When did Jo Ann Robinson die?

Jo Ann Robinson: A Trailblazer in the Montgomery Bus Boycott

Early Life and Education

Key Facts

Jo Ann Robinson was born on April 17, 1912, near Culloden, Georgia.
She was the youngest of twelve children and grew up on a farm.
After her father’s death, her family moved to Macon, Georgia.
Robinson excelled in school and became the valedictorian of her high school.

Career and Activism:

Robinson graduated from Fort Valley State College with a Bachelor’s degree in 1934.
She became a public school teacher in Macon and later earned an M.A. in English at Atlanta University.
Robinson continued her education at Columbia University in New York and taught at various colleges, including Alabama State College in Montgomery.
She joined the Women’s Political Council (WPC) in Montgomery, which focused on improving the status of African Americans and increasing voter registration.
Robinson played a crucial role in organizing the Montgomery bus boycott after Rosa Parks’ arrest in 1955.
She faced acts of intimidation and violence during the boycott, but it eventually led to the end of segregated seating on buses.

Later Life and Legacy:

After leaving Alabama State College, Robinson taught at Grambling College in Louisiana before moving to Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles, she continued to be active in local women’s organizations and taught English in the public school system until her retirement in 1976.
Robinson’s memoir, “The Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Women Who Started It,” was published in 1987.
She passed away in Los Angeles on August 29, 1992.

Jo Ann Robinson was born on April 17, 1912, in Culloden, Georgia, the youngest of twelve children. Despite her humble beginnings, she excelled academically, becoming valedictorian of her high school. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Fort Valley State College in 1934, becoming the first person in her family to graduate from college.

Career and Activism

Robinson began her career as a public school teacher in Macon, Georgia. She later earned a Master’s degree in English from Atlanta University and continued her studies at Columbia University in New York. In 1949, she moved to Montgomery, Alabama, to teach at Alabama State College.

Robinson became actively involved in the Women’s Political Council (WPC) in Montgomery, an organization dedicated to empowering African American women and addressing social issues. In 1950, she became the WPC’s president and focused its efforts on desegregating public transportation.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

In 1955, after Rosa Parks’ arrest for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery bus, Robinson played a pivotal role in organizing the Montgomery bus boycott. She and her associates distributed leaflets calling for a one-day boycott, which proved overwhelmingly successful.

The boycott continued for over a year, with Robinson working behind the scenes as a member of the Montgomery Improvement Association’s executive board. She wrote and edited the MIA’s newsletter and volunteered in the carpool system that transported African Americans to work.

Intimidation and Harassment

Robinson faced acts of intimidation and harassment during the boycott, including a rock thrown through her window and acid poured on her car. Despite these threats, she remained steadfast in her commitment to the cause.

Legacy

The Montgomery bus boycott ended in 1956 with the U.S. Supreme Court declaring segregated seating on buses unconstitutional. Robinson’s role in the boycott earned her recognition as a pioneering civil rights activist. She continued to teach and be active in her community until her death in Los Angeles in 1992.

Robinson’s memoir, “The Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Women Who Started It,” published in 1987, provides a firsthand account of the boycott and the role of women in the movement. Her legacy as a trailblazer and advocate for equality continues to inspire generations.

Sources

FAQs

Jo Ann Robinson died on August 29, 1992, in Los Angeles, California.

How old was Jo Ann Robinson when she died?

Jo Ann Robinson was 80 years old when she died.

Where is Jo Ann Robinson buried?

Jo Ann Robinson’s burial site is not publicly known.

What was the cause of Jo Ann Robinson’s death?

The cause of Jo Ann Robinson’s death has not been publicly disclosed.

Did Jo Ann Robinson have any children?

There is no publicly available information about Jo Ann Robinson’s children.

Was Jo Ann Robinson married?

There is no publicly available information about Jo Ann Robinson’s marital status.

What was Jo Ann Robinson’s occupation?

Jo Ann Robinson was a teacher, civil rights activist, and author.