This is an article from the June 2025 Civitas Examiner (Volume 2, No. 3) and was written by one of our students, Ruthvi T. The opinions expressed herein do not reflect those of Civitas other than respect for the value of open dialogue. To read more Civitas Examiner stories or to submit your own, click here.
Former Councilwoman Kelli Dunaway visited Crossroads College Preparatory School on June 17 to speak to Civitas interns about the importance of data and statistics, the takeover of Trumpist ideologies in America and her experience serving on the St. Louis County Council.
“When Trump was elected in 2016, I didn’t believe that’s who we are as Americans. I ran [for Council] to show that we are better than that,” Dunaway said.
Dunaway began her journey as an elected official on a board of seven in 2019, serving as a replacement for Democratic County Executive Sam Page. A Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduate with a bachelor’s degree in history and a graduate of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Law School, Dunaway is a member of the California Bar Association.
In St. Louis, many different sectors have been impacted by Dunaway’s work: electric vehicle charging stations, gun laws, reproductive rights and most notably, building codes and environmental standards.
“I showed up for and fought for the environment. I got what I wanted in environmental standards in our building codes. I also passed legislation around electric vehicle charging, which the state legislature continues to chip away at each year, as well as updated lawn and grass ordinances to promote native plants and grasses in lieu of standard imported lawns, and helped to fund St. Louis County’s first Climate Action Plan,” Dunaway said.
Dunaway expressed her concerns over the popularly contested issue of the city and county divide. According to Dunaway, the divide has swamped St. Louis County with poor conditions in animal shelters, as well as made policing harder due to the multitude of police departments. These challenges have ultimately led the media to portray St. Louis County’s Executive Board in a negative light.
Much of Dunaway’s time on the council involved her actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This era, however, was especially challenging to Dunaway’s mental health, and her struggles were further intensified by the County Council’s dynamics. Often, Dunaway felt overwhelmed by the four white male republican representatives on the Council.
Even with many challenges, Dunaway never stopped fighting for what she believed in. With the help of Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, Dunaway passed laws and spoke about issues that were important to her. Furthermore, she pushed through a multitude of “no” votes from opposing council members to eventually pass stronger gun laws for domestic disputes.
While Dunaway expressed that she is no longer interested in being a Councilwoman, due to the toll on her mental health and a lack of like-minded colleagues, she is still involved with politics and helping society. Dunaway shared many opinions on the politics of today, as well as her hopes for the future.
“I have been taking good care of myself. I went to Tulum, Mexico. I’ve read 52 books this year, I wrote a novel, and I am getting ready to start the second draft with my writing coach,” Dunaway said. “I chaperoned field trips and volunteered at my kids’ schools, I’ve got a crazy amount of native gardening going on in my huge yard, I’ve coached some leaders and delivered some leadership training. I’ve leaned deeply into spiritual rituals and practices and am trying to figure out how to meld that work into my day job of developing leaders,” Dunaway said.
In the present, Dunaway expresses strong distaste for many far-right supporters, whom she characterizes as “misinformed” and “bullies.” While Dunnaway does not believe in President Trump or his ability to do good for the United States, she has faith in other prominent leaders in the U.S., such as California Governor Gavin Newsom, to bring the country to prosperity.
To achieve prosperity, Dunway expresses that love must win during periods of hate. A small victory was won on June 15, as the No Kings protest successfully brought together huge crowds of peaceful demonstrators. The love amongst these marchers has beaten down the hatred within “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) loyalists who have championed President Trump as their king.
“I believe the time has come to care about ourselves and each other, in bigger, better, more meaningful ways. Through this kind of loving care, compassion and understanding will inevitably flow and the more we care for each other, the more people that care envelopes and it creates a counter to the cycle of hate we’re currently sucked into. I believe it’s this kind of heart-centered, courageous leader who fights for what’s right that will lead us into the future,” Dunaway said.
Finally, Dunaway ended the discussion by urging students to stand up for what they believe in, including being involved in society and engaging in effective debate and discussion. She reassured students that the turmoil under the Trump administration will eventually pass; youth have to wait it out, and in the meantime, they should strive for the changes they want to create.
“I hope that my legacy is that a disabled, divorced, single mom can and should hold elected office. People like me haven’t historically had much if any of a voice in the policies our government enacts and the ways it spends our money. I am forever part of the change from the old, white, CIS male guard into the new world order where anyone can have a seat at the table,” Dunaway said.
