Woodbury Woman Seeks DFL Endorsement for District 53A

The list of DFLers looking for their party’s nomination this Saturday just grew by one.

JoAnn Ward announced Tuesday her plans to seek the DFL endorsement in , which includes western Woodbury and parts of Oakdale, Landfall and Maplewood.

A Woodbury resident since 1974, Ward touted her volunteer work—at , Woodbury Junior High (now ) and —along with efforts to pass two school levy referenda in the early 1990s.

Ward worked as an executive sales associate in real estate for about 14 years, according to a release, and for nine years (until 2010) she served as executive director of the South St. Paul Restorative Justice Council.

“Understanding the quality of life issues that residents are seeking is key to maintaining and improving the positive aspects of life Minnesota is noted for,” she said in a statement. “High quality, rigorous education in our schools is a top priority for people moving to MN.”

       Related: Woodbury DFLer Announces Run for State House  

According to the release, Ward:

• earned a master’s degree in human resource development from the University of St. Thomas in 1994;
• was a program director for the Minnesota Department of Education;
• worked as an HR education consultant;
• served as president and board member of the Youth Service Bureau in South Washington County;
• served on the governing board and other leadership positions in her church;
• currently serves as board member and treasurer for the North American board of an international reconciliation organization; and
• is a board member of her local housing association.

Ward’s husband, Joe, is retired from 3M, and is co-owner of a technology business in Hudson, WI. They have three grown children, and five grandchildren.

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