Galloway, May, Billings bring in crowd at NWPC-STL galvanizing gutsy women gala

ST. LOUIS – The National Women’s Political Caucus of Metro St. Louis (NWPC-STL) hosted its Galvanizing Gutsy Women for 2020 gala brunch with special guests Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway, Missouri State Senator Karla May and Patrice Billings.

There was a full house at the gala on Saturday. Gala representatives shared that the event sold out three months prior.

“We need balance in Jefferson City,” Galloway said. “We have women leading the way over and over again across the state, making sure our voices are heard.”

“There comes a time that we must think about change,” Moore said. “This is it.”

“As women, we have many purposes in life. We’re constantly re-inventing ourselves. The best way to honor our purpose is to be authentically ourselves,” Billings said. “We need to live and lead from our true identities.”

“Understanding the dynamic change in St. Louis City and across the state gave me the passion to run,” May said.

Local political leaders and candidates gathered in support of the progressive women representing the St. Louis region at Saturday’s gala.

In addition to the inspiring words from Galloway, May, and Billings, Missouri Representative Tracy McCreery and Kathy McKemy spoke in remembrance of Barbara Bennett, former executive director of Safe Connections.

“My experience at Safe Connections is what made me want to run for office,” McCreery said.





Galvanizing Gutsy Women For 2020 Gala Sponsors

Honorary Chairs:

Marcia Melitz, Sandra Moore, and Corinne Austin

Gala Hosts:

Corinne Austin, Sally Barker, Hon. Susan Block, Susan Carlson, Maxine Clark, Laura Cohen, Hon. Rita Heard Days, Kelli Dunaway, Hon. Nancy Farmer, Bonnie Filandrinos, City of St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura Jones, Missouri Representative Deb Lavender, Renee Marver, Teona McGhaw-Bouré, Kathy McKemy, Nina Needleman, Prof. Kim Norwood, Hon. Sharon Pace, Ann Ross, Dana Sandweiss, Dr. Priya Sudarsanam, Mark Utterback, Betty Van Uum, and Lisa Orden Zarin

Supperts:

Kim Austin, Dorothy White Coleman, Esq., Robbye Frank, Hon. Barbara Fraser, Hon. Jeanne Kirkton, Missouri Representative Tracy McCreery, Ellen Moceri, Jill Evans Petzall, and Rose Lynn Sokol

Friends:

Dr. Margaret Baum, Terri Beaty, Marie Carlie, Sarah Crossley, Luana Gifford, Sheila Greenbaum, Andrea Jackson, Susan Kidder, Jean Maylack, Hon. Mary Nichols, Mary Schoolman, Laura Stanton, Linda Tucker, and Mary Wochner

NWPC’s mission is to recruit, train, and elect progressive women candidates for elected and appointed office. Candidates endorsed by NWPC-STL are supported by the Eastern Missouri Political Action Committee (EMPAC).