Teona McGhaw-Ward

VP Membership – East

Teona McGhaw, is knowledgeable of health, education, legal, and social issues as they relate to residents of Missouri. McGhaw is a senior-level paralegal with 20+ years of experience providing legal assistance regarding criminal, personal injury, traffic law, and workman’s compensation.  

Currently, Teona is the Organizing and Advocacy Specialist at Paraquad in St. Louis.  Paraquad champions equity and independence for people with disabilities through services, partnerships, education and advocacy. As an above the knee amputee, Teona knows first-hand how important access to quality healthcare is, especially to marginalized communities. 

McGhaw is an advocate for women’s rights. She has served as a member of The National Women’s Political Caucus for over 10 years. In 2022 she was elected the first African American President for the Caucus in Missouri. 

In 2020, Teona and a lifelong friend joined forces to create a nonprofit serving their North St. Louis County community. They started The Mission Attempt to help families because they knew the holidays would be tough because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Mission Attempt partners with other organizations to help students get back-to-school supplies, provide food for families in need and celebrate black small business and community leaders in North County.  Teona explains: “My aunt, Fannie Lou Hamer, was involved in civil rights and voting rights; but she also worked to provide practical support for families within her community as a path of empowerment. We try to incorporate some of those concepts in the programs and services that are provided by The Mission Attempt.”

Teona oversees membership in: