Jane D. Robbins Explained

Jane D. Robbins
Birth Name:Jane Ellen Dickison
Nationality:American
Office:Member of the Compton (California) City Council from the 4th district
Term Start:1976
Term End:1995
Predecessor:Hillard Hamm
Successor:Fred Cressel
Party:Republican[1]
Birth Date:June 26, 1919[2]
Birth Place:Compton, California
Birthname:Jane Ellen Dickison
Death Date:[3]
Residence:Compton, California
Relations:Father: Clarence Anson Dickison
Mother: Meda Kelso
Spouse:Robert Robbins
Children:Paula Mae Robbins
Robyn Jane Robbins
Occupation:School principal

Jane D. Robbins (June 26, 1919 – March 1, 2008)[2] [3] served on the Compton City Council from 1976 until 1995. She is the last Anglo and Republican to serve on the Compton City Council.

Biography

Born Jane Ellen Dickison on June 26, 1919,[2] [3] as the daughter of Clarence Anson Dickison (July 28, 1878 – February 8, 1965), a school teacher, who in 1924 became Compton's first mayor and the former Meda Kelso (October 2, 1885 – July 31, 1962). Both of her parents are natives of the state of Missouri.[4] She met her future husband, Compton Police Officer Robert Robbins on a blind date. They married just three days later.[4] The union produced two daughters, Paula Mae and Robyn Jane.

In 1976, when Compton City Councilman Hillard Hamm was convicted of extortion, Robbins, won a special election to fill his seat. Prior to her election, she was principal of Dickison Elementary, named after her father.[4]

Robbins who'd rather recite a poem or share anecdotes about the city's history than debate political issues, was so beloved by her constituents, that she won reelection four times without extensive campaigning.[4] She served until 1995, when she lost a fifth reelection bid to Fred Cressel.

Upon her defeat, Omar Bradley, Compton's often controversial mayor, spoke very highly of her. "Miss Robbins never ever said a mean thing about anyone. She was never vindictive, even when she was attacked," Bradley was quoted in a Los Angeles Times article about her. "I would like to be more like that."[4]

Upon leaving office, Robbins had the distinction of having the longest tenure of service on the Compton City Council. Her record would stand until Yvonne Arceneaux, broke her record in 2012.[5]

Robbins died on March 1, 2008, at the age of 88.[3]

References

  1. Web site: California Voter Registrations, 1900-1968 [database on-line] ]. The Generations Network . United States. 2008 . 2009-11-04.
  2. Web site: California Birth Index, 1905-1995 [database on-line] ]. The Generations Network . United States. 2005 . 2009-11-04.
  3. Web site: Social Security Death Index [database on-line] ]. The Generations Network . United States. 2009 . 2009-11-02.
  4. News: Marking the End of Campaign Trail in Compton - Politics: Jane D. Robbins, the daughter of the city's first mayor, has witnessed dramatic changes during her 18-year council tenure . . 1995-07-03 . Emily . Adams . 2009-11-03.
  5. Web site: Tana L. McCoy sworn in as new district 3 councilmember. City of Compton (CA). 2016-02-03. 30 April 2018.