Overview: Passing the Torch of Community Action
Guest Columnist Divya Thamman, an intern at the Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute, highlights the historic civil rights victories of Dr. Josie Johnson. Discover three practical ways families and educators can use her legacy to inspire local youth to step into leadership.
There are many trailblazers in history who don’t get the spotlight they deserve, individuals who fought against barriers and led positive new change.
One of these incredible leaders is Dr. Josie Johnson, who is featured in Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute’s new book in the Difference Makers series.
Minnesota and other areas in the nation carry the remnants of government-instituted housing racism. This was practiced through redlining and racial covenants that were set in place by the federal government in the 1930s.
It was government-instituted discrimination like this that impacted the Rondo community in St. Paul. Redlining and the construction of the I-94 highway through the community destroyed hundreds of Black-owned businesses and homes and fractured community connections.
Redlining and racial covenants were codified for 34 years and weren’t legally prohibited until April 10, 1968, when Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act. But there’s a story that took place seven years earlier, one about how Dr. Josie Johnson, nicknamed “The First Lady of Minnesota Civil Rights,” helped pass America’s first state-level fair housing act.
A Lifelong Commitment to Community Leadership
Dr. Josie Johnson grew up in a family committed to civic engagement and justice. As a teen, she worked alongside her father on important civil rights issues. She went on to work as an officer for the Minneapolis NAACP.
She later became known for lobbying for fair housing. Her efforts would help result in the passing of the first state-level fair housing act in America, one that prohibited racially discriminatory housing practices in Minnesota.
She continued her leadership as acting director of the Minneapolis Urban League. The Urban League worked for housing equality programs, workforce equality and civic engagement. She became the first Black woman appointed to the National Board of the League of Women Voters. Dr. Josie Johnson was a leader who used civic involvement for trailblazing change throughout her life.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Civic Leaders
So how can we teach our youth to be leaders and civically involved in their communities? PPGJLI’s new book on Dr. Josie Johnson is an essential read for teaching youth about principles of leadership and civic engagement. Inspired by the trailblazing efforts of Dr. Josie Johnson, here are three ways to teach youth about principles of leadership and civic engagement.
Model Active Civic Engagement at the Polls
First, practice modeling civic participation. Bring children with you to the polls when voting. Explain the process and how each voice matters.
In a time when more people stay home than vote in midterm elections (46% turnout rate), civic engagement is more important than ever. Voter accessibility is an essential part of democracy, and one that leaders like Dr. Josie Johnson fought for. Listen to the issues that youth care about and are experiencing, and write to your local and state representatives together. This fosters a mindset of civic involvement centered around problem-solving and a better future.
Connect Youth to Hands-On Community Service
Second, engage kids in community service activities. Volunteer at a local food pantry, clean up parks together or help rake or shovel an elder’s yard.
By engaging kids in service-based support, you’re giving back to your community, getting your child excited about positive action and helping them identify how to bridge issues with solutions to be a part of the change they want to see, while strengthening community connections.
Elevate Diverse Role Models and Untold Stories
Third, learn from the stories of diverse role models. Read and discuss the stories of changemakers and role models like Dr. Josie Johnson. Check out PPGJLI’s “Difference Makers” series to learn more.
Spark conversations about people who used their voice for good or to make a change for a better future for all. By seeing diverse examples of people who led change, children can see themselves as changemakers too.
Ultimately, it’s the young people of the next generation who are our future. Just as Dr. Josie Johnson stood up against discriminatory housing practices impacting her community, let the youth of today take inspiration from the trailblazers of the past to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Divya Thamman is an intern at Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute. For more information, you can visit www.ppgjli.org/ or email info@ppgj.org.