BOSTON -- Maura Hennigan, 53, is up against the odds in her quest to unseat Tom Menino as the mayor of Boston.

NewsCenter 5's Natalie Jacobson reported Tuesday that with three weeks to go, the 24-year member of the Boston City Council wants her struggling campaign to have the oxygen of a televised debate. But, Menino has limited his participation to one televised town meeting held on a big Red Sox night and a radio call-in debate.

Hennigan has raised less than $100,000. With minimal resources compared with the incumbent, she has leveraged her home and her rental properties to the limit.

"I am willing to put my assets on the line because I know the city is worth it. The citizens deserve a real competitive election," Hennigan said. "I have always practiced very sound fiscal policies."

Hennigan is one of seven children. She lives in Jamaica Plain, in a house overlooking her childhood home.

"I look at the city and think how fortunate I am. Everyone should be able to live in a place where they grew up. And shouldn't everybody have that opportunity?" Hennigan said.

Hennigan prizes her two German shepards and is known for taking in abandoned animals.

Divorced with no children, Hennigan has devoted herself to her work on the City Council.

"My friends at the Boston Trailer Park, the only trailer park in the city of Boston, through negotiation over 16 years, we finally secured them owning that site there. In addition, the Patrick Lyndon Pilot School. Ten years ago -- creating an educational model of excellence that can be used as a model for all schools. The first day-care center in City Hall. This is under former Mayor Ray Flynn. Mayor Flynn said to me, 'Maura Hennigan, you just kept talking about that and talking about that and talking about it until I finally had to do it,'" Hennigan said.

Before last year's Democratic National Convention, municipal workers, working without a contract, had Menino in a bind.

"It was unnecessary for the city's back to be up against the wall," Hennigan said. "I'm a former teacher in the Boston public schools, so I have been a member of organized labor when I was a teacher. So, I understand the most important thing a union member or a labor leader is looking for is that they are going to have a fair shake," Hennigan said.

To that end, she would conduct audits and open the books to labor.

Hennigan is especially critical of Menino's handling of education.

"Tom Menino, during his tenure, has not improved our schools. Our children are failing, and we cannot afford to have four more years of a failing school system. With my background and with my experience, I believe I will turn this school system around. It is my No. 1 priority," she said.

Hennigan advocates returning to an elected school board. She said that will give parents more opportunity to have accountability with teachers and school administrators.