In addition to her public service, Sen. O'Laughlin is the former co-owner of Leo O'Laughlin, Inc., a trucking company and ready-mix concrete business with locations in Shelbina, Macon, Marceline and LaBelle.

Prior to being elected to the Missouri Senate, Sen. O'Laughlin served as a school bus driver, an administrator at a local Christian school and as a member of her local school board. She previously served as chair of the Senate Education Committee and remains a strong advocate for school choice in Missouri.

Senator O'Laughlin has served on numerous statewide boards, such as the Associated Builders and Contractors, the Children's Trust Fund and the Missouri Club for Growth. Senator O'Laughlin is currently a member of the National Rifle Association, Missouri Cattlemen's Association, the Missouri Farm Bureau and Macon First Baptist Church.

Senator O'Laughlin grew up on a farm and spent much of her childhood around horses, livestock auctions and corn fields. Today, she's the proud owner of several dogs, including Basset Hounds, as well as several rescue dogs.

A current resident of Shelbina, Sen. O'Laughlin has four sons, a foster daughter and seven grandchildren. She is a 1978 graduate of the University of Missouri.