Maura is a mother, activist, community organizer, and former elementary educator.  She and her husband, Jim, have three children, Emma, Maggie, and Teddy. The family made Batavia their home in 2010 when Jim accepted a job as a physicist at Fermilab. The Hirschauers quickly fell in love with the beauty and the close-knit communities of the Fox Valley and feel fortunate to have the opportunity to raise their family in the 49th District.

Maura graduated from Colby College in Waterville, Maine with a BA in English.  She pursued her love of teaching at the University of Colorado, Denver with a focus on Special Education.  After teaching first and third grade in both the Denver area, and Portola Valley, CA, she left the classroom for the challenging work of raising children. Maura is grateful to have had the opportunity to be at home with her children for the past twelve years. Like many parents can attest: though the days are long, the years are much too short. 

In between diaper changes and carpools, Maura stayed active in her community teaching English as a second language to adults, and literacy to elementary students in a volunteer program.  Immediately upon moving to Batavia, Maura joined the Batavia Mothers’ Club Foundation, a philanthropic organization supporting the needs of women, children, and families in the Fox Valley. For two years she served as the co-chair for the club’s most successful fundraiser, the Autumn Craft and Vendor Show, raising over $30,000 for the foundation. Currently Maura is serving as the foundation’s President, overseeing its three fundraisers and several community service projects, and the disbursement of all proceeds to area not-for-profit organizations and schools.  Through her work with the club, Maura has worked closely with non-profits and community leaders throughout the Fox Valley.

In January of 2018 Maura became one of the founding members of the Kane and Kendall County chapter of  Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, holding the positions of Membership and Legislative Lead. Through her work with KKMDA Maura has lobbied federal officials to pass universal background checks.  After the Henry Pratt shooting Maura traveled to Springfield with her children in tow to advocate for closing the loophole in the Illinois FOID system. In her quest to make our communities safe she has met with mayors, city councils, and members of Congress.  Raising her voice became a way of life, and advocating for common sense gun reform has driven Maura to pursue change on a larger scale.

Since 2016, advocacy, activism, and service have risen to the forefront of the Hirschauer household.  The tried and true adage “Be the Change” has become a family wide motto. As a family they have taken their passion to the streets in three Women’s Marches, as well as the 2018 March for Our Lives.  During the 2018 election the Hirschauers knocked on countless doors for capable, inspiring candidates that they believed could enact real change. Emma, Maggie, and Teddy were campaign office regulars and became enamored with the energy and excitement of political life.  This year the entire family is ready to knock on doors for their mom. They are excited and ready to share her voice with the people of the 49th District.