| Kathy Webb | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from the 37th district |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Sam Ledbetter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1950 Blytheville, Arkansas |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Website | kathywebb.org |
Kathy Webb is an American restaurateur and politician from Little Rock, Arkansas. A Democrat, she currently serves in the Arkansas House of Representatives, representing the state's 37th district.[1]
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Webb grew up in Arkansas and in sixth grade volunteered for John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign.[2] In 1967, she graduated from Hall High School in Little Rock. Webb went on to earn a B.A. in political science from Randolph-Macon Woman's College and attended graduate school at the University of Central Arkansas. After working full-time in the women's movement for several years, Webb took a job in the hospitality industry. She worked her way up at a large franchisee of Domino's Pizza, then went on to take a position as vice president of a bagel chain in Chicago before starting her own barbecue restaurant.
In 2000, Webb opened Lilly's Dim Sum restaurant in Little Rock.[3] Webb continues to live in Little Rock and operate the restaurant there today.
After winning a four-way Democratic primary on May 23, 2006 with 57 percent of the vote, Webb was elected without Republican opposition and was sworn into the Arkansas House of Representatives in January 2007.[4] Webb ran unopposed in 2008 & 2010.[5]
In the Arkansas House of Representatives, Webb serves as Co-Chair of the Joint Budget Committee, the first woman to hold that position. Webb also serves on the Rules, Education and Facilities Committees, as well as the Executive Committee of Legislative Council. She served as Co-Chair of the Governor's Working Group on Public Safety and Corrections, Co-Chair of the Sustainable Building and Design Task Force and Co-Chair of the Governor's Commission on Global Warming.[6]
Due to term limits, Webb will not be allowed to run for re-election in 2012.
Webb serves on the boards of the Arkansas Foodbank Network, Arkansas Hospitality Association, Arkansas Sustainability Network, the UAMS College of Medicine Board of Visitors and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. She is a member of the Missions Committee at First United Methodist Church Little Rock, the Pulaski County Democratic Women, Pulaski County Democratic Committee, and the State Democratic Committee. She co-founded the Legislative Hunger Caucus and was the founding president of the Chicagoland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Webb received the Legend Champion Award from Arkansas Kids Count Coalition, JCA Humanitarian of the Year Award, First Branch Award from the Arkansas Judicial Council and Pioneer Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners. Webb has also been honored by the Sierra Club, Arkansas AIDS Foundation, Arkansas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, National WAND/WiLL, Arkansas AARP, Citizens First Congress, Arkansas Hospitality Association and the Municipal League. Webb received the Hendrix College Ethel K. Millar Award and the Rev. Negail Riley Award from Black Methodists for Social Renewal.
A lesbian, Webb was the first openly gay person to serve in the Arkansas General Assembly.[7] She resides in Little Rock where she owns and operates her restaurant, Lilly's Dim Sum. She is a member of the First United Methodist Church.[8] The acclaimed singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams is her cousin.
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