Joyce Elliott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joyce Elliott
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| Member of the Arkansas Senate from the 31st district |
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| In office January 12, 2009 – January 9, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Irma Hunter Brown |
| Succeeded by | Redistricted |
| Majority Leader of the Arkansas Senate | |
| In office January 12, 2009 – January 10, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Tracy Steele |
| Succeeded by | Robert F. Thompson |
| Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives |
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| In office January 8, 2001 – January 13, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Michael Booker |
| Succeeded by | Fred Allen |
| Constituency | 56th district (2001–03) 33rd district (2003–07) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 20, 1951 Willisville, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Southern Arkansas University (BA) Ouachita Baptist University (MA) |
Joyce Ann Elliott (born March 20, 1951) is an American politician from the state of Arkansas. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
From 2009 to 2022, she served as a member of the Arkansas Senate. Before that, she was a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2001 to 2007. Elliott also ran for a seat in the U.S. Congress twice, in 2010 and 2020, but did not win. If she had won, she would have been the first African American to represent Arkansas in Congress.
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Early Life and Education
Joyce Ann Elliott was born on March 20, 1951, in Willisville, Arkansas. She was the second person of color to graduate from her high school after it became integrated, meaning students of all races could attend together. Her older sister was the first.
Elliott went to Southern Arkansas University. There, she earned a bachelor's degree in English and speech. She then continued her studies at Ouachita Baptist University, where she earned a master's degree in English.
After college, Elliott became a teacher. She taught at Joe T. Robinson High School from 1989 to 2003.
Political Career in Arkansas
Joyce Elliott began her political career in the Arkansas House of Representatives. She served there from 2000 to 2006. In 2008, she was elected to the Arkansas State Senate, representing the 31st district. This district included parts of Little Rock and Pulaski County.
During her time in the state legislature, Elliott worked on important laws. In 2001, she started working on legislation to protect people from harm caused by unfair treatment or hatred. Arkansas is one of a few states that does not have a specific law against such actions.
In 2020, she was chosen to lead the Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus. This group works to support the interests of African American citizens in Arkansas. In the same year, she received support from former U.S. President Barack Obama for her work.
Running for Congress
Joyce Elliott ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives twice. This is a national office where politicians represent their state in Washington, D.C.
2010 Election
In 2010, Elliott ran for the 2nd Congressional District seat in Arkansas. She was the Democratic candidate. She ran against Republican candidate Timothy Griffin. In this election, Joyce Elliott did not win.
2020 Election
Elliott announced in November 2019 that she would run for the U.S. House again. She challenged the current Republican representative, French Hill, for the 2nd Congressional District seat. In the 2020 election, Joyce Elliott was not elected.
