Kathy Webb
Encyclopedia
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.
and in sixth grade volunteered for John F. Kennedy
's presidential campaign. 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. Webb continues to live in Little Rock and operate the restaurant there today.
in January 2007. Webb ran unopposed in 2008 & 2010.
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.
Due to term limits, Webb will not be allowed to run for re-election in 2012.
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.
. 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. The acclaimed singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams
is her cousin.
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
. A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, she currently serves in the Arkansas House of Representatives
Arkansas House of Representatives
The Arkansas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Arkansas General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The House is composed of 100 members elected from an equal amount of constituencies across the state. Each district has an average population of 26,734...
, representing the state's 37th district.
Early life, education and career
Webb grew up in ArkansasArkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
and in sixth grade volunteered for John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
's presidential campaign. In 1967, she graduated from Hall High School
Hall High School (Arkansas)
Hall High School, located in Little Rock, Arkansas, is a comprehensive four-year public high school in the Little Rock School District currently enrolling 1,389 students in grades nine through twelve.-History:...
in Little Rock. Webb went on to earn a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from Randolph-Macon Woman's College
Randolph College
Randolph College is a private liberal arts and sciences college located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Founded in 1891 as Randolph-Macon Woman's College, it was renamed on July 1, 2007, when it became coeducational....
and attended graduate school at the University of Central Arkansas
University of Central Arkansas
The University of Central Arkansas is a state-run institution located in the city of Conway, the seat of Faulkner County, north of Little Rock and is the fourth largest university by enrollment in the U.S. state of Arkansas, and the third largest college system in the state. The school is most...
. After working full-time in the women's movement for several years, Webb took a job in the hospitality industry
Hospitality industry
The hospitality industry consists of broad category of fields within the service industry that includes lodging, restaurants, event planning, theme parks, transportation, cruise line, and additional fields within the tourism industry. The hospitality industry is a several billion dollar industry...
. She worked her way up at a large franchisee of Domino's Pizza
Domino's Pizza
Domino's Pizza, Inc. is an international pizza delivery corporation headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America. Founded in 1960, Domino's is the second-largest pizza chain in the United States and has over 9,000 corporate and franchised stores in 60 countries and all 50 U.S....
, then went on to take a position as vice president of a bagel chain in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
before starting her own barbecue restaurant.
In 2000, Webb opened Lilly's Dim Sum restaurant in Little Rock. Webb continues to live in Little Rock and operate the restaurant there today.
Political career
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 RepresentativesArkansas House of Representatives
The Arkansas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Arkansas General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The House is composed of 100 members elected from an equal amount of constituencies across the state. Each district has an average population of 26,734...
in January 2007. Webb ran unopposed in 2008 & 2010.
In the Arkansas House of Representatives
Arkansas House of Representatives
The Arkansas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Arkansas General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The House is composed of 100 members elected from an equal amount of constituencies across the state. Each district has an average population of 26,734...
, 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.
Due to term limits, Webb will not be allowed to run for re-election in 2012.
Community service and awards
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.
Personal
A lesbian, Webb was the first openly gay person to serve in the Arkansas General AssemblyArkansas General Assembly
The Arkansas General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of the upper house Arkansas Senate with 35 members, and the lower Arkansas House of Representatives with 100 members. All 135 representatives and state senators...
. 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. The acclaimed singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams
Lucinda Williams
Lucinda Williams is an American rock, folk, blues and country music singer and songwriter. She recorded her first albums in 1978 and 1980 in a traditional country and blues style and received very little attention from radio, the media, or the public. In 1988, she released her self-titled album,...
is her cousin.