She worked as a manager for the Glasgow Housing Association prior to becoming Lord Provost.Docherty was born in the Gorbals area of Glasgow to Patrick and Margaret Boyle.
At age 2, the family moved to Castlemilk.
She was educated at Dougrie Terrace Primary School and St Margaret Mary's Secondary School before studying Public Administration at the Glasgow College of Technology and Scottish Local Authority Management at the University of Strathclyde.