Emma J. Harvat, the first woman mayor of Iowa City, was born in 1870 to Mary and Joseph Harvat. She was educated at Iowa City High School and Williams Commercial College. After working for several years at her uncle's stores, Lee Brothers Book and Stationery, Harvat bought into the business and became a partner.

She later opened her own book store in Missouri, which she owned and operated for several years before selling it for a profit and returning to Iowa City. Upon her return in 1913, she opened the largest women's ready-wear clothing store in Iowa City with her business partner and friend, May Stach, and founded the Iowa City Professional and Business Women League.

In April 1921 Harvat ran on the Republican ticket for alderman-at-large and was elected. She served in that position until June 1922 when Iowa City's mayor resigned and the city council appointed her as standing mayor for the remainder of his term. Harvat thus became not only the first woman mayor of Iowa City, but also the first woman mayor of any city in the United States with a population over 10,000. Harvat was re-elected by the public to a second term. Her administration was known for running the city like a business and opposing bootleggers during prohibition. During her term as mayor, Harvat organized the first juvenile home in Iowa City and began paving Iowa City's streets. Harvat served as mayor until 1925. She died in 1949 at the age of 79.