Representative RENA L. MORAN was born in Chicago. She received her B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois. Rena’s sense of community came from her large family and a neighborhood where people truly looked out for each other. A strong family and sense of community are at the very core of who Rena is today. Rena is the mother of seven children. The oldest, LaSheeka, is married with a son and daughter. The youngest, Silver, is a graduate of The University of Mankato in Mankato, MN. As a mother of seven, Rena knows what it is to sacrifice for the greater good of her children.
“I moved to the Twin Cities in search of a better life for my kids. Homeless, my children and I stayed in a Minneapolis shelter for several months. It wasn’t long before my family and I went from homelessness to homeowners. I found my first job in Minnesota earning minimum wage at Camp Snoopy, then at the YMCA before moving on to work at a commodity trading firm in downtown Minneapolis for seven years and becoming a homeowner.
Rena’s political life began as a community organizer in her Saint Paul neighborhood and expanded as she geared up to run for office in 2010. As a person who overcame so much, Rena went on to win her first-ever election in 2010 to become the first African American person to represent Saint Paul in the MN House of Representatives.
Rep. Moran formerly served as Chair of the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee, House Deputy Minority Leader, and was the founding member of the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus (POCI) and founding member of the United Black Legislative Caucus (UBLCthe ). In 2021 Rep. Moran became the Chair of the Powerful Ways and Means Committee. She was the first person of Color to ever chair that committee.
In 2020 Rep. Moran was recognized for her leadership by receiving several awards including: Twin Cities Business, Top “100 People to Know in 2021,” MN Physician, top 100 influential Health Care Leaders, NAMI Minnesota, Legislator of the Year Award, Nancy Latimer 2020 Legislative Champion Award – Early Childhood Education Award, St. Paul YWCA Changemaker Honoree.
On a national level, Rena serves on the Board of the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL), National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), Midwest Regional Director for the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL), and as the Minnesota State Director of Women Legislators’ Lobby (WILL).
Rep. Moran says. “Believe in yourself and how you see the world and the world you want. A world that is more inclusive, kind, and forward-thinking. Ask more questions and be okay with not knowing.” As regards women and politics she says, “I think the current environment is prime time right now for women to run and win. For women over 40, your experience, worldview and vision for a more inclusive state and world are so needed right now. So, tap into the current movement, and the current moment, bring your experience and expertise to the table, and lead. The future of our Country is waiting on you.”