Wilma Webb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wilma Webb
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| First Lady of Denver | |
| In office July 15, 1991 – July 21, 2003 |
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| Preceded by | Ellen Hart Peña |
| Succeeded by | Helen Thorpe |
| Member of the Colorado House of Representatives from the 8th district |
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| In office 1980–1993 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 1944 (age 80–81) Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
| Spouse | Wellington Webb (m. 1969) |
| Children | 4 |
Wilma J. Webb (born 1944) is an American politician. She was a member of the Colorado General Assembly from 1980 to 1993. As a Democrat, she represented Denver County in the Colorado House of Representatives. She worked on many important laws, including those about school improvements and fairness for everyone.
Wilma Webb is especially known for helping make Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a state holiday in Colorado. This happened even before it became a national holiday called Martin Luther King Jr. Day. She also worked hard to teach young people about King's important work.
Contents
Wilma Webb: A Champion for Change
Early Life and Learning
Wilma Webb was born in Denver, Colorado. Her parents were Faye and Frank Gerdine. She went to the University of Colorado Denver. Later, while working as a state lawmaker, she studied at the Harvard Kennedy School in 1988.
Making a Difference in Politics
Wilma Webb married Wellington Webb in 1969. Her husband later became the first African American mayor of Denver. He served as mayor from 1991 to 2003. Wilma Webb herself became the First Lady of Denver. She was the first First Lady of the city who had also held a political job.
Key Achievements in the Legislature
During her time in the Colorado House of Representatives, Wilma Webb made history. She became the first African-American member of the legislature's Joint Budget Committee. This committee is very powerful, with only six members. In 1981, she helped write the state's budget, which was about $4 billion. This means she helped decide how the state's money would be spent.
She has received awards from many groups, including the National Education Association. In 1991, she was honored by being added to the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame.
Life Beyond Politics
Wilma Webb and her husband have four grown children. She is a member of the Zion Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado. She also belongs to the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
