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Short Bio
I was raised in Houston, TX at a time when it was no longer a
rustic cow town but not yet the booming metropolis that it is today. I loved
riding horses and never missed a night of the Houston Fat Stock Show and
Rodeo. As a member of my High School drill squad I led the marches on the
football field during half times. My father was a chemist in the oil industry
and my mother was a homemaker. We were devout members of St. Paul’s
Episcopal Church.
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High School Yearbook, 1959
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I attended a small town college, then later studied at the University of Illinois, where I met
my husband, Larry. We have been married 38 years. Our family moved to
Charlottesville in 1969, where Larry and I both taught at the University of
Virginia and where we raised our son, Russell. Larry still teaches in the
department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. We have made Central
Virginia our home for 36 years now.
My first involvement in politics was registering voters
after the repeal of the Poll Tax in 1964. Most of these new voters were poor
and black, and I learned a lot about the importance of inclusion and
participation for a strong Democracy. I was blessed to have been able to work
alongside Barbara Jordan, who has been a life-long role model for me. Her
example of public service has inspired my own involvement for many years.
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My history in local politics began with organizing my
neighbors to oppose a new zoning rule. Following that effort, I applied for
the city Planning Commission and was appointed a member of the commission in
1994. We drafted a new Comprehensive Plan for the city that included a new
vision for economic revitalization and neighborhood improvement. From that
experience, I learned how fulfilling it is to serve the public. I was inspired
to run for my first term on City Council, where I served from 1996 to 2004,
with two terms as Vice Mayor.
I learned that the problems we face are regional in nature-
transportation infrastructure, growth and sprawl, quality education and health
care, a vigorous economy and protection of our water resources. So the
solutions must be regional as well. Working on the Thomas Jefferson Planning
District Commission and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) showed me
how leadership and a shared vision can get results that affect communities.
In 2002, the Democrats in Virginia’s 5th
Congressional District nominated me as their candidate for Congress. My
opponent was a well-financed incumbent from the majority party. We ran a tough
race and had much to be proud of for our determined effort. I met a lot of
Virginia’s working families whose jobs have gone overseas. Their families-
our families- need results. They need economic revitalization and they need
hope.
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Meredith with husband Larry
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Running in a district that combines both rural and urban
elements has shown me that all Virginians have a common interest in good
government and responsible leadership. That we all want a vital economy with
high quality jobs and good benefits, a strong educational system, and better
solutions for transportation and community planning.
Contact Meredith
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