Kathy Webb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kathy Webb
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Webb in 2008
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| Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from the 37th district |
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| In office January 8, 2007 – January 13, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Sam Ledbetter |
| Succeeded by | Eddie Armstrong |
| Vice Mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas | |
| In office 2015–2017 |
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| Assumed office January 2023 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 1949 (age 75–76) Blytheville, Arkansas |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residences | Little Rock, Arkansas |
Kathy Webb, born in 1949, is an American politician and business owner from Little Rock, Arkansas. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Currently, she serves as the Vice Mayor for Ward 3 in Little Rock. She also held the position of Vice Mayor from 2015 to 2017. Before becoming Vice Mayor, she was a representative in the Arkansas House of Representatives. She served there from January 8, 2007, to January 13, 2013. Kathy Webb was re-elected as Vice Mayor of Little Rock in January 2023.
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Early Life and Education
Kathy Webb grew up in Arkansas. When she was in sixth grade, she volunteered for John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign. She graduated from Hall High School in Little Rock in 1967. Webb then earned a degree in political science from Randolph-Macon Woman's College. She also attended graduate school at the University of Central Arkansas. In 2007, she completed a special program for government leaders at Harvard University.
Career in Restaurants
After college, Kathy Webb worked for several years supporting women's rights. Later, she started a career in the food business. She worked her way up at a large Domino's Pizza company. Then, she became a vice president for a bagel chain in Chicago. Eventually, she opened her own barbecue restaurant. In 2002, Webb moved back to Little Rock. There, she became a co-owner of a restaurant called Lilly's Dim Sum.
Political Career
In 2006, Kathy Webb won a primary election with 57 percent of the votes. She was then elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives without opposition. She officially started her role in January 2007. Webb ran for re-election in 2008 and 2010 and won both times without anyone running against her.
Roles in the Arkansas House
While in the Arkansas House of Representatives, Webb made history. She was the first woman to be a co-chair of the Joint Budget Committee. This committee helps manage the state's money. She also served on other important committees, including Rules, Education, and Facilities. Webb helped lead groups focused on public safety and corrections. She also worked on task forces for sustainable building and global warming.
Due to rules about how long a person can serve, Kathy Webb could not run for re-election in 2012. In 2014, she was elected to represent Ward 3 on the Little Rock City Board.
Community Service and Awards
Kathy Webb is very active in her community. She serves on the boards of several organizations, including the UAMS College of Medicine Board of Visitors and Arkansas Hospice. She is also a member of the Pulaski County Democratic Women and the State Democratic Committee. Webb helped start the Legislative Hunger Caucus. She was also the first president of the Chicago area group for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Webb has received many awards for her work. These include the Legend Champion Award from Arkansas Kids Count Coalition. She also received the Pioneer Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners. Many groups have honored her, such as the Sierra Club and the Arkansas AIDS Foundation. In 2012, TALK BUSINESS named her the Most Effective Member of the House of Representatives. In September 2023, Webb announced she would step down as CEO of the Arkansas Hunger Alliance. Her last day in that role was January 31, 2024.
Personal Life
Kathy Webb lives in Little Rock. She is the executive director of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. She has worked in the restaurant business for 25 years. She was also a co-owner of Lilly's Dim Sum, Then Some. She is a member of the First United Methodist Church. The famous singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams is her cousin.
