For the 15th Ward

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do you pronounce your middle name? What does it mean?

My Middle name is Ellyia (pronounced ah-LEE-ah). My parents were Trekkies around the time I was born (true story) and named me after Ilia, the bald-headed lady in the first Star Trek Movie. They thought she was a very beautiful, strong, female character. They changed the spelling so that my initials would spell my name (MEG). This is what happens when you have a Philosophy professor and an English teacher for parents. 

Where are you originally from? Do you have any ties to Missouri?

I was born and raised in a rural university town called Oneonta (o-NEE-on-ta) in upstate NY. However, my parents are high-school sweethearts from Kansas City (the Missouri side), and most of my extended family lives in the Kansas City or Joplin areas.

Why are you running for Alderman?

Since I was a little girl, I've had a predisposition to help those less fortunate. My mom instilled in me my motto, "when you see a need, fill it." Taking that to heart, I've dedicated my life to working with underserved populations, mostly women and children. Whether it be pounding the pavement to register voters when I was not yet of age to vote, volunteering as a domestic abuse and rape crisis counselor in college, or leading the charge against "Right to Work" for the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 in the last legislative session, I have felt the calling to serve my community and give a voice to those who are most often voiceless. Running for Alderman is another way for me to serve my community and give a voice to those who are most often not heard. I fell in love with St. Louis and the 15th Ward almost as soon as I landed here. It would truly be an honor to represent the place I gladly call home.

What do you do for fun?

I am a very avid runner, participating in many 5ks, 10ks, and half marathons. My marathon training is currently on hold to pursue the honor of being the next Alderman of the 15th Ward. I also enjoy playing kickball on the weekends in Tower Grove Park. Sampling new restaurants, hiking, and traveling are all interests of mine as well. It's on my bucket list to hike Machu Pichu and run the Boston Marathon. I am also an avid gardener and am known by my neighbors for my plentiful spaghetti squash, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes. 

​What is one community project you started seeing through to fruition, excluding any school assignment or internship? 

​Choosing one is difficult, since most of the jobs I've held center around community organizing/engagement. With that said, most recently, in the last legislative session, I developed an educational seminar program about the effects of the proposed "Right to Work" legislation for the Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 562. In this capacity, I recruited and trained other trainers who each helped to educate and mobilize union workers and their families across Missouri about how the proposed "Right to Work" legislation would effect them, while also presenting seminars myself. We also gave union members the tools to speak to others about "Right to Work" and trained them on contacting their elected officials. Our program ended after we were successful in keeping "Right to Work" off the ballot in Missouri, but is ready to commence again should "Right to Work" come up again in the next session.

​Do you want me to answer one of your questions? Submit a question on the contact page, and I'll respond ASAP.