Doris A. Davis

Doris A. Davis (ca. 1935 – February 19, 2018) was a 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.

Early Life and Education Davis was born in Waukegan, Illinois. Her parents were Ruby and Cornelius Collins, and they separated before Davis was five years old.

Davis graduated from Wendell Phillips Academy High School in Chicago, Illinois. She earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from Chicago Teachers College. Davis attended Northwestern University and earned a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in educational administration. In 1973, she challenged and defeated incumbent Compton Mayor Douglas Dollarhide. By doing so, she became the first female African American Mayor of a major metropolitan city in the United States. She served one term and 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.

Until 2013, Davis was the only female mayor in Compton's history. On June 4, 2013, Aja Brown was elected as Compton's second female mayor and the city's youngest mayor. In 2004, Alita Godwin became only the second black woman to serve as Compton City Clerk.