Women’s History Month: Amber Webb

By Vickie Babyak
The Tube City Almanac
March 31, 2025
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

During Women’s History Month, writer Vickie Babyak is putting a spotlight on several area women:

McKeesport Councilwoman Amber Webb poses for a portrait while attending an event at the McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)

McKeesport Councilwoman Amber Webb says that if you want to make change, then you have already taken the first step.

“Change doesn’t have to be huge; it’s all the small victories in the battle that ultimately win the war,” she says.

Webb says she likes to work behind the scenes, to create change by collaborating with community members, and being involved with different organizations throughout the city. In late 2022, she decided to run for city council and based her campaign on openness with the community to help people know her true self.

“Running for city council was not on my list of things to do, but it was something in my realm of reality because of the atmosphere I was stepping into,” Webb says.

Elections can go either way, Webb says, and she wanted to work in an atmosphere where people felt respected by me, no matter the position they held, “and even if we didn’t agree with certain situations.”

Webb says, “When I was elected, I knew I’d need the other individuals that were voted in, whether I supported them or not, because we would be on the same team.”

She says as a council member, her job is work with elected officials and employees of the City of McKeesport, and to be available for constituents who reach out for help.

Webb says she takes seriously her responsibility to serve as a voice for residents who may not have time to attend council meetings, and who don’t have access to the inner workings of local government.

“I have to stay connected with the people and the issues, so my agenda always aligns with the city residents that I represent,” Webb says.

As a local elected official, some days are busier than others, she says, and she’s become used to receiving emails or phone calls “any time of the day or night.”

Webb says she is willing to work with anyone who wants to resolve issues and find creative ways to get things done.

“Respect goes a long way and moves mountains of misunderstandings that have divided us over the years,” Webb says.

Every day, Webb says she wakes up no later than 6 a.m. She has four children ages 21, 10, 7, and 2 years old, and many more children from the community that she treats as if they were her own. It’s breakfast, homework, and pep talks before sending the kids off to school, she says.

“It’s exhausting,” she says, but in a good way, adding that being a councilwoman, mom and daycare provider means that not every day goes strictly according to a rigid schedule.

Whenever it is possible, she says she also volunteers for school activities like classroom parties, cookie club, yearbook and the Christmas store. Webb also accommodates her weekly schedule to take her youngest child to therapy sessions, and develops lesson plans for her daycare children to prepare them for preschool.

“My greatest accomplishments will always be my children and the areas where they shine bright, I feel it's a reflection of what I have poured into them,” she says.

“Life can be overwhelming, but I will not be overwhelmed; this is my assignment, and I’m built to complete it,” Webb said.

Webb’s advice to other women who want to make a difference is: “There is so much power in your presence and voice; show up, speak up, stand up, you inspire people who won’t always tell you, and be bold, the world needs you.”

Vickie Babyak is a photographer and freelance writer from Dravosburg. She may be reached at vbabyak@yahoo.com.

Originally published March 31, 2025.

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