Mary Homan moved to Saint Louis when she was just 2 weeks old. Her family, until recently, lived for 26 years in the Lindenwood Park Neighborhood. Mary purchased her first home just 4 blocks from where she grew up. Mary attended Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Grade School and is a proud alumnae of Nerinx Hall.

 

Mary's first job in high school was at Bradburn's School Supply, Inc. Her mentor, Barbara Larson, taught her the important lessons of hard work and discipline. Mrs. Larson rewarded hard work and focus with greater responsibility. After almost 5 years at Bradburn's, Mary learned a lot about the public schools.  More importantly, Mary learned the importance of dedicated teachers and parents.

 

Mary, a lifelong reader, has always appreciated the library and what the library has stood for. In 2003, she joined the team at the St. Louis Public Library. For three years, she served a wide array of patrons and staff as a front-line clerk. She was promoted to trainer where she taught the public computer classes. She organized staff trainings and in-service workshops. Part of the Know Better brand at St. Louis Public Library provided patrons with the resources to improve their lives. In her personal and professional life Mary strives to bring that Know Better brand wherever she goes.

 

Mary feels strongly about making the City of Saint Louis better. Part of that vision involves an increased quality of life for City residents. For that reason Mary joined the team of Controlling Asthma in Saint Louis in 2006. The CASL project worked with doctors, pharmacists, school nurses, and social workers to help kids with asthma. They worked to get kids taking their medicine and not going to the emergency department. After that grant ended, Mary started working with the Missouri Institute of Mental Health. She is part of the University of Missouri Medical School. Her job involves evaluating substance abuse and mental health agencies. She works with a team of evaluators to help agencies provide better services and reduce barriers to care. Mary has presented data and reports on behalf of numerous non-profits. She helps write grants and search for funding. Mary actively works with community members in partnership building and collaboration. She also serves as a health policy consultant for local and state legislators.

 

Through her work at the local, state and federal level, Mary found a great desire to be part of the political process. After much talk with neighbors, Mary realized it was her time to pay back all the support she has been given. She knew was in a position to step up the challenge of being the 23rd ward's Alderwoman. Mary has some exciting plans for bringing business to the ward, improving communication, and creating a greater sense of community. Mary is really excited about meeting residents and getting others excited about the ward.

 

Mary received her Bachelor of Arts in Theological Studies from Saint Louis University in 2004 and a Masters of Arts in Systematic Theology from Aquinas Institute of Theology. She has taken advanced courses in Economics, Public Sector Finance and Budgeting, Public Planning and Administration, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Public Health and Public Health Administration.