A Long Overdue Recognition
Here's a tale of injustice finally coming around full circle—Dr. Lulu Merle Johnson, a woman who broke barriers as the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. from Iowa in 1941, is being honored properly. Back in the day, Iowa had the audacity to deny her employment despite her groundbreaking achievements. Instead, she built her fierce career in the segregated South, showing just how resilient she was.
A Monumental Tribute in Bronze
Fast forward to August 29, when Johnson County will unveil a 7-foot bronze statue of Dr. Johnson—now that's quite an apology, 85 years late. Crafted by Steve Maxon at Max-Cast in Kalona, this 1,500-pound bronze sentinel stands proud at 913 S. Dubuque St., surrounded by six interpretive panels. Doors open at 10 a.m., with ceremonies running till noon. A fitting tribute, echoing her aspirations and achievements.
"Dr. Johnson earned her doctorate in this county and could not be hired in this state. Recognizing her as the official eponym of the county was the correction. This statue is the proof," Lisa Green-Douglass, Vice Chair of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, pointed out bluntly.
A Legacy Forged in the Face of Barriers
Dr. Johnson was born in Gravity, Iowa, in 1907, the granddaughter of formerly enslaved people. In 1925, she stepped into the University of Iowa's gates—despite the discriminatory ban on Black students in dorms. She balanced earning her master's over 11 years while teaching full-time, eventually creating a course called The Negro in American Life, a precursor to Black Studies. Talk about a pioneering spirit!
Transforming a County's Heritage
After serving at places like West Virginia State, Florida A&M, and Cheyney, Dr. Johnson rose to become dean of women and a department chair. In a noteworthy move, Johnson County booted Richard Mentor Johnson's namesake in 2021 to honor this trailblazer instead. A Kentucky enslaver with no ties to Iowa getting replaced—now that's justice served cold.
The event will also feature a short film on Dr. Johnson directed by her great-niece Sonya Y. Jackson, coupled with live jazz. Heartfelt, historic, and with a measure of soul sounds fitting for a woman who's far more than just a Ph.D.
Reflecting on Her Influence Beyond Academia
Even after her retirement in 1971, Dr. Johnson's legacy overflowed into communities and conversations. She remained a lifelong member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and her story has been carried forward passionately by her great-niece Sonya Y. Jackson. 'Iowa closed a classroom door; her county is opening a plaza.' This riveting narrative serves as a testament to unwavering determination against the headwinds of systemic exclusion.
As the bronze rises, the whole shebang screams of long-overdue reverence, a refusal to let legacy and history crumble undone by bygone prejudices. Her name and life breathe through this dedication, urging folks to ponder how far we've come and how much further there's to go.
