Why am I running?

As a longtime Maplewood resident, a proud graduate of MRH (Class OF 1994) who has had children in the school district since kindergarten, and a new homeowner, I am running for city council to show my unwavering support for all citizens of Maplewood. 

If you know me and my family, you know that we don’t judge others based on financial status, housing status, education, appearance, marital status, religion, age, race, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, language.  I hope you get the idea. We believe in accepting people for who they are, but we also strongly believe in the importance of how they treat others—and yes, how they treat animals as well.

With my deep roots in this community, I believe I can represent not only the newer residents of Maplewood, but also those who have lived here for many years.

I want to advocate for all residents of Maplewood—whether you're young or old, in a relationship or not, a renter, a homeowner, or hoping to buy a home one day, a new resident or a long-term resident. Whether you're financially well-off, struggling, or somewhere in between, every resident deserves to be represented and heard.

During my time here, I feel that Maplewood has been a diverse neighborhood, and no one should ever feel excluded. While I recognize that this hasn’t always been the case in the past, it’s important to understand that we won’t always agree on every issue. However, I will do my best to represent all the people in my ward, including those with different opinions on the matters the City Council addresses. I am committed to ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard and that all residents are treated with the respect they deserve.

Diversity includes not only differences in background and identity but also in ideas and lived experiences. We must move away from echo chambers that stifle dialogue and collaboration. Instead, we need to foster productive conversations, even when they are difficult, as these can lead to the best solutions. We need to move forward as a community, focused on the well-being of all, despite our differences.

What are my Goals?

Supporting the Residents of Maplewood

I want to make sure that not only those who may need extra help, whether it's the single parent or guardian struggling to make ends meet, the elderly living on a fixed income who must choose between food and electricity, or the unhoused resident trying to find housing, legal support, or employment opportunities—to those who are thriving and looking for ways to contribute to our community’s growth and success.

On the evening of December 16th, 2016, I stood with my class at my graduation and pinning ceremony and recited the Florence Nightingale Pledge:

"I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous and will not knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care."

This oath emphasizes ethical conduct, patient well-being, confidentiality, and lifelong learning—principles that guide not only my profession but also my daily life. I believe these principles can serve me well as a member of the City Council. Ethical conduct, in particular, is crucial. However, instead of patient well-being, I would focus on the well-being of every resident and neighbor, as their well-being is of the utmost importance.

Supporting our first responders and other city employees 

We must ensure that our police officers and firefighters have the tools and resources they need to keep both the residents of Maplewood and themselves safe, this is essential!  These dedicated individuals play a vital role in preventing crime and responding to emergencies, and it’s our responsibility to provide them with the proper tools to do their jobs effectively.

Equally important is supporting all of our city employees. From public works to administration, they are the backbone of our community, helping to keep Maplewood running smoothly every day. It is crucial that we ensure they have the resources, training, and support they need to serve our residents with excellence.

Supporting Maplewood’s businesses

Maplewood’s businesses, both small and large, are vital to the economic health of our community. We need to work to keep businesses that have been here for years thriving while also attracting new businesses to our community. A strong business base creates jobs, supports local families, and adds to the vibrancy of our neighborhood.

Equally important is filling empty retail spaces to ensure that Maplewood remains a dynamic and welcoming place for both residents and visitors. By supporting and encouraging the growth of businesses, we can continue to build a strong, diverse local economy that benefits everyone.

IS THE MAPLEWOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT’S GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL? | 40 South News

What I will if elected to City Council:

• I will make sure that Council's priorities with those of our community.

• I will listen to my constituents and make sure that their voices are heard.

• I will research issues in front of the Council, introduce legislation and vote to provide the best possible solutions to the problems facing the City of Maplewood and its citizens. 

Where I come from and how I ended up in Maplewood:

I was born and raised in St. Louis, and my family moved to Maplewood in 1990 after we lost our home in Shrewsbury to a house fire. At the time of the fire, we were renting, and the landlord decided to renovate the house and rent it out for a higher price, leaving us in search of a new place to live. We were priced out of Shrewsbury and the Affton area, where we had attended school, and my parents worked tirelessly to find an affordable home that would provide a good education and a safe environment for their three daughters.

