Dear Friends,
March is Women’s History Month, and to celebrate, each week I am sharing the story of Arkansas women who shaped our state and nation in powerful ways. Learning about these important leaders will help inspire the next generation of Arkansas women to change the world.
This week we honor Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton, who was recently awarded the Alumni Award from the University of Chicago for providing leadership in advancing equity in our society.
Dr. Hampton grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and in 1962, five years after integration of the Little Rock Nine, she became the first African American student to complete her entire education at Little Rock Central High School.
When speaking about her time as a student she said, "It was my hopes and dreams and my goals but also my commitment to being in the struggle for my people that kept me every day to be able to keep my head up high and do what I had to do and never feel that I couldn’t go back another day."
While growing up in Little Rock, she attended Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church and observed her parents’ civil rights activism. She credits her church for providing a nurturing environment and social infrastructure that helped create a better life for people of color in the community.
After graduating from Central High School in 1962, Dr. Hampton went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Earlham College, a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Chicago, and a second master’s and doctorate from Columbia University.
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| Click on the picture above to watch video of Rep. Hill honoring Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton on the House floor. |
After working as a higher education administrator and philanthropist, Dr. Hampton returned to Little Rock to become president of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, serving from 1996 to 2006, focusing on building a better Arkansas.
Dr. Hampton has received numerous awards and honors. She was named to Arkansas Business’ Top 100 Women in Arkansas several times, was honored with the Earlham College Outstanding Alumni Award in 1998, was named a Woman of Achievement by Iona College in 1986, and was the 2002 recipient of the National Conference for Community and Justice Humanitarian Award.
In 2005, Dr. Hampton was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame, and in 2014, she was appointed to the Arkansas Ethics Commission. She continues to be involved in many local service organizations and is a life member of the Girl Scouts of America. As a local educator and community leader, Sybil has enriched the lives of countless Arkansans and Americans.
Sincerely,
Representative French Hill
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Greater Opportunities in Central arkansas
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Recently, Arkansas became the first state to enact state-level “Opportunity Zone” tax incentives that complement the federal incentives created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
All Arkansans should be proud that the Natural State is leading the way in creating innovative investment opportunities that will help revive our low-income communities. Being the first state to provide state-level incentives for Opportunity Zones sends a powerful message across the country that Arkansas is at the forefront of economic development.
Empowering our local and state governments only further enhances investment in Opportunity Zones ensuring that Arkansans benefit from new job creation and revitalization. I applaud all 132 members of the Arkansas General Assembly, Republican and Democrat, who voted unanimously in support of this legislation, as well as Governor Hutchinson for signing it into law.
In January of this year, I penned an op-ed for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, calling on the Arkansas General Assembly to enhance federally designated Opportunity Zones by enacting legislation that would create state tax incentives for investment. To read it in full, find it HERE.
In February, Congressman Hill and U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) (pictured right) visited with Philander Smith College President, Roderick L. Smothers, Sr. (pictured center) to discuss how Opportunity Zones, which includes the campus of Philander Smith College, will benefit the Little Rock community. |
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Assistance with Federal agencies
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| Mobile Office Hours Around Central Arkansas |
My Arkansas staff are always ready and willing to help serve you. Starting on Monday, my staff will be holding mobile office hours across central Arkansas for the next two weeks. This will allow those who may not be able to travel to my Little Rock or Conway offices to meet with my team at a location closer and more convenient to you.
I am committed to serving you and providing the best support that we can and welcome anyone in need of assistance with any federal government agencies to visit with my team. See the details below for more information.
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Thank you for taking time to keep up with the work I'm doing on your behalf. If I can be of any assistance to you or your family, please reach out to my office at (501) 324-5941 or Hill.House.Gov.
To keep up with my day-to-day meetings and events, please follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
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