Hinds County District 3 Supervisor

Peggy Culberson (Hobson) Calhoun was born in Noxapater, Mississippi and raised in Jackson. She graduated from Jackson State University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree. At the age of 18 she was one of two African-Americans to be first hired at Southern Bell, now BellSouth Telecommunications in Jackson. In December, 1995, serving as Supplier Programs manager, she retired from BellSouth with 29 years of service.

In April 1992, Supervisor Calhoun officially became the first African-American woman in Hinds County to serve on the Board of Supervisors, the governing body of the County. She represents District Three and has been re-elected to serve her third term.

Political Accomplishments

Her political history may be short, but her accomplishments in her tenure are numerous.
To list a few:

Expanded health care services in the Metro area to include financial assistance for eyeglasses for children and senior citizens
Worked with the Jackson Housing Authority and Jackson Chamber of Commerce in originating a self-sufficiency program. Eleven families were able to purchase homes and acquired jobs paying livable wages.
Initiated the process of consolidating and centralizing many government services for efficiency.
Lobbied for more infrastructure improvements throughout the County.
Increased women and minority participation in County procurement. Women and minority owned businesses now account for almost 20% of all contracts with Hinds County.
Created community harmony and cooperative coalitions in the County by co-sponsoring various activities honoring the family and youth.
Solicited funds of $65,000 for a home improvement/painting project in the Veteran's Field area.
Initiated with her husband the "Save Our Youth" workshops and other youth programs within Hinds County, working with thousands of youths in the Jackson Public School System.
Worked with the Hinds County Economic Development District in increasing the number of businesses and industries in all of Hinds County's industrial parks, creating almost 3,000 jobs with an overall economic impact of nearly $250 million.
Spearheaded successful legislation to help pay for the cost of the Youth Detention Center. Requested legislation that allows technology developed by the County to be used by the private sector for a fee.
Supported tax increment financing for the Super Wal-Mart on Highway 18 to improve access, streets and traffic signaling.
Centralized the County's communications system and copier services, saving the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.