Mayor Kim Thomas featured in book, "A Passion of Her Own"
from the Stockton Sentinel

Stockton Mayor Kim Thomas is one of thirty-four Kansas women in Kathryn Sommer's book entitled, "A Passion of Her Own".  This is Sommer's second book highlighting the pioneering spirit of Kansas women.

Thomas is in the company of many pioneering women who include former Kansas senator Nancy Kassebaum Baker; Marci Penner, the force behind the Kansas Sampler Festival; Sr. Virginia Pearl of St. Joseph; historian Angela O. Bates, and music legend Melissa Etheridge.  Sommers has also included a pilot and aerospace engineer, a ranch hand, a sculptor, a business owner, a vet supervisor and a race car driver, to name just a few of their passions.

Thomas is featured as the first African-American female mayor in the state of Kansas as well as being recognized as the first female to enter traditional male jobs in her district of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.  Thomas' passion statement is as follows:  "I have a passion for future generations.  It is so important that we preserve this world, especially the natural resources, for our children.  We need to let younger generations see by our actions that we are here to help them.  They are our future and we are laying the groundwork for their future by our actions today."

A short, but very interesting and informative, autobiography and picture of Thomas is included in this book developed in black and white, as it is with each of the pioneering women featured.  The lives and the stories of these remarkable women are fascinating and it is one book the people of Kansas should be proud of.

At the present time, Thomas has the books for sale at the Stockton City Hall.  Thomas will be more than happy to autograph them for the customers.