Amanda Edwards facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Amanda Edwards
Member of the Houston City Council from the at-large district Position 4
In office January 2, 2016 – January 2, 2020
Preceded by	Letitia Plummer
Succeeded by	Letitia Plummer
Personal details
Born	1981 or 1982 (age 43–44) Houston, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	Emory University (BA) Harvard University (JD)

Amanda Edwards (born in 1982) is an American lawyer and politician. She served on the Houston City Council, which is like the local government for the city of Houston. She also ran for a seat in the United States Senate and later for mayor of Houston. Currently, she is running for a seat in the United States House of Representatives.

Early Life and Education

Amanda Edwards grew up in Houston, Texas. After finishing Eisenhower High School, she went to Emory University. There, she studied Political Science and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. While at Emory, she was the president of the student body. She was also recognized for her leadership by being inducted into the Emory University Hall of Fame. During her time at Emory, she also helped Georgia State Senator Connie Stokes.

After Emory, Edwards moved to Washington D.C. and worked for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. She then attended Harvard Law School, where she earned her law degree. At Harvard, she helped people in need through the Criminal Justice Institute. She also received an award for her work in healthcare law for communities that don't have many resources.

Helping Communities

After law school, Amanda Edwards wanted to help people. She moved to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, a very powerful storm. There, she worked for a Federal District Court Judge, Ivan Lemelle.

While in New Orleans, Edwards started a project called Project NOW. This project taught young people in New Orleans how to use writing to express themselves and feel stronger after the hurricane.

Eventually, Edwards returned to Houston. She became a lawyer specializing in municipal finance. This means she helped local governments and non-profit groups with their money matters, like getting loans for public projects.

Public Service

Serving on the Houston City Council

In 2015, Amanda Edwards ran for a position on the Houston City Council. She won the election and served the city. During her time on the Council, she worked on important committees. These included committees for transportation, technology, and economic development. She also helped manage the city's budget.

Edwards worked to bring new ideas and technology to Houston. She helped create a task force for innovation. This group suggested building a special area called The Ion. This area helps new businesses grow and encourages investment in technology. She also pushed for Houston to become a "smart city," using technology to improve city services.

She also cared about supporting local businesses. Edwards started a task force to help businesses owned by women and minorities. This group worked to make it easier for these businesses to get the money they needed to grow.

Edwards also focused on improving transportation in Houston. She worked on a task force that looked for better ways to get around, like adding light rail and rapid transit. These ideas aimed to reduce traffic on Houston's busy highways.

When Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, Edwards helped with disaster relief. She organized many volunteers to assist people affected by the flood. They helped survivors find aid, get emergency supplies, and manage their cases.

She also created a program called the Community Empowerment Signature Series. This program encouraged Houstonians to "be the solution" to problems in their neighborhoods. It offered events like senior conferences and town halls to educate and empower people.

Edwards decided not to run for City Council again. She wanted to run for a seat in the U.S. Senate instead.

Running for U.S. Senate

In 2020, Amanda Edwards ran for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas. This was a big election with many candidates. She was seen as one of the top candidates to watch. However, another candidate, MJ Hegar, won the Democratic primary election.

Recent Political Campaigns

After the Senate race, Edwards briefly ran for mayor of Houston in 2023. Later that year, she decided to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. She plans to continue her campaign even though the current representative, Sheila Jackson Lee, is also running again.

Personal Life

Amanda Edwards founded a non-profit organization called 'Be The Solution: Community Empowerment Organization'. This group helps different communities, including senior citizens and women.

She also serves on several boards and advisory councils. These include Accelerator for America, National League of Cities, Houston Exponential, and Project Row Houses.

Edwards is a member of The Links, a community service organization. She is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. She is Catholic.