After a long search, we found a home to rent on Richmond Place in Maplewood. It was a huge change for us—so much space compared to our old rental! We went from having just two bedrooms and only one bathroom for our family of five, to each of us having our own room, two bathrooms, and even a basement. It was a real upgrade, and we immediately felt at home.  My parents eventually had the opportunity to purchase the rental—an exciting and significant milestone for our family. My mom, Charlene, and my baby sister, Rebecca, still live in that home today, and it has remained a foundation for our family’s journey in Maplewood.

My school years in Maplewood:

I started school at Valley, now the Early Childhood Center, in 7th grade. I was nervous about transferring from the Affton School District, where my siblings and I had been teased about the clothes we wore, getting free lunches, and my dad driving a cab. But that wasn’t my experience at MRH at all. I always tell people that MRH truly felt like home. Even though many of my classmates had been together since kindergarten, I quickly made friends, and I loved the smaller environment—there were only about 80 students in my 7th-grade class, which was a big difference from the 400-student classes I was used to. In high school, I got involved in student council, yearbook, and the school newspaper.

I graduated from MRH in 1994, and my siblings graduated in 1996 and 2001. I’m proud to still be friends with many of my classmates, some of whom I’ve known since arriving at MRH. 

Even in 2025, I continue to run into people I went to school with at MRH events, as their kids and even grandkids are now part of the MRH family.

My community ties:

Throughout my time in Maplewood, I was also very involved at Immaculate Conception Parish, where my family attended weekly Mass. My middle sister and I became active members of the Catholic Youth Council (CYC), dedicating ourselves to supporting and organizing various church events. We were especially involved in the annual Country Fair held in the parish gym, an event that brought the community together for fun and fellowship. Additionally, we volunteered regularly at bingo on Thursday evenings, helped run the concession stand, and worked at the Lenten Fish Fries.

My role as a wife and mother:

In 1998, I began dating David Long, another former Maplewood resident. After living on Flora for a few years, then moving to Dogtown, we eventually settled in the Bevo Mill area, where I bought my first home in 2000. We married in 2003 and together had two wonderful children: Cheyenne, born in 2005, and Sierra, born in 2007.

Cheyenne, now 19, attended MRH until 2022 when she moved in with her dad. During her time at MRH, she was an active and involved student—coordinating a Shoebox Drive for tornado victims in Perryville, Missouri, and participating in choir and student council. 

Sierra, who graduated early in December 2024, will walk across the stage with the rest of the Class of 2025 in May. She has always been an athlete, playing soccer, softball, and basketball both in MAA and at the high school level. Since the summer of 2024, Sierra has worked as a lifeguard at The Heights, starting at the Maplewood Aquatic Center. After graduation, she plans to join the National Guard before pursuing her college education.

Both of my girls were also actively involved in Girl Scouts, dedicating their time to community service. From attending meetings, selling cookies, and collecting bags for April Showers to raising funds for Buddy Benches at local schools and donating supplies to the APA, they have always been passionate about helping others.

At Immaculate Conception, both girls were deeply involved, attending PSR, serving as altar servers, collecting donations at weekly Mass, and bringing up the gifts. They both received their First Communion there, and during the pandemic, my mother stepped in as their PSR teacher to ensure they could still receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. As a family, we volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry and helped with the Fish Fry until it ended in 2018.

Raising my daughters in this community, and seeing them follow in the footsteps of service and involvement, has been a source of great pride.

My journey of caring for my dying father:

In February of 2009, my father, Richard, was diagnosed with Stage IV Glioblastoma. After receiving the diagnosis, we brought him home on hospice care and set up a hospital bed in the living room. The doctors told us he had between 6 to 12 months to live. At that time, I was a stay-at-home mom to my young daughters, who were just 3 and 4 years old. My girls and I spent the days with my father, while my sisters Renee ad Rebecca, and my mom, Charlene, had to continue to work during the day.  Our family came together with incredible strength and love during such a challenging time. It was both heartbreaking and yet profoundly meaningful to be able to spend those precious moments with my dad, especially with my young daughters around.  However, because of this they were able to form their own memories with him. My family was always supporting each other—balancing work, caregiving, and the emotional toll that was very overwhelming at times.  We had an amazing sense of teamwork. At times, it took a lot to coordinate things, especially when all family members were stepping into different roles and still had our daily responsibilities.

