State Representative

Representative

Chair, Democrats of Faith Caucus, 2005-present

Member/Past Board Member, Greater Kansas City Women's Political Caucus, 2000-present

Member, Greater Kansas City Women's Political Caucus, 2000-2008

Secretary, Women's Legislative Caucus, 2005-2006

Shelter Staff, Hope House, 2005-present

PRN, Hope House Domestic Violence Shelter, 2005-present

Experience, Community Organizer

Program Director, Missouri Progressive Vote Coalition, 2000-2004

State Director, WILL-WAND, 2006-present

Board Member, Brush Creek Community Partners, 2005-present

Member, Privacy Rights of Missourians, 2004-present

Co-Founder, Kansas City Progressive Roundtable, present

Member, ASPCA, 2007-2008

Member, American Civil Liberties Union, 2004-2008

State Board Member, Missouri CASA, 2007-2008

Board Member, University of Missouri-Kansas Women's Council, 2007-2008

All Souls Unitarian Univeralist Church of Kansas City, 2004-2008

State Director, Women in Government, 2005-2006

Awards:

2003 Torch Award from the Greater Kansas City Women's Political Caucus
2005 Legislator of the Year Award from the Mid America MS Chapter
2006 Outstanding Legislator Award from Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri
2007 Outstanding Legislator Award from the Missouri Bar Association
2008 Outstanding Legislator Award from the Missouri Association of Circuit Judges and Circuit Clerks
2008 Outstanding Legislator Award from the Missouri Bar Association

Current Car:

UAW Manufactured Toyota Corolla

Date of Wedding Anniversary:

10-06-07

Father's Name:

James Eric Low

Father's Occupation:

Conservation Journalist

Favorite Author:

Jane Austen
David Sedaris
Kurt Vonnegut

Favorite Book:

Jane Eyre or Their Eyes Were Watching God

Favorite Color:

Red- I know that's a bit odd since I am a Democrat and we are supposed to prefer blue, what can I say? I like red.

Favorite Food:

My mom's homemade mac-n-cheese. Or maybe a big, juicey organic tomatoe with some olive oil, basil and fresh mozzerella on it.

Favorite President and Why:

FDR, because of his commitment to the idea that government should help you stand back up, rather than kick you, when you've fallen down. Every presidency has its mistakes, and his certainly did, but this core commitment to honoring and encouraging the inherent worth and dignity of every person still shines brightly as an example of what is best in our nation's tradition. Hope. Equality. Opportunity. Hard work. Community.

Favorite Quote:

"Facts are stubborn things, and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."
John Adams, 1770, argument in defenseof the British soldiers in the Boston Massacre Trials.

In a political climate where ideology is often allowed to trump what the facts tell us about good policy making, I think this is an especially relevant quote. I also believe it is important to note that the context of Adam's remarks is the defense of British soldiers whose government's policies and rule Adams adamantly opposed. What a fine example of courageous embracing of facts despite "the dictates of our passions".

Favorite Vacation Spot:

Camping just about anywhere with my husband and family.

First Car:

1985 Lebaron

First Job:

Working the counter at Zesto.

Hobbies or Special Talents:

I love to cook, bake, and read. I also spend a lot of time with my dogs, Mr. Bill and Lady Bug, who are both rescued Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Mother's Name:

Nancy Diane Low

Mother's Occupation:

Artist, and web course designer.

Name one thing you would most like to do before you die:

Live well enough that I leave the earth a slightly better place to live.

Person Most Want to Meet (Dead or Alive):

Too many to choose from! At the top of the list would be Susan B. Anthony, Jane Addams, Martin Luther King, Queen Elizabeth the 1st, and Jesus, in no particular order.

Personal Hero and Why:

Jane Addams, who founded Hull House, among other accomplishments. I admire the duration and breadth of her committment to advocacy for social justice is awe-inspiring to me. Although I dont embrace all of her political ideas, I believe that her accomplishments speak for themselves. She single handedly started the child-worker reform movement, the push for water sanitation and modern sewers, and the settlement house movement in our nation. Not bad for one little lifetime; and those are just the highlights.

Pets (include names):

Mr. Bill; a six year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who I adopted through the CKCS Rescue society after the puppy mill he was used at was shut down.
Lady Bug, and eight year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who we adopted through Forever Friends Rescue Society after she was rescued from an especially awful puppy mill where she was a breeding dog.

Priority Issues:

Healthcare
Higher Education
Early Childhood Education
Environment
Fair Elections
Government Accountablity
Reproductive Freedom & Comprehensive Sex Education

Reason for Seeking Public Office:

Like most people who run for office I had, and still have, a deep desire to serve my community and my state. Specifically, I wanted to further progressive policy ideas and be a voice for those who often go unheard; the poor, the elderly, children, and minorities. I feel that my background in social work gives me a useful perspective on many of the programs and issues that state government deals oversees.

Spouse's Occupation:

Attorney