Rep. Melba J. Curls, a Democrat, represents part of Jackson County (District 41) in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Rep. Curls was elected to fill an unexpired term in a special election in August 1999.

In addition to her legislative duties, Rep. Curls is the administrative assistant to the Head Start director at KCMC Child Development Corporation located in the Kansas City area. Previously she was employed in the personnel and mayor's office with the City of Kansas City; as a sales assistant with KCTV 5; and as a staff assistant in the Kansas City office of Sen. Tom Eagleton.

In addition to serving as vice-president of Friends of Bruce Watkins Cultural Heritage Center and a member of the board of directors for the Catholic Charities Kansas City/St. Joseph, Rep. Curls is also a member of the following organizations: Freedom, Inc., political club; NAACP; a charter member of the United Minority Media Association; and the St. Louis Catholic Church Pastoral Council. She is also a past member of Jack and Jill of America.

A graduate of Central High School, Rep. Curls attended the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Born October 3, 1941, in Kansas, Rep. Curls currently resides in Kansas City with her husband, Phil B. Curls. They have four children: Phillip II, Michael, Monica and Louis; and two grandchildren, Desmond and Joshua.