Hospice care from SSM provided invaluable support, assisting with nursing, baths, and respite care for our family. During those months, the overwhelming love and kindness from our Maplewood community made all the difference. Neighbors, classmates from my school years, and parish members from Immaculate Conception frequently visited, offering comfort, support, and compassion.

Sadly, my father passed away on the 4th of July 2009. His services were held at Jay B. Smith Funeral Home and at Immaculate Conception. Losing my father was one of the hardest experiences of my life, but the support we received from the Maplewood community made that difficult time more bearable. The outpouring of love and care from those around us left a lasting impression on me, and it again solidified the importance of community and how we can rely on each other in times of sorrow.  Those six months of caring for my father also opened my eyes to the fulfilling and impactful work that comes with a career in healthcare, particularly nursing.

My journey to become a Registered Nurse:

I realized during that time that I wanted to pursue a nursing career, so I enrolled at St. Louis Community College in the fall of 2009, marking the beginning of my journey to become a nurse.

In July of 2010, David and I made the difficult decision to amicably part ways. At the time, I was still a stay-at-home mom, but I had also taken on the challenge of attending school full-time. While my family was incredibly supportive, the distance between us and the demands of balancing school with raising my girls became a growing challenge.

In December of 2010, my family helped me move into a cozy apartment on Bellevue in Maplewood. I continued my studies and worked part-time as a home health aide at Martha's Hands. This job gave me the flexibility to work around my girls' schedules—school, sports, and church activities—while also continuing my education. It allowed me to connect with clients in my community, helping them with everyday tasks like bathing, shopping, cooking meals, and household chores. Often, I was the only person these clients saw for days or weeks at a time, which made the work deeply rewarding. I developed a special bond with many of my clients, who reminded me of my grandparents, and my passion for geriatrics began to grow.

I continued working at Martha's Hands until I was accepted into the nursing program at St. Louis Community College at Meramec in the spring of 2014. The program was more demanding than my prerequisite courses, with a schedule that required flexibility and adaptability. Despite the challenge of balancing my work and study commitments, I remained focused and determined to achieve my goal of becoming a nurse, knowing that it was a meaningful step toward making a difference in the lives of others.

As my nursing journey progressed, I realized that in order to meet the increasing demands of my program, I would need to adapt and find a job that provided relevant hands-on experience. In pursuit of this, I began working as a bath aide for Pinnacle Senior Care, now known as Harmony Cares, based in Brentwood, Missouri. Pinnacle provided in-home services for patients who were homebound—these patients were typically recovering after a hospital stay or referred by their doctors for additional care. Services offered included nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and bath aide services.

In this role, I visited patients' homes one to two times a week to assist them with bathing and other personal care needs. It was a perfect fit for my busy schedule, allowing me to balance my studies while gaining invaluable practical experience. The job not only helped me refine my clinical skills but also deepened my passion for healthcare, particularly in working with individuals who required extra care and attention.

Working as a bath aide further solidified my desire to become a nurse. It gave me the opportunity to provide direct care, build meaningful connections with patients, and gain firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by individuals in need of at-home care. This role was an important stepping stone in my nursing career, allowing me to serve my community while continuing my education, and ultimately confirming that I was on the right path to becoming a nurse.

Throughout my nursing journey, I have been incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of my family, friends, and other Maplewood families. During nursing school, I temporarily moved back home with my mom and sister, and they became my lifeline. Their encouragement and support, from my village, made it possible for me to juggle early morning clinicals, long nights of studying, and shifts that often extended well past 6 p.m. Their unconditional love and sacrifice were crucial in helping me navigate the challenges of nursing school. I will always be thankful for their support, which was instrumental in helping me achieve my goal of becoming a nurse.

