Senator Gladys Ashe Robinson, Deputy Minority Leader of the North Carolina Senate, has been elected to her fifth term in the Senate. She is Chair of the Guilford County Delegation and is a dedicated advocate for the people of North Carolina, specifically Guilford County. Senator Robinson serves on the following Legislative Committees: Appropriations/Base Budget, Education/Higher Education, Commerce and Insurance, Health Care and Select Committee on Nominations. Non-Standing Committees: Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee, Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid and NC Health Choice and Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services. Senator Robinson also serves as the North Carolina/South Carolina Co-Chair of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators Region V and the Governors State Health Coordinating Council.
Senator Robinson has served in executive leadership capacities for 45 years in health and human services, a graduate of the UCLA/Johnson and Johnson Health Care Executives Program. Recently retired, Senator Robinson has served as Executive Director for Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency ( a community based organization that addresses health disparities in minority communities, as sickle cell, HIV/AIDS and STDs, infant mortality, etc.) since 1982. She served as an Executive in Aging for 10 years. Senator Robinson is also a Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc., Board Member.
Senator Robinson is a graduate of Bennett College. She has earned both a Masters in Education and Counseling and a Ph.D in Leadership Studies from North Carolina A&T State University. She has certifications in Nonprofit Management.
As the senior woman and member of the Senate, Senator Robinson is a strong advocate for education, small businesses, jobs, women’s rights and ensuring health and quality of life for low income, minority, disabled and elderly populations. Senator Robinson was one of the originators of the “Breast Cancer Density Legislation”, she introduced legislation on Medicaid Expansion; Lupus, which passed the Senate; and she has worked on issues of domestic violence and homelessness; and was co-sponsor of the Statewide Standing Order/Opioid, S734, that also passed the Senate. Having served on the UNC Board of Governors for almost 10 years, she is the greatest proponent of higher education, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and the public education system in our state.
Locally, she is on the Triad Adult & Pediatrics Medicine Board, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Chair of the Bennett College Board of Trustees, Democratic Women of Guilford County, Lillian’s List, Metropolitan Council of Negro Women and a life member of the PTA and NAACP. She was a founder of the Guilford Community AIDS Partnership, chaired the High Point AIDS Coalition and the first Guilford Coalition on Homelessness Committee. Senator Robinson has received many awards throughout her professional career, including: 2016 Public Service Award; 2015 Legislator of the Year Award, NC Association of Local Health Directors; 2015 Defenders of Justice Award for Legislative & Administrative Advocacy; 2015 Recipient of the Luther “Nick” Jerald’s Advocacy Award; 2015 Southern Health Association Outstanding Legislator Award; 2015 HBCU Living Legends Award; 2012 UNCF Alumni Hall of Fame Award; 2012 Trailblazer Award for Beautiful Butterflies Lupus Foundation; 2010 Sojourner Truth Award; 2009 Leadership Greensboro Community Award; 2006 McDonald’s Rhythms of Triumph Award; 2005 Moses Cone Wesley Long Community Health Award; 2000 Woman of Achievement in Health; 1994 NAACP Woman of the Year.
Senator Robinson has 2 adult daughters and 3 grandchildren; and is Asst. Church Clerk and a Sunday School Teacher at Providence Baptist Church.