About

Meet Councilwoman Rita Heard Days

Proven Leadership. Real Results. A Vision for the Future.

Rita Heard Days has spent her career delivering for families across St. Louis County—fighting for fairness, economic opportunity, and accountable government.

Her journey in public service began in 1993, when she was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives. Over the next eight years, Rita became known as a consensus builder who brought people together to get real results. She sponsored and supported legislation that:

• Strengthened anti-discrimination laws to protect workers and families

• Expanded early childhood special education programs so more children could access critical resources

• Modernized voting systems and ballot standards to ensure secure, fair elections

• Delivered property tax relief and fought for seniors, homeowners, and working families

In 2003, Rita Heard Days made history as the first African American elected to the Missouri Senate from St. Louis County. Serving through 2011, she continued her fight for children’s mental health, consumer protections, and government accountability—always with a focus on equity and opportunity for the communities she represented.

Results on the St. Louis County Council

In 2019, Rita was elected to represent St. Louis County Council District 1, where she has brought her state-level experience directly to local neighborhoods. As Council Chair, she has led efforts to:

• Reform MWBE (Minority & Women-Owned Business Enterprise) programs, pushing for stronger enforcement and real opportunities for small businesses

• Demand accountability in county government through ethics reforms, open data on spending, and protections for voters’ voices in countywide decisions

• Invest in safer neighborhoods, pairing community-based prevention programs with targeted infrastructure improvements like better lighting, road repairs, and park upgrades

• Strengthen checks and balances between the Council and the County Executive, ensuring transparency and responsible use of taxpayer dollars

  

Rita’s focus has always been on tangible results that improve lives block by block—from championing fair procurement processes to advocating for small business growth and neighborhood reinvestment.

A Lifetime of Firsts & Service

Rita’s career is marked by historic firsts and a commitment to lifting others as she climbs. As the first African American State Senator from St. Louis County, she opened doors for future leaders of color. As County Council Chair, she brought transparency and accountability to local government.

Beyond elected office, Rita has been deeply involved in community organizations, mentoring young leaders, partnering with schools and universities, and working with neighborhood associations to improve quality of life across the region.

Building a Stronger Future

Looking ahead, Councilwoman Days is focused on a future where every family in St. Louis County can thrive. Her priorities include:

• Safe, thriving neighborhoods through prevention programs, youth opportunity, and better infrastructure

• Economic growth and local ownership, ensuring small businesses and MWBEs have a fair shot at contracts and county investments

• Good government and transparency, with open budgets, independent audits, and stronger checks and balances

• Support for children, seniors, and working families, expanding education access, mental health resources, and housing opportunities

With decades of legislative experience and a proven record of results, Councilwoman Rita Heard Days continues to fight for a St. Louis County that is fair, accountable, and full of opportunity for all.