Those who are lucky enough to call themselves friends to Molly Rawn know that she is a hard person to dislike. She enjoys spending her limited free time reading books or watching movies. She is immensely proud of the family that she has built with her husband, Jeremy. Her unique sense of humor can make anyone laugh. Yet, at Rawn’s core, is a desire to advocate for change. When she saw a chance to lead her beloved city of Fayetteville into a new era, she took a risk – and it paid off. In January, Rawn was sworn in as Fayetteville's first new mayor in 16 years.
“There’s something special about Fayetteville – its authenticity. It’s hard to put your finger on, but those who live here know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s home, and there’s no other place I’d rather live right now,” said Rawn.
Rawn’s adoration for Fayetteville is evident in her life and career. The Paragould, Arkansas native expected to live her life in Little Rock with her husband; however, the Rawns found themselves moving to Fayetteville in 2005 to attend the University of Arkansas and ended up falling in love with the city, choosing it as the forever home for their three children. This unexpected trajectory led her into her previous, beloved role as Chief Executive Officer of Experience Fayetteville, an organization dedicated to bringing economic development to the city through tourism experiences.
“My time at Experience Fayetteville allowed me to get to know our city from a great vantage point of what makes Fayetteville fantastic. I love to work in the community and on behalf of the community in which I live. It was a phenomenal experience,” said Rawn.
Rawn is incredibly proud of her work at Experience Fayetteville, where she had the chance to increase the economic activity of the city by completing projects such as the Art Court on Dickson Street. Rawn’s commitment to the city led her to decide to take things to the next level, announcing her mayoral campaign in 2023.
“I thought that I could do a good job and believed that I could make an impact. There’s so much that Fayetteville is doing right, but there are some things I felt that we could do better, and I was in the position to make a difference,” said Rawn.
A mayoral campaign was uncharted territory for Rawn, but the hands-on support of her family helped lead her to victory. Rawn said that her husband and children helped in their own ways, whether it be by going door-to-door to spread her mission statements, stamping postcards, or even just keeping her company.
“I would not have begun this journey had I not had the support of my family. It was a decision weighty enough that it’s one we made together,” said Rawn.
Rawn’s election as mayor was historic for Fayetteville. Not only is she the first newly-elected mayor in 16 years, but she is the first woman to be elected mayor in a city-wide election. Rawn is also the first woman to hold the coveted position since 1987.
“It feels pretty darn fantastic! I didn’t run because I’m a woman, and yet I know that those things are important, and I’m honored. I feel like it is part of my job to make sure that I’m not the last woman in this office and that we don’t go another almost 40 years until the next one.”
Rawn has only been in office for a few months, but she’s undeniably steadfast in her values of transparency, efficiency, and moving Fayetteville forward. Among her hopes for the future of Fayetteville is a commitment to working together with the city’s younger community to bring their ideas for the city to fruition and the addition of an aquatic center.
“I believe that our best years lie ahead of us, and I am excited to lead us there.”
I believe that our best years lie ahead of us, and I am excited to lead us there.