Uncrowned Community Builders

After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio, Ms. Robinson embarked upon a career in social work administration, combined with volunteerism.

In her professional life, she worked for thirty-three years at the Erie County Department of Social Services (1947 to 1981). In rapid succession, her job responsibilities began as caseworker, unit supervisor, district supervisor, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, and concluded with her title of Deputy Commissioner of Social Services. During these years she had sole responsibility of Child Welfare, Medicaid, and Food Stamps for Erie County, as well as ancillary services for the entire department, i.e., accounting, message center, record room, staff development, etc.

In her administrative capacities, the Social Services Commissioner appointed her to membership in community services, e.g., the Greater Buffalo American Red Cross, the Community Action Organization, and United Way. She has been devoted to service in more than forty agencies.

Ms. Robinson has a legacy of having broken numerous racial and gender barriers. She adds many firsts to her credit: first black female Assistant Deputy Commissioner - Erie County Social Services; first black President of the American Lung Association of Western New York; first black local chairwoman of Volunteers, Vice Chairwoman Greater Buffalo, Chapter of American Red Cross; first black Vice Chairman and Secretary of the National Red Cross Convention; first black Chairwoman of the Eastern Area of National Red Cross (included Eastern Seaboard and Puerto Rico); first black Vice President of the Buffalo Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers; first black Vice President and President Elect of Zonta Club of Buffalo; first black Female Board Member of Buffalo Philharmonic Society; first black Board Member of Samaritan Counseling Center; first black President and Board Member of Bry-Lin Hospitals; first black Band Member of Interima Home Health Care; first black Chair of Admissions Committee of United Way of Buffalo and Erie County; and first black Professional volunteer to receive Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA) in the United States.

Edith has been married for fifty-five years to James C. Robinson. They share a love of the same professional careers as well as a love of volunteerism. Their son, Wesley, is a retired parole officer and undercover agent for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

She is a Golden Soror (fifty years-plus membership) of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. And she is active in Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter of the sorority.