Photo courtesy: Mayor Tannehill office
Robyn Tannehill never expected to become a politician — much less a mayor.
“I still wonder how I got here sometimes. I am an accidental politician,” Tannehill said. “I threw my name in the hat because I knew I had ideas that could make my community stronger.”
Tannehill is two years into her second term as the mayor of Oxford, having first stepped into office in 2017 and winning her re-election bid in 2021.
Tannehill grew up in Florence, Ala., in a family of seven, where she felt responsible for her siblings as the oldest of five children. During her childhood, Tannehill’s parents taught her the importance of hard work, ambition and the power of her faith. She credits these lessons as the things that have shaped her into the person she is today.
Before her path led her toward politics, Tannehill was an aspiring interior designer. She wanted to express herself creatively and dreamed of working in the job since she was a teenager.
Tannehill majored in art and interior design at the University of Mississippi and interned throughout her time as a student. During her junior year, she met her husband, Rhea Tannehill, and married him after graduating in 1992.
“My husband decided to go to law school, and so I began to look for jobs in Oxford,” Tannehill said.
As a newlywed, she soon realized that commission from interior design was not the best option for her family financially.
“I followed another path that led me to the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation and then to the Oxford Tourism Council,” Tannehill said.
After stoking and planning volunteer efforts across the community and chairing a referendum for the Oxford School District in 2011 to build the new high school campus, Tannehill felt an obligation to continue bettering the Oxford community.
“Oxford was at a critical time in its growth, and if proactive planning was not embraced, we could look up and not recognize our community one day,” Tannehill said.
With her “deep desire” to leave things better than she found them, Tannehill ran for alderman in 2013 and mayor four years later.
“I believe that Oxford is the crown jewel of Mississippi, and I am honored to get to make a difference here every single day,” Tannehill said.
Tannehill believes her connection to her alma mater gives her deeper insight into her role as mayor for the city. Her association with the university has shown throughout her time serving the community.
“My love for Oxford and Ole Miss are truly at the core of why I ran for office,” Tannehill said. “I have loved this community as a college student, a newlywed, a city employee, a small business owner, a volunteer, a parent, an alderman and now a mayor.”
Tannehill does not regard her campaign for mayor as a struggle but as a challenging and worthwhile process.
“The journey was exhausting at times but rewarding,” Tannehill said.
No matter how invested Tannehill is in the growth of the Oxford community, it is not her top priority — her family is. Tannehill has always viewed her mother as a role model.
“She has always put her family first. She taught me how to be a mother,” Tannehill said. “And, the truth is, being the mayor can sometimes be similar to being the mom of the town.”
The mother of three children, Tannehill is happiest when they’re home.
“My family recharges my batteries. I’m not very good at taking time off and relaxing, but I’m working on it,” she said.
Many only know Tannehill as an Oxford politician, but she believes that her role encompasses more than politics.
“I don’t think of myself as a politician,” Tannehill said. “I think of myself as a problem solver, community activist and changemaker.”
During her time as mayor, Tannehill has learned some important lessons about governance.
“In local politics, you can make a difference in someone’s quality of life every single day,” Tannehill said. “I’m not sure I realized that before I found myself in this seat.”
Instead of focusing on the negative aspects that may come with her position, Tannehill never lets the negativity affect her core value of faith.
“It affects every decision I make. It is also what gives me the courage to show up every day,” Tannehill said.
Tannehill understands that “all good things certainly come to an end.” However, she doesn’t know when the end of her political journey will be.
“I still have a lot of things I want to accomplish. I’m not sure what my next chapter holds, honestly,” Tannehill said. “I am enjoying this season of my life and my adult children. We will see what God has in store.”
