This August, Teona McGhaw-Boure took office as the first woman of color to serve as president of the Missouri Women’s Political Caucus. One of her goals is mobilizing college students to build momentum toward pro-choice legislation.
According to its website, the National Women’s Political Caucus aims to increase women’s participation in the political process. The organization recruits, trains and supports pro-choice women running for positions of elected office. The Missouri branch is currently endorsing two candidates for the state Senate and 11 for the Missouri House of Representatives.
“…We need the young people on these campaigns, volunteering,” McGhaw-Boure said. “Because the candidates can’t win because they’re not getting help. And we give them money, we give them a check. And we’ve made some tool kits already for the candidates to steer them in the right direction.”
Before becoming president, McGhaw-Boure worked at both the state and national levels of the caucus. She also serves as the Black Organizing Programs Lead for Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri.
As president, McGhaw-Boure said she wants to promote more young people like her assistants, Samantha Hermann and Dominic Lewis, to step forward for the cause.
“Post-Roe, I feel like the young people should be leading because they are the future,” she said. “And it’s so exciting to me just working with them. You know, I’m the president, but you guys are the brains. So let’s do this.”
Hermann and Lewis said in a written statement that they are excited to see McGhaw-Boure take on the presidency position.
“Teona is a change-maker and has historically uplifted the voices of POC and young people everywhere she goes,” they said. “We are beyond excited to continue the work of the Women’s Political Caucus by creating the most inclusive, progressive environment possible.”
Hermann and Lewis have been spearheading plans for events and programming at colleges across Missouri, including MU.
“We aim to create a strong network among Missouri college campuses to unite determined, passionate and politically active individuals,” Hermann and Lewis said. “Then, using that network to consult with, engage and educate student leaders on campus about our mission.”
To McGhaw-Boure, MU is more than just another campus to get involved on, as her son graduated from the university in 2012 with a degree in industrial engineering.
“Mizzou was a great foundation,” she said. “I think it was the best thing that ever happened to our family, to my son.”
McGhaw-Boure said she hopes to bolster engagement within the MU community.
“Let’s get a chapter down there of the pro-choice students,” she said, “we can build power in Columbia and have Mizzou be a leading force as far as our first pockets of students.”
She encourages students who are interested to get in touch with her through email (teonamcghaw@yahoo.com) to start a conversation or invite her to any meetings and events at MU.
“It’s our time,” she said. “It’s young people’s time, it’s people like me that say, ‘Hey, y’all, get over here.’ That’s all young people want, is a voice and to know their voice matters and somebody’s listening, and that’s what I do.”
Edited by Zoe Homan | zhoman@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Shirin Xavier and Jacob Richey | jrichey@themaneater.com
