair straightener for African American women. She moved her business to St. Louis, expanding her product line and company under the name “Poro.” Despite racial barriers, she succeeded, mentoring Madam C.J. Walker and supporting Black women’s education. Relocating to Chicago in 1930, Malone left a legacy with Poro beauty colleges in 30 cities. She died on May 10, 1957.