Page 5 - CALIFORNIA WOMAN - WINTER EDITION 2022

In memory of

Nan JOHNSON

January 12, 1930 — November 25, 2022

A LEGACY

Our 21st Century has lost a dedicated Suffragist, Feminist, Advocate, Legislator and a truly
amazing woman!
NAN JOHNSON was a member of Hollywood Business Professional Women, Valley Sunset
District, California Federation, National and International Federations. It is my privilege to share
some personal memories of Nan and our experiences when she became a California resident.

However, we learn some interesting facts about Nan.
Nan was born in Pittsburgh PA and her parents Vernon Eugene "Hefty” Heffelfinger and
Kathryn Reed Heffelfinger named their daughter Nancy Jean. Public spiritedness came naturally to
Nan. She studied Political Science at Barnard College and was chosen president of her senior
class. Then she went to Cornell Law Schools for a year and decided to begin work as a child wel-
fare advocate while pursuing her Master's degree in Political Science at the University of Roches-
ter, where she became an adjunct professor in the Political Science Department and in 1995,
founding director of the university's SUSAN B. ANTHONY Center. Anthony was one of the guiding
lights of the early women's rights movement. Under Nan's leadership, the center developed its
mission to translate research into policies that advance social justice and equality. At the Univer-
sity, she also met her husband, a professor in English Literature....named Bill Johnson. They were
married for 65 years.

This busy advocate then turned to the Monroe County New York legislature in 1975 and
served there for 20 years. She was the first woman and first Democrat chosen to be the majority
leader of the legislative body. She was a role model and mentor to many. In 1998 she co-chaired
Forum 98, a gathering of academics, policy makers and feminist activists, marking the 150th anni-
versary of the first U.S. women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, NY in July 1848 which was at-
tended by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Frederick Douglass. She was instrumental in furthering the
ambition of the Women's Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls.

Nan and Bill retired and moved to North Carolina and designed their dream home, enjoyed
watching the sunsets and resting. Miranda and Reed, their children, wanted to see them more of-
ten...They lived in California with great professional occupations. So to another journey to Pasa-
dena, CA and to Villa Gardens, a Retirement community, in 2017. Nan was immediately involved
in many new adventures. She managed to bring women together and work on issues we face. With
hope for the women and society overall.
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