Melissa Fuell Cuther, born in Warrensburg Missouri in 1886, dedicated her life to furthering the Black community. A former elementary teacher at Joplin’s Lincoln School, Cuther is widely known today as the first Black author of a book about the life of a Black musician. However, there is much more to Mrs. Cuther than this. Cuther dedicated her life to humanitarian works, even aiding in the construction of both Ewert Park and the George Washington Carver National Monument. Cuther dedicated her life to creating spaces for the Black community to thrive and honor their good works. Many activities for Black youth in the area, including Girl Scouts and the Ewert Little League, were made possible by the tireless efforts of Mrs. Cuther.