Missouri Women's Council

Members of the Women's Council

	Sandra Jones, Bolivar - Chairperson Raised in St. Louis; graduated from Southwest Baptist University with a B.A. in Speech and Theatre; married for 37 years, with one daughter and two grandchildren; owned and operated 60-year family business for 30 years; currently Executive Assistant to the President and Board of Trustees of Ozarks Technical Community College; assisted with political campaigns for candidates and issues; a volunteer fund raiser in a number of local organizations; supporter and participant in performing arts. Term: 4/27/2006 to 12/06/2008 Party Affiliation: Republican
	Janet Nava Bandera, O’Fallon Janet Nava Bandera is the President of the Bandera Law Firm, PC. She specializes in estate planning and charitable giving, as well as assisting small and medium-size business owners with formation and succession planning. Janet is currently on the board of the Journal of Practical Estate Planning, published by CCH. She writes a bi-monthly column on charitable giving techniques. She also lectures on estate planning and charitable giving for local non-profit groups as well as financial services firms. Born in St. Louis County, Janet graduated, magna cum laude from the University of Missouri- St. Louis with a degree in Business Administration and earned her Juris Doctor from St. Louis University School of Law in 1995, graduating cum laude. Janet founded the 4W Club, an on-line community for women. The website connects women to information about financial and physical well-being as well as to women-owned businesses. She volunteers for Connections to Success, an organization working “to empower determined individuals with a plan and resources to achieve economic self-reliance". In addition, she is a trustee of the Moneta Group Charitable Foundation and the Chair of the Angel’s Arms Planned Giving Advisory Board. She is a past Board Member of Gilda’s Club, AMC Cancer Research Center and the American Cancer Society Planned Giving Board. Janet has made her home in St. Charles County for twelve years and lives in O’Fallon with her husband, Larry. Term: 5/7/2008 to 12/6/2010 Party Affiliation: Republican
	Kerri McBee-Black, Harrisburg Kerri has over 8 years experience advocating for women’s issues. Her experience includes advocacy, policy, community collaboration, and lobbying. Kerri earned a B.A. from Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri and a M.A. from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Kerri currently serves as Executive Director of a statewide non-profit, Alliance for the Status of Missouri Women, which is a multi-issue advocacy organization focused on developing pro-active policy impacting women and their families in Missouri. Kerri is married to Greg Black and they have a son Tucker Black. They reside in Harrisburg, MO. Term: 4/20/2004 to 12/06/2005 Party Affiliation: Democrat
	The Honorable Norma Champion Dr. Champion was elected to represent Springfield in the Missouri Senate in 2002 following 10 year’s service in the Missouri House of Representatives. She was re-elected to the Senate in 2006. Prior to her involvement at the state level, Senator Champion was a Springfield City Council member for five years. For nearly 30 years, she provided a positive influence for thousands of young Ozark residents through her role as Aunt Norma on the Children's Hour on KY-3 television. With a Master’s degree from Missouri State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma, Senator Champion has taught for 30 years and is a full-time professor at Evangel University, teaching in the fields of communications and political science. Senator Champion chairs the committee overseeing legislation relating to senior citizens, families, health and mental health. She also chaired the Interim Committee on Adoption Promotion and Child Support Enforcement in 2006 and was a long-time member of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. She currently serves on the Education; Gubernatorial Appointments; and Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics committees. In addition to her legislative duties, she is a current member of, or has served in, the following organizations: Women in Government; Lifetime Member of Missouri PTA; Boys and Girls Town of Missouri’s Advisory Board, Junior League Advisory Board; Parents as Teachers Advisory Board; Chairman of the Board of Berean University, Global University Board of Directors, Missouri Film Commission member; Division of Medical Services Medical and Technical Advisory Committee member; Midwestern Higher Education Commissioner; and the Commission on Christian Higher Education for the Assemblies of God. A mother and grandmother, Senator Champion is the widow of the late Rev. Richard Champion.
