Born as Mary Lou Hawkinson in Kandiyohi, Minnesota was elected to the Iowa State Senate in 1994 serving until 2002, and then served a term in the Iowa State House.
Born as Mary Lou Hawkinson in Kandiyohi, Minnesota she graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a degree in elementary education. She was elected to the Iowa State Senate in 1994 serving until 2002, and then served a term in the Iowa State House.