Doris A. Davis

Doris A. Davis (born circa 1935) 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.

Political career

In 1965, 33-year-old Davis defeated incumbent Clyde Harland to become Compton'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.

Political offices
Preceded by Clyde Harland	City Clerk, Compton, California 1965—1973	Succeeded by Unknown
Preceded by Douglas Dollarhide	Mayor of Compton, California 1973—1977	Succeeded by Lionel Cade

References

• Jet, June 11, 2001, vol. 99 issue 26, p. 19
• Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, "Distaff mayor determined in dream for Compton", November 11, 1973, pt. A, p. 10
• Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, "Compton's mayor Doris Davis speaks out", April 19, 1974, p. A-2
• Los Angeles Times, "Doris Davis running hard and fast", September 23, 1973, pt. 10, p1

Persondata
Name	Davis, Doris A.
Alternative names
Short description	American politician
Date of birth	1935
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death