Hope in the Struggle written by Carolina Apaez '21
Every year, the McCarthy Center Residency highlights the work of extraordinary individuals in public service, policy, and politics. For the 13th annual residency, the McCarthy Center eagerly welcomed the civil rights champion, Dr. Josie Johnson. Throughout her career, Dr. Johnson has vigorously fought to dismantle the systemic racism in Minnesota. Her tenacious character led her to work with many organizations, including the League of Women Voters, NAACP, Minneapolis Urban League, and Democratic Farmer-Labor Party. A trailblazer in her field, Dr. Johnson also became the first Black woman on the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents.
I first met Dr. Johnson the morning of what was supposed to be the first day of the Spring Residency back in early March. The news of COVID-19 was starting to seep in, and due to clear health reasons, the residency was postponed. However, during my brief encounter with Dr. Johnson, we bonded over our similarities growing up; We both were born and raised in Houston, TX and later moved to a city in Minnesota. As Dr. Johnson recounted her first time in Minneapolis, it became clear to me that the Minnesota she experienced was completely different from what we know today. She recalls the deeply-seated racism that African Americans faced; including being denied the right to vote, holding a political office, and even serving on juries. Dr. Johnson gives a greater insight into these limitations of justice and her fight for fairness in her memoir, Hope in the Struggle.
13th Annual McCarthy Center Residency with Dr. Josie Johnson MCCARTHY MAGAZINE Â |Â 8
www.csbsju.edu/mccarthy-center
