Honoring the Life of Gloria Johnson

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, today we pay tribute to the life of Gloria Johnson, a nationally recognized activist and San Diego community leader who worked tirelessly for more than 50 years for social justice and civil rights. With Gloria's passing this September, it is fitting we honor her as a strong-willed, compassionate, loyal, and tenacious trailblazer whose legacy will continue through those she mentored and in the communities she nurtured. Gloria will be remembered as a champion for women, the LGBT community, and progressive values.

Gloria was born on August 26 and took immense pride in the fact she shared her birthday with Women's Equality Day, and she lived in accordance with its principles. Gloria was a member of the National Organization for Women for more than 40 years, including serving as a state board member and president of the local chapter. She campaigned for the Equal Rights Amendment, even receiving jail time for civil disobedience after protesting the measure's defeat. In addition to campaigning arduously for women leaders including Hilary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and many in our local and state legislatures, Gloria served as a mentor to many young women and was appointed to the Governor's Committee on Women's Issues and inducted into the county's Women's Hall of Fame, thus promoting women's rights in multiple forums.

Gloria worked for the County of San Diego for thirty years, serving as a champion for the LGBT community. During the latter half of her tenure, and at the onset of the AIDS epidemic, she was one of the first social workers in San Diego to work with individuals suffering from the disease in the county's AIDS Case Management Program. Gloria took immense pride in that work, for which San Diego's LGBT community is profoundly grateful. Additionally, she served as cochair of a committee created to defeat a 1978 California state initiative that would have banned gays and lesbians from teaching in public schools.

While she most recently served as cochair of the California Democratic Party LGBT Caucus, Gloria's extensive political activism and leadership began many years prior. In 1977, she joined the newly formed San Diego Democratic Club (now Democrats for Equality), became president of the club in 1980, and remained a sitting board member until her death. Named one of The Advocate's top 400 U.S. gay leaders in 1984, she also served as founding member of Lesbian Rights Task Force and board member of the National Stonewall Democrats.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in paying tribute to the life of Gloria Johnson. Gloria's active leadership, steadfast beliefs, pioneering character, and inclusive spirit will be missed by many.

Source