South Carolina Senate resolution honors Harriet McBryde Johnson

From the South Carolina Senate:

A SENATE RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE UPON THE DEATH OF HARRIET MCBRYDE JOHNSON OF CHARLESTON AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Harriet McBryde Johnson, who died suddenly on Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at the age of 50; and

Whereas, Ms. Johnson, who was born with a neuromuscular disease, was a tenacious, well‑known Charleston disability and civil rights attorney with an articulate voice for the humanity of people with disabilities; and

Whereas, Ms. Johnson received a Bachelor of Science degree in History and a Master’s degree in Public Administration, both with perfect 4.0 grade point averages, and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of South Carolina; and

Whereas, while in law school, Ms. Johnson was Executive Editor of the Law Review, a third‑year moot court finalist, and received American Jurisprudence awards in three subjects, as well as including being selected as Outstanding Senior by her classmates (Claud N. Sapp Award); and

Whereas, upon graduation from law school, Ms. Johnson was first employed as an associate for the same firm she had worked as a paralegal and later, she opened her own law practice focusing on social security disability, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and employment law; and

Whereas, Ms. Johnson also was a certified mediator and served as an assistant corporation counsel to the City of Charleston for ten years while in her solo practice; and

Whereas, as an attorney, Ms. Johnson mostly handled benefits and civil rights claims for poor and working people with disabilities; and

Whereas, Ms. McBryde was the author of “Accidents of Nature,” “Too Late to Die Young: Nearly Trule Tales from a Life,” “Stairway to Justice: An Overlooked Civil Rights Landmark” in the New York Times magazine, “The Disability Gulag” in the New York Times magazine, and numerous other articles; and

Whereas, Ms. Johnson was Chairwoman of the Charleston County Democratic Party Executive Committee (1988‑2001); City Party Chair (1995‑2000); Secretary of City Party (1989‑95); National Convention delegate (1996); President, Charleston County Democratic Women (1989‑91); County Council candidate (1994); and a certified poll manager. She was also a member of the Board of Directors of Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities and served on the Steering Committee of the National Lawyer’s Guild; and

Whereas, Ms. Johnson received numerous honors and awards including the Jean Galloway Bissell Award (2005); the Ernie Goodman Award, National Lawyers Guild (2004); the Justice for All Award, American Association of People with Disabilities (2004); the Sobata Lecturer, Albany (N.Y.) Law School (2004); Thunder & Lightning Award, S.C. Progressive Network (2004); Person of the Year, New Mobility Magazine (2004); S.C. Fiction Competition (2003 and 1999); Women of Power and Grace, The (Charleston, S.C.) Chronicle (2002); Squeaky Wheel, S.C. Independent Living Council (2001); and the Spencer Award, P&A for People with Disabilities (S.C.) (1991); and

Whereas, she was born in Laurinburg, North Carolina on July 8, 1957, and was one of five children of college professors, David and Ada Johnson; and

Whereas, Ms. Johnson had been a Charleston resident since age 10 and survivors include her father, David D. Johnson, mother, Ada