Rep. Mary Lou Sallee, a Republican, represents Douglas, Wright and eastern Ozark counties (District 144) in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Elected to her first term in 1992, Rep. Sallee has served on the Joint Committee on Mental Health Insurance Parity. She has been an advocate for mental health and continues work for better care and services for the mentally disabled.

Prior to being elected to office, Rep. Sallee was a schoolteacher for 33 years.

Rep. Sallee is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Women in Government, the National Organization of Women Legislators and the Women's Caucus of Missouri. She served on the School Violence and Safety Committee and also on the A+ School Committee during the 1999 interim.

She is a member of the Methodist Church, Federation of Republican Women's Club, P.E.O., Retired Teacher's Association, and Chambers of Commerce. She has been a Red Cross volunteer and has taught water safety and CPR for many years.

A 1949 graduate of Springfield Senior High School, Rep. Sallee obtained a bachelor of science degree in education, with a major in speech and English from Southwest Missouri State University in 1952 and a master's degree from Drury College in 1959 after doing graduate work at Illinois University.

Rep. Sallee currently resides in Ava with her husband Don. They have two children: Dr. Skip Sallee of St. Louis and Anne Sallee-Mason of Springfield.