“Aquia District Supervisor Monica Gary said she recently proposed the formation of the new housing committee to her peers because it’s a discussion that can’t be avoided by county leadership any longer.”
“A former stripper turned pastor turned politician, now serving on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors is launching her bid for state senator this week.”
“A newly elected member of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors is a pastor, wife and mother of seven children. But a difficult time in her life is also part of the journey she shares.”
“Aquia District Supervisor Monica Gary said she recently proposed the formation of the new housing committee to her peers because it’s a discussion that can’t be avoided by county leadership any longer.”
“But Gary says her backstory also includes growing up in poverty in Stafford County, having a premature baby at 17, leaving an abusive partner and eventually turning to a life of ministry and public service.”
“A newly elected member of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors is a pastor, wife and mother of seven children. But a difficult time in her life is also part of the journey she shares.”
I was born in Fairfax hospital, and spent my early years in Harmony Place Trailer Park on Rt. 1. Though my mother worked incredibly hard, it was never enough to make the leap from poverty to middle class. Like many of us, our family struggled to make ends meet. We lived on food stamps, housing vouchers, and the charity of strangers. I endured an unplanned pregnancy at 17 and became mother to a 23-week preemie. Our new family of two was immediately in need of Section 8 housing, food stamps, WIC, utilities and phone service, and transportation.
More than likely, you know that I am a former stripper. It’s not something I am ashamed of. Far from it. I am grateful for that experience, the strong bonds I formed with other workers, and for the lessons I learned. Because of my past, I understand the hardships our community faces. I’ve struggled with food and housing insecurity, inaccessible healthcare, financial instability, abuse…you name it, I’ve been there. I understand and serve my community from a place of empathy because of those experiences, and I am a better, more dedicated elected official because of them.
Despite the challenges I faced, I continued to push forward and ultimately found solace in Jesus. My faith guided me to live a life of intention, service and purpose. I married my husband, a USMC veteran and former police officer, and we set out to raise 7 children in the years that followed. Two of our children are now adults serving in the Army and USMC. Continuing to be of service wherever possible, I served in various ministries and community organizations, also earning my degree in Theology and now working to complete my Masters of Divinity.
My days were full, but I made time to invest more deeply in the community when I saw such deep pain during the unrest after George Floyd was killed. I began regularly attending county board meetings and working with members to improve decisions, organizing with activist and faith groups, and building lasting connections with my neighbors on a daily basis. The more I became involved, the more it crushed me to see my neighbors suffer with no help coming from the leaders they elected.
Your contribution helps us pave a way to victory. Your information will never be sold or given to another campaign.
“Aquia District Supervisor Monica Gary said she recently proposed the formation of the new housing committee to her peers because it’s a discussion that can’t be avoided by county leadership any longer.”
“A former stripper turned pastor turned politician, now serving on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors is launching her bid for state senator this week.”
“A newly elected member of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors is a pastor, wife and mother of seven children. But a difficult time in her life is also part of the journey she shares.”
“Aquia District Supervisor Monica Gary said she recently proposed the formation of the new housing committee to her peers because it’s a discussion that can’t be avoided by county leadership any longer.”
“But Gary says her backstory also includes growing up in poverty in Stafford County, having a premature baby at 17, leaving an abusive partner and eventually turning to a life of ministry and public service.”
“A newly elected member of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors is a pastor, wife and mother of seven children. But a difficult time in her life is also part of the journey she shares.”
Your contribution helps us pave a way to victory. Your information will never be sold or given to another campaign.