Georgia Ann Robinson (née Hill; May 12, 1879 – September 21, 1961) was a trailblazing American police officer, activist, and community leader, best remembered as the first African American woman appointed as a police officer at the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and one of the first Black policewomen in the United States.
Early Life and Education
Born in Opelousas, Louisiana, Robinson was orphaned at a young age and raised first by her older sister, then in a Catholic convent after her sister could no longer care for her. At 18, she left the convent and moved to Kansas, where she worked as a governess. There, she met and married Morgan Robinson, a Leavenworth native.
Path to Law Enforcement
In Los Angeles, Robinson became deeply involved in community organizations and social activism. In 1916, during World War I, the LAPD faced a shortage of officers as many men enlisted in the military. Robinson was recruited to join the LAPD as a volunteer jail matron-a role she took on after years of community work. Robinson’s work focused on juvenile and homicide cases, as well as issues involving Black women. She was known for her compassionate approach, often referring women and girls to social services instead of incarceration.
Robinson met the strict requirements for policewomen: she was married, between 30–44 years old, and held a degree in nursing. On June 10, 1919, she was officially sworn in as a police officer, becoming the first Black woman to serve in the LAPD and one of the first in the nation. She worked alongside Alice Stebbins Wells, the first white female police officer in the U.S.
Police Career
Recognizing the need for a safe haven for women and girls, Robinson founded the Sojourner Truth Home, a shelter that provided refuge and support for those in need-a legacy that continued long after her police career ended.
Career-Ending Injury
In 1928, Robinson’s police career was tragically cut short. While intervening in a fight between two intoxicated female inmates, she suffered a violent assault: her head was smashed against jail bars, and her keys were shoved into her eye, leaving her permanently blind. She retired at age 49 due to her injuries.
Despite this life-changing event, Robinson expressed no regrets, famously telling Ebony magazine in 1954, “I have no regrets. I didn’t need my eyes any longer. I had seen all there was to see.
