Doris A. Davis
Encyclopedia
Doris A. Davis is a former mayor of Compton, California
, who earned a place in history as the first African-American woman mayor of a metropolitan city in the United States
.
's first black
City Clerk. Eight years later she challenged and defeated another incumbent, Compton Mayor Douglas Dollarhide
. By doing so, she became the first female African American Mayor of a major metropolitan city. However, after four years as mayor she did not seek re-election.
Davis was succeeded in 1977 by another African-American, Lionel Cade
, an accountant and former member of the city council, who also served only one term.
In 1986, Davis unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the California State Assembly
, 54th District. She finished third in the Democratic
primary.
To date, Davis is the only female mayor in Compton's history. In 2004, Alita Godwin became only the second black
woman to serve as Compton City Clerk.
Compton, California
Compton is a city in southern Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city of Compton is one of the oldest cities in the county and on May 11, 1888, was the eighth city to incorporate. The city is considered part of the South side by residents of Los...
, who earned a place in history as the first African-American woman mayor of a metropolitan city in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Political career
In 1965, 33-year-old Davis defeated incumbent Clyde Harland to become ComptonCompton, California
Compton is a city in southern Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city of Compton is one of the oldest cities in the county and on May 11, 1888, was the eighth city to incorporate. The city is considered part of the South side by residents of Los...
's first black
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
City Clerk. Eight years later she challenged and defeated another incumbent, Compton Mayor Douglas Dollarhide
Douglas Dollarhide
Douglas Dollarhide was the first African American mayor of a metropolitan city in California.-Biography:...
. By doing so, she became the first female African American Mayor of a major metropolitan city. However, after four years as mayor she did not seek re-election.
Davis was succeeded in 1977 by another African-American, Lionel Cade
Lionel Cade
Lionel B. Cade was an American accountant who served as mayor of Compton, California, from 1977 until 1981.-Biography:...
, an accountant and former member of the city council, who also served only one term.
In 1986, Davis unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
, 54th District. She finished third in the Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
primary.
To date, Davis is the only female mayor in Compton's history. In 2004, Alita Godwin became only the second black
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
woman to serve as Compton City Clerk.