Lottie Shackelford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lottie Shackelford
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| 68th Mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas | |
| In office January 1987 – December 1988 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Prince |
| Succeeded by | Floyd Villines |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 30, 1941 |
| Nationality |  American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Philander Smith College |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Known for | Serving the longest tenure as Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) |
Lottie H. Shackelford was born on April 30, 1941. She is an American politician who made history in 1987. She became the first woman to be named Mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas.
Later, in 1993, President Bill Clinton chose her for a special role. She joined the Board of Directors for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). This made her the first African-American woman to hold that position. She has also served for 20 years as Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). This is the longest time anyone has held that job.
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Lottie Shackelford's Life Story
Learning and Education
Lottie Shackelford studied at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas. She earned a degree in Business Administration.
She also learned a lot about politics and government. She was a Senior Fellow at the Arkansas Institute of Politics. She also spent time as a fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Her Amazing Career in Politics
Lottie Shackelford started her political journey in 1978. She was elected to the Board of Directors for the City of Little Rock. She was chosen by the city's voters three more times. After that, she became the city's first woman Mayor.
While working in local government, she helped connect minority businesses with opportunities. She also held important leadership jobs at the National League of Cities. She shared her knowledge about local government and economic growth. She did this by giving talks both in the United States and in other countries. She also led trips to Europe, Asia, and Africa to promote trade.
For many years, Shackelford has worked with the Democratic Party. She has held several roles within the party. She was Secretary, Vice Chair, and Chair of the Arkansas State Democratic Committee. She was also elected Secretary of the National Association of State Democratic Chairs.
From January 1987 to December 1988, she served as Mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas. She was the first woman and second African American to hold this role. She has been a member of the DNC since the early 1980s. She helped lead important committees, like the Platform Committee in 1984. She also led the Rules Committee in 1988. Today, she is part of the Resolutions Committee.
Shackelford has also given advice to people running for president. She worked on teams that helped new presidents get started in the White House. In 1993, President Clinton chose her to be a US Delegate. She represented the country at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in Vienna, Austria.
As the DNC Vice Chair for Voter Registration and Participation, she travels a lot. She shares the Democratic Party's message with people. She helps voters get involved in the political process. She often takes part in political discussions in other countries. These include Azerbaijan, Russia, West Germany, and Taiwan. She has also watched elections happen in Romania and the Baltic States.
Awards and Honors
Lottie Shackelford has received many awards for her work:
- She was listed in the Registry of Outstanding Men and Women by Esquire Magazine.
- She was named Woman of the Year by the Arkansas Democrat newspaper.
- In 1993, she was added to the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame.
- In 1998, she received the Mary Church Terrell Award from Delta Sigma Theta.
- In 2016, she was inducted into the Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame.
