You Can Too! Storytime with Missouri Women Senators
Followed by an Ice Cream Social

Senator Angela Mosley, Senator Barbara Washington, Senator Cindy O’Lauglin, Senator Elaine Gannon, Senator Jill Schupp, Senator Karla Eslinger, and Senator Karla May
| 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Washington Library
Did you know Missouri recently celebrated its 200th birthday? In the 200 years of Missouri Statehood there have been 1,118 male senators and only 36 women senators. Do you know how many women currently serve? Come find out as several Missouri women senators share their stories featured in the book You Can, Too! Journey to the Missouri Senate. In this family-friendly program, we will learn what a senator does and hear firsthand from several state women leaders about how, when, and why they became Missouri Senators. Each youth participant will receive a complimentary copy of You Can, Too! and a take-home handout that looks like a page in the book to write and draw their own story. We will conclude the program with a fun ice cream and cookie social with the women senators.

Senator Cindy O’Lauglin lives in Shelbina, a small, rural community in Northeast Missouri. She and her husband have owned and operated a family trucking and concrete business for the past 25 years. She currently serves as the chair of the Senate Education Committee and works to improve education outcomes for all of Missouri’s children. Senator O’Laughlin graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a BSBA in Business in 1978. She has four sons and seven grandchildren.

Senator Elaine Gannon graduated from Bismarck High School, earned an associate’s degree from Jefferson County Community College, a bachelor’s degree in education at Southeast Missouri State University and a master’s degree in education from Southwest Missouri Baptist University. Senator Gannon taught junior high physical education and coached in De Soto Public Schools. Senator Gannon represents the seven counties that comprise the 3rd Senatorial District. Born in Bonne Terre and raised in Bismarck, Senator Gannon currently resides in De Soto with her husband. They have two sons and four grandsons.

Senator Jill Schupp is finishing her 14th and final year in the state legislature, her 22nd as an elected official. As a former teacher, advertising executive, spouse, mom and now a first time grandma, she cares deeply about making sure children are able to achieve their dreams. She is delighted to have the opportunity to work on this literacy project, including creating You Can, Too! to encourage children, and the people who love them, to help kids read, learn and grow! Jill lives in the 24th Senate District which encompasses a large part of West St. Louis County.

Senator Karla Eslinger is a graduate of Gainesville High School and holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from The College of the Ozarks. She also earned a master’s degree in education administration and a specialist degree in superintendence and educational system administration from Missouri State University. Senator Eslinger received her doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She began her career as an elementary school teacher and went on to work as a building principal and a superintendent of schools in Ava and West Plains. Senator Eslinger is a long-term resident of Wasola, where she and her husband reside on the family farm.

Senator Karla May represents the 4th Senatorial District. Before being elected to the Missouri Senate, she served as state representative for the 84th District in the Missouri House of Representatives. Currently, Senator May is the Minority Caucus chair and serves on Appropriations. Aside from her legislative duties, she is president and board member of the St. Louis Philanthropic. Born and raised in the City of St. Louis, Sen. May has been employed with AT&T for 25 years. She attends Grow 2 Go (G2G) Christian Center where she has served as youth minister since October of 2001. She holds an ASBA from Forest Park Community College and a BSBA from Saint Louis University.

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From Missouri Life

Washington, MO, August 25–27
info@missouribookfestival.com

Mark your calendars for the next Missouri Book Festival: September 13–14, 2024!

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