My career as a Registered Nurse:

I graduated from the nursing program in December of 2016, which was a monumental achievement in my journey to becoming a nurse. I was fortunate to stay with Pinnacle Senior Care, the company where I had worked throughout nursing school. Transitioning from my role as a Home Health Aide (HHA), I moved into the position of part-time RN Case Manager. I passed my nursing boards in February of 2017.  I officially began working full-time as an RN Case Manager at Pinnacle Senior Care in April 2017.

In June 2022, I took on a new challenge and accepted a position as an RN Case Manager at Amedisys Home Health in Sunset Hills, Missouri, where I continue to work. 

My experiences with both Pinnacle and Amedisys have provided me with the privilege of serving a wide variety of patients from all walks of life. I work with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including various nationalities, neighborhoods, races, religions, financial statuses, mental statuses, medical diagnoses and sexual preferences, ensuring that each patient receives the medical care they need in the comfort of their home.

The patients I care for come from all corners of the St. Louis area, ranging from affluent neighborhoods to more modest communities. They live in luxury homes, small apartments, assisted living, or shared housing. Many are veterans who served during wartime, while others did not. Some depend on social security, while others are supported by pensions they earned after a lifetime of work. Regardless of their circumstances, all my patients receive the same level of dedicated, compassionate care. This commitment to providing exceptional care is at the core of my work and continues to fuel my passion for home healthcare.

My housing journey during nursing school and after becoming a Registered Nurse:

In May 2015, I was able to move into a duplex on Flora, marking a step toward more independent living, as my work allowed me to afford this new chapter.

By August 2017, I had the opportunity to move into a house on Bartold Avenue. A friend from MRH had lived there for seven years and was ready to buy her own home. The landlord was offering the house for just $850 per month, an incredible deal that I couldn't pass up!  Many people from Maplewood might not know where Bartold Avenue is, as it's tucked away on a quiet, dead-end street. We were fortunate to find such a hidden gem. The house provided plenty of space for my family, with rooms for each of my girls, a basement for storage, and a large front yard where we could finally plant a garden. The fenced backyard was perfect for getting a puppy, something my girls had always wanted. And all of this was available for only $850 a month! It truly felt like a blessing, and it was the perfect place for us to create new memories as a family.

Unfortunately, in September 2023, my landlord decided it was time to sell the property. The new owners informed us that they planned to tear down the 100+ year-old farmhouse due to the extensive repairs it needed, and we would need to move. We later found out that they did not tear the home down, they just had other uses for it.  The sale came as a shock, and we immediately began searching for a new place to live, preferably in Maplewood or Richmond Heights. However, finding a place that would accommodate our accumulation of animals was challenging, especially with rental prices ranging from $1,200 to $2,000 per month and that wasn't even including pet deposits or monthly charges.

In the meantime, I moved back into my mother’s home with my 17-year-old daughter, my three dogs, and our cat, while we continued our search for a suitable place. 

Once again, Maplewood came through for me through the kindness of a longtime friend. I reached out to Christy Kramlich, a local real estate agent whom I had known for years. She had helped one of my best friends find a home, and I had always promised to call her when I was ready. This time, I was ready to buy a home instead of renting. My dream had always been to own a house in Maplewood, but as a single mother, I wasn’t sure it would be possible. Additionally, Sierra was in her junior year of high school, and I didn’t want to uproot her just before her senior year. Christy, my sister, Sierra, and I looked at several homes outside of Maplewood, but nothing felt right. I knew I couldn’t settle for a place that didn’t feel like home. After two months of searching, I decided to take a break. I told Christy I just didn’t have the energy to keep looking, but if something came along, I would consider it. A few weeks later, Christy called me with a house she thought would be perfect for me. I was hesitant to get my hopes up, but when I saw the house on Alicia Court, it checked almost every box. And the best part—it was in Maplewood!

We closed on the house in December 2023, and I’m now a proud homeowner in this wonderful neighborhood. I absolutely love our new cul-de-sac, where Sierra can finish her senior year at the same school she’s attended, my dogs have a huge backyard to run and play in, and I have a place to call my own. This journey has been full of challenges, but with the support of my family and community, I’ve finally achieved my dream of homeownership in Maplewood.