	The Honorable Rita Heard Days Senator Rita Heard Days was born on Oct. 16, 1950, in Minden, Louisiana, located approximately 40 minutes west of Shreveport. She graduated from Webster High School in 1968 and received a music degree from Lincoln University in 1972. With an open House seat for the 71st District in Missouri, Sen. Days ran for the position and was elected as a representative for the district in a special election in November 1993. Three years later, Sen. Days was elected by her peers as House Majority Whip and retained that position for the remainder of her time in the Missouri House of Representatives. Senator Days was elected to the Missouri Senate in 2002 where she currently serves on more than 10 committees, commissions, and councils. In her years in the Senate, she has drafted legislation addressing discrimination (2003), early childhood special education (2004), property taxes (2005), advanced voting systems for elections (2006), children’s mental health (2007), and ballot requirements for elections (2008). Some of Sen. Days’ legislative accomplishments include serving on the Commission on the Future of Higher Education, Joint Commission for Court Automation, Southern Legislative Conference Education Committee, Re-appointment Task Force Committee on the Assembly on State Issues of the National Conference of State Legislatures, Election Task Force, and the Council of State Government. Sen. Days is the proud mother of three wonderful children: Elliot, Natalie, and Evelyn.
	Michelle Esswein, St. Louis Michelle Esswein is Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Winning Women. Members of Winning Women are prominent women in business and leaders in their communities. Winning Women has established public/private sector partnerships to promote an economic environment conducive to business growth and development for women in business. Michelle Esswein holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from Webster University and Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. Michelle was appointed by the President of the United States to the National Women’s Business Council. On this Council, she provided an independent source of advice to both the President of the United States and the U.S. Congress on economic issues of importance to women entrepreneurs. Term: 2/17/2005 to 12/06/2010 Party Affiliation: Independent
	Terri Gray, Columbia Terri Gray has been an active member of the Missouri Women’s Council since 2000. She is employed with the University of Missouri as Director of Development, University Projects. In that capacity she works closely with students, parents, faculty and staff on a variety of special projects and fund raising initiatives. She is also active in several organizations within the community. Gray resides in Columbia with her husband, Rodney, and three children. Term: 11/20/2003 to 12/06/2005 Party Affiliation: Democrat
	Lorene James, Kansas City Lorene James directs the Adult Basic Education & Corollary Programs of the Kansas City, Missouri School District, where she has 36 years of service. She completed the FastTrac NewVenture Program and established CANDO, Inc., an educational consulting company. She earned a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Central Missouri State College in 1968 and a M.S. degree in Adult Education from Kansas State University in 1976. Lorene serves on the board of the Missouri Association of Adult & Continuing Education and Co-chair of the Commission on Adult Basic Education’s National Conference to be held in St. Louis in 2008. She loves helping others and involvement at Bethel AME Church. She is immediate past president of The Jackson County Chapter of The Links, Inc. and a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Lorene and Charles (Chuck) E. James have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Term: 10/11/2006 to 12/06/2008 Party Affiliation: Republican
	Nanci M. King, Jefferson City Nanci M. King founded and is President and CEO of an information technology-based company specializing in software development and Electronic Bill Payment and Presentment systems for commercial and electric utility companies. Co-founder of a financial services company which markets and offers various health and supplemental insurance lines and manages large case management software development services for insurance brokers and agents. She serves as President of an organized alliance of professional businesses and law enforcement personnel to protect businesses from economic loss as a result of high tech crime. Graduate of MS University for Women, Columbus, MS with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and performed graduate work in Adult Basic Education at Lincoln University. Nanci is a member of Zonta International, Technology Alliance for Business and Law Enforcement (TABLE), NAWBO, BPW and the National Association of Health Underwriters. Nanci has two grown sons and one grandchild. Term: 6/15/2006 to 12/06/2006 Party Affiliation: Republican
	Sarah R. Murray, Kansas City Sarah R. Murray, a resident of Kansas City. Graduated from Westminster College (Fulton, MO) in 1993 with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree. She received her Master's Degree in Business Administration from Rockhurst University (Kansas City, MO) in 2000. Sarah works at Hallmark Cards, Inc. in marketing. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired, the Board of Directors for Kansas City Consensus and the Kansas City Advisory Board for the Sue Schear Institute of Women in Public Life. Sarah and her husband Sean are active members of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Kansas City. Term: 2/28/2006 to 12/6/2010 Party Affiliation: Democrat
	The Honorable Marilyn Ruestman Representative Marilyn Ruestman is the Majority Caucus Secretary of the Missouri House of Representatives. She serves on the Senior Citizen Advocacy (vice-chair); Judiciary; and Professional Registration and Licensing committees. Representative Ruestman is a native of Newton and McDonald counties. She earned her B.S. degree at Missouri Southern State University and her M.S. degree with honors from Pittsburg State University.
	The Honorable Rachel Storch Rep. Rachel Storch, a Democrat, represents part of St. Louis City and County (District 64) in the Missouri House of Representatives. First elected in 2004, she currently serves as Deputy Whip for the Democratic Caucus. Rep. Storch serves on several House committees, including: Budget; Ways and Means; Appropriations for Transportation and Economic Development; and, Energy and Environment. This year, Rep. Storch was also appointed to serve on the Joint Committee for Legislative Research and the Joint Committee on Life Sciences. Prior to running for office, Rep. Storch served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor for former Senator Jean Carnahan in the United States Senate. She also worked as Legal Counsel and Director of Policy for State Senator and Democratic Floor Leader Ken Jacob. Before entering politics, Rep. Storch was a public interest attorney with Legal Services of Eastern Missouri and served for a year after law school as an Americorps*VISTA attorney at Legal Services. Rep. Storch is a member of the Missouri Bar Association. Rep. Storch also participates on several statewide and local boards, including the Children's Trust Fund; the Missouri Women's Council; the Cultural Trust Fund board of the Missouri Arts Council; and Nurses for Newborns, among others. She received her undergraduate degree, with honors, in American History and Literature from Harvard University and a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis where she was an Olin Fellow. Rep. Storch has been recognized by numerous organizations for her public service, including Missouri Chamber of Commerce "Spirit of Enterprise" Award; St. Louis RCGA "Lewis and Clark Statesman" Award; St. Louis Business Journal "Legislator of the Year" Award; St. Louis Cardinal Glennon Hospital "Champion of Children" Award; Paraquad "Disability Rights Legislative Leadership" Award, among others. In 2008, she was one of twelve Americans to be named an Eisenhower Fellow. Rep. Storch grew up in St. Louis and currently lives near Forest Park. She is the daughter of Dr. Greg and the late Debby Storch and the sister of Nate, Emily, and Thomas. Rep. Storch feels that it is a tremendous privilege to serve in the Missouri legislature.
	Karen Thornton, Sunrise Beach Karen Thornton was raised in Shawnee, Kansas and moved to California. She’s been married for 33 years to a native Californian. She quickly got involved in the community which included the Missouri Women’s Council. Karen has over 35 years of experience in administrative services, both in the corporate world and her own business, Karen’s Secretarial Service, in which she partners with her husband Steve. The service offers the expertise of a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor providing accounting services with QuickBooks Pro for the small and growing business. Currently the business provides support for a number of Lake Businesses, while still maintaining an active client base in California. Karen and Steve have 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. Term: 4/30/2008 to 12/6/2009 Party Affiliation: Republican
	Valerie White Valerie White is the Director of Marketing for White Auto Body. She is very active in her local business community and currently serves on the St. Charles County Family and Children Services Authority Board. Valerie is a native St. Louisan. She holds degrees from UM-St. Louis and Lindenwood College in St. Charles, Missouri. Term: 3/31/2005 to 12/06/2010 Party affiliation: Republican
	Donayle Whitmore-Smith, St. Louis Donayle is a native Missourian that was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. She earned her B.A. degree in Mass Communications (Broadcast Emphasis) at Southern University A& M College, Baton Rouge Louisiana. Donayle is a Management Consultant who is managing the campaign for School Choice in Missouri. She is proud member of the Black Alliance for Educational Options and St. Louis Health & Environmental Justice (Board Member). A dedicated wife (Lindley Smith) and mother of two daughters Saquera (8) and Mekesa (5). Term: 12/06/2006 to 12/06/2009 Party Affiliation: Democrat
	Mary Cottom, Executive Director, Jefferson City

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Missouri Women's Council
PO Box 1684
301 W. High Street, Suite 680
Harry S. Truman Office Building
Jefferson City, MO 65101

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(877) 426-9284
Phone:(573) 751-0810
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