Democratic Women's Club of Palm Bay
" Things Come Together When We Work Together " ( Linda McLachlan )
Marylou Robinson
1919 - 2019
Founder and First President of Local Club - Chartered 1990
The Democratic Women's Club of Palm Bay Florida, of the
Democratic Women's Club of Florida, Inc.
Mary Lou Robinson was born in Albany, Georgia, and passed away on December 31, 2019. At a very young age she moved to Melbourne, Florida, where she resided until she was 20 years old. She then moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut to live and work.
Marylou and Jonathan retired from civil service in 1980 and moved from New York to Melbourne, Fl. where they began the second career in community activism and public service. Marylou began as a Friend of the Stone Library and became active in Women's Club at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, then Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. She joined and became active in the N.A.A.C.P., volunteered with C.O.P.E. and just Say No to Drugs. She was a member and former President of the Extension Homemakers of Brevard. Marylou and Jonathan organized the Jonathan Robinson Theatre Workshop for at-risk Children from 1981 to 1984. The children, with Marylou and Jonathan's encouragement, training and discipline, organized and performed a fundraiser concert for the King Center for the Performing Arts. Children's lives were enriched because of the dedication of Marylou and Jonathan. Marylou was active in the Palm Bay Family and Community Educators Club for 13 years, serving as President for two years.
She served as President of the County Council for two years, was Citizenship and Community Outreach Chair for 6 years, and also was President of the South Brevard Democratic Women's Club where she organized and served as President of the Palm Bay Democratic Women's Club for the first two years. She was Chair of the State Region Boundaries Special Committee and a Deputy Registrar, Precinct Committeewoman and Election Clerk. Marylou was an active member of the Democratic Executive Committee of Brevard County, served on the Affirmative Action and Precinct Organization Committees, and was a member of the Silver Haired Legislature.
Last but not least, Marylou " in her spare time" kept extremely active volunteering for many political campaigns and working to support the Democratic party and its candidates. In conclusion, the only thing that kept Marylou from being more active in her community was her inability to drive at night. Marylou accomplished a great deal for her community in her life, but among the most rewarding was the founding of the Democratic Women's Club of Palm Bay in 1990. She saw a need in her community and fulfilled it. She started off with 14 women members, but needed one more member to complete the requirement to establish a quorum, so her husband, the late Jonathan Robinson, joined and became the first and only male member in the Club to satisfy the requirement and formed the first Democratic Women's Club of Palm Bay, Florida. The Club is still in existence for over 25 years with a membership of approximately 90 members, both male and female. She should be proud.
Marylou and Jonathan were married for 72 years until his death on March 24, 2014. They had five children ( Eugene, Theodore, Sharon, Sheila and Richard ) They have 13 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren. Marylou is an inspiration to us all. We continue to
take an active role as progressive women and men who make a difference in our government and political system.