As Mayor of Webster Groves, Laura Arnold blends the nostalgic charm of her childhood with a forward-thinking vision for the future. She proves that sometimes, the best way to move forward is to return to where it all began.
Kirkwood City Lifestyle: Describe growing up in Webster Groves.
Mayor Laura Arnold: My first job was at Smith Sporting Goods in Old Webster. I loved the freedom of being a kid. I would ride my bike to my grandmother's house and spend most of my time at the swimming pool. In middle school, the outdoor ice rink was the place to be on Friday and Saturday nights. This community, with its strong connections through school, church, and family, was my foundation.
It's funny because, after high school, I went to college in Chicago and declared to everyone, "I'm never coming back!" Fifteen years later, after living in several places across the country, my husband and I had triplet babies and asked ourselves, "Where do we want to raise our family?" The answer was clear. With my three sisters all living here, too, it's proof that there's something special about this place.
After being away, I realized my deep appreciation for the memories I'd built here. Although some things have changed, Webster's charm lies in its ability to maintain tradition while embracing new opportunities.
KCL: What specific memory stands out from your childhood?
Mayor Arnold: The Fourth of July in Webster Groves is unforgettable—I'd argue no town does it better. From the Lions Club carnival to the spectacular fireworks and the quintessential small-town American parade. A newer addition is the pet parade, where people dress up their pets, and I'm all for it.
One of my most vivid memories is playing in a mid-season softball all-star game at Memorial Field on the Fourth of July and turning around to see such a huge crowd cheering for us. That memory has stuck with me.
Another standout experience was attending Douglas Elementary School, a former Black high school in St. Louis County. The district's approach to education was forward-thinking, incorporating music into the curriculum and grouping classes like third and fourth grades together. There, I learned that education can be dynamic and creative.
I attended Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, where a choir director staged huge spring musicals. Even though I don't sing, act, or dance, she managed to make those of us in the back singing the alto parts very softly feel valued just as much as the people in front belting out solos.
KCL: Who inspired you growing up?
Mayor Arnold: Sports played a significant role in my life. Women athletes didn't have as much visibility back then, but Jackie Joyner-Kersee was one of my most important role models. I even got to guard her during a basketball game when I was a freshman at Northwestern, and she was at UCLA. It was a surreal moment for an 18-year-old super fan! After the game, I told her she inspired me to work hard and believe in myself. At the time, people didn't always credit women's athletic success to work ethic—it was chalked up to natural ability—but watching Jackie's drive changed that narrative for me.
Another source of inspiration was my parents, especially my father, who was a fundraiser for Republican candidates like Kit Bond. Seeing my parents' commitment to public service taught me the value of supporting causes I believe in. They showed me the importance of getting involved and making a positive impact. I believe that's something that everyone can agree on, regardless of their political beliefs.
KCL: Tell us about your family.
Mayor Arnold: My husband David and I had a long journey to starting a family. We knew that infertility treatments could increase our chances of having multiple babies. We have three kids—Andy, Marion, and Will. When we discovered we were having triplets, I joked with my husband, saying I'd almost gotten him a puppy the week before. Having triplets was a whirlwind, but our support system—our moms and my sisters—was invaluable. We've always encouraged our kids to develop their own identities, not just be "The Triplets." Our school district and community helped foster that independence. All of them are out of college, and none live here. Andy is a sportswriter at Urbana-Champaign, Marion works for a nonprofit in St. Paul, and Will is pursuing a master's in public policy and data science in Washington, D.C. They are taking their mother's route and going out into the world for a while. Hopefully, we'll see them back here.
KCL: How did you meet your husband?
Mayor Arnold: We were both college interns for Jack Danforth in his U.S. Senate office. After we graduated from college, we married and lived in D.C.
KCL: What does a normal day look like?
Mayor Arnold: I can't wrap my head around the word normal because no two days are alike when you're the Mayor. I enjoy spending time with my mom, and I get to do that a lot these days. I'm also an avid reader; historical fiction is my current go-to. Sports are still a love of mine, especially with the increased programming of women's sports on TV. I'm watching more women's games now than I've seen in the past 25 years.
One thing my husband and I started doing is traveling more. We were just in Vermont for "Leaf Peeping Season," which was wonderful.
I'd love to attend a Women's World Cup soccer final. Another dream is to see a Liverpool football match in England. My husband's a die-hard fan, and I'd love to experience it with him.
KCL: What are you passionate about?
Mayor Arnold: Teaching has been a big part of my life, and I miss it. I spent 25 years teaching political science at various universities, including SIU Carbondale, Ohio State, Webster University, and UMSL, where I finished my career in 2020. Through teaching, I helped students think critically and prepare themselves to be heard, even if they were not the traditionally outspoken type. There are a lot of us who have things to say but use fewer words.
I'm passionate about connecting people in ways that make them feel seen and valued, especially when bridging differences. Even though I'm relatively introverted, what gets me going is creating spaces where people can connect, feel heard, and bond over shared experiences. As the former chair of Arts and Faith St. Louis, a group that organizes events like interfaith art tours and concerts, I'm passionate about bringing people from different religious backgrounds together through art so we can focus more on what unites us rather than what divides us. I was taught that you can respect someone with an entirely different perspective and acknowledge that you have differences. That doesn't diminish them as a person, and that doesn't make you a better person. The notion of peacefully disagreeing with other people is a lost art.