Dillard University is deeply saddened to share the passing of one of our oldest and most distinguished alumni, Stella Lucile Pecot Robinson, RN, Ph.D., a proud member of the Class of 1948. Born on August 25, 1922, in Franklin, Louisiana, Dr. Robinson devoted more than a century of life to scholarship, service, social justice, and the advancement of nursing education nationwide.
A magna cum laude graduate of Dillard University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Dr. Robinson went on to earn a master’s degree in Nursing Education from Columbia University and a doctorate in Adult Education with a concentration in gerontology from the University of Southern Mississippi. While at Dillard, she served on the Executive Board of the Southern Negro Youth Congress and worked actively in voter education and registration efforts during the 1940s. She represented the University at regional, national, and international conferences—an early sign of the global impact she would go on to make.
In 1952, Dr. Robinson became the first African American instructor to teach in a registered nursing program in the State of California, joining the faculty of the Los Angeles County Hospital School of Nursing. Her career spanned eight nursing schools across five states, including the founding of Alcorn State University’s RN program and culminating with her retirement from the University of Michigan School of Nursing. Her excellence was widely recognized: the University of Michigan School of Nursing honored her with its Centennial Recognition Award, and Columbia University’s Teachers College named her a Distinguished Leader among TC Nursing Alumni and later inducted her into its Nursing Hall of Fame.
Beyond academia, Dr. Robinson made powerful contributions to social justice and community organizing. From leading the mid-1960s fight against the Concord Park housing proposal, to serving on the Equal Opportunity Advisory Committee by appointment of President John F. Kennedy, to holding leadership roles in the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and the LAUSD Black Education Commission—her life’s work reflected an unwavering commitment to equity and empowerment. She remained active in civic and neighborhood organizations well after retirement and was honored by the City of Los Angeles for her outstanding community service.
Dr. Robinson was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Lucius Robinson, Jr., and leaves behind a loving family that includes three children, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Dillard University is honored to celebrate a life so richly lived—one that exemplifies excellence, leadership, and the enduring power of a Bleu Devil education. In recognition of her legacy, a formal resolution will be presented at the Dillard University National Alumni Association, Los Angeles Chapter.
We extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Robinson’s family, friends, and all who were touched by her extraordinary life. May her legacy continue to inspire generations of Dillard students and alumni.
To honor Dr. Robinson’s life and the many lives she enriched, her family invites friends and supporters to make a gift to the Pecot Endowed Nursing Scholarship in lieu of flowers. Your contribution helps continue her legacy of giving by supporting the education and advancement of future nurses.
