[2] Oxford attended Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves, Missouri and graduated with her Master of Divinity in 1989.
Prior to her political career, Oxford served as executive director of the Reform Organization of Welfare (ROWEL) and as a grassroots coordinator for the American Lung Association, both in St.
She won in a three-way Democratic primary in August 2004, and obtained almost 90% of the vote against a Libertarian opponent in the November 2004 general election.
[2] Oxford is an active member of Epiphany United Church of Christ in St. Louis, and resides in the Benton Park neighborhood with her partner, Dorothy.
She was one of three openly gay members of the Missouri General Assembly, serving alongside Sen. Jolie Justus (D–Kansas City) and Rep. Mike Colona (D–St.