Uncrowned Community Builders

Josephine Hunter Robbins was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. Josephine completed her formative education in her home city. She completed studies for a Bachelor of Science degree in biology at Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. After moving to Buffalo, she earned both her Masters in Secondary Education as well as the Certification in Administration and Supervision from Buffalo State College.

Mrs. Robbins began her career in 1956 as a science teacher. From 1956 to 1959, she taught in two public schools in Raleigh. She re-located to Buffalo, New York in 1960. Her teaching career in the Buffalo Public Schools spanned a 35 year period and included six years teaching junior high school science and ten years as an Administrator, with teaching assignments in science, chemistry and biology. This latter position was at St. Augustine's School/Fulton Academic Complex, a school for pregnant and parenting teens. Mrs. Robbins concluded her teaching career as the secondary principal at St. Augustine's/Fulton Academic Complex. She retired in 1995.

She has been a member of St. Philip's Episcopal Church since 1989. She has served numerous terms on the Vestry, including serving as Warden of the Parish. She has also served as the Superintendent of the Sunday school. She actively serves as a Lay Eucharistic Minister of the Parish. At the Diocesan level, she has served on the Diocesan Council, Episcopal Church Home Board, Board of Episcopal Community Services, Board of Ventures in Faith, Lay Episcopal Youth Council Advisor of the Central Erie Deanery, Urban Missioner Committee, and Diocesan Commission on Ministries.

Her community involvement reflects the high level of her commitment to community service. Past community participation includes membership on the Infant Mortality Task Force, Erie County Health Advisory Board, National Youth Sports Program Advisory Committee, Erie County EEO Hearing Complaint Board, National Association Concerned with School Age Parents, Governor's Task Force on Teen Pregnancy, Buffalo Teachers' Federation, Buffalo Secondary Principals' Association, National Association for Secondary School Principals, National Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Black Educators' Association, Western New York Coalition on Teen Pregnancy, St. Augustine's Community Center Board of Directors, Deaconess Hospital Family Planning Advisory Board, March of Dimes Advisory Board, and Board of Directors of Homespace, Inc.

Mrs. Robbins is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Phi Omega Chapter. She serves on the St. Philip's Community Center Board and volunteers for Women for Human Rights and Dignity.

She has received a number of awards including, Community Service Award and the Angels for Service Award from Women for Human Rights and Dignity; Outstanding Community Service in Education Award; Humanitarian and Caring Award, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Great Lakes Region; and Woman of the Year Award from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

Mrs. Robbins was married to the late James Edward Robbins. She has two stepchildren and five step grandchildren.