My Story
— Why I'm a Member of Parliament —
Hi, I'm Jenn!
I'm your Member for Hartley, local to Magill, husband to Tim and mother to my children Lucy and Terance. Although I was born in Houston Texas, the love and warmth South Australia has shown me is something I work to repay every single day as your local representative.
Where it all began
My journey to becoming an American-born member of the House of Assembly was anything but ordinary. My lived experiences as a special education teacher, a legal assistant, and a mother has motivated me to stand up and fight real working class change.
Born in Texas
Born and raised in Houston Texas, the values I carry with me today were imprinted upon me by my family. My grandfather instilled in me his values: making sure that everyone gets a fair go regardless of race, gender or ethnicity.
My values
This led me to fight injustice wherever I saw it. I fought for congress to increase education, I fought for Barack Obama's 2008 election and I fought for worker's rights. My values also led me to study a Bachelor of Science and become a special education teacher, where I worked to support children with special needs.
Meeting my husband & motherhood
It was while campaigning for the Democrats in Texas that I met the man who would become my husband, Tim. Little did I know, Tim and I would start a family together moving to Washington D.C. where we stayed until our daughter Lucy was caught in an active shooting lockdown. This was when I realised I had to leave America, for the safety and wellbeing of my two children.
Moving to Australia
So I came to South Australia to find a better, safer life for my family. The generosity, warmth and kindness I was shown when I arrived I will never forget. I have seen what underfunded education, privatised healthcare and loose gun controls can do to families and communities, so I deeply appreciate the services and safety South Australia provides to its residents.
Workers' rights & the Labor Party
Soon after settling down in Australia, I continued my lifelong fight for workers and their families. This saw me become a practice manager at the law firm Lieschke & Weatherill, where every day I supported working class Australians to receive their fair share. My work, my values and my beliefs naturally led me to become a member of the South Australian Labor party.
Getting elected
It was through the Labor party that I was given the opportunity to run to be Hartley's representative in the South Australian Parliament. Across the campaign I met so many amazing people, from Dernancourt to Tranmere, from Felixstow to Paradise, I'm eternally grateful for every person who spared the time to talk to me.
And now I have been given the privilege of representing the people of Hartley in State Parliament. For all that this state and this community has given me, I will work tirelessly to ensure your voice is heard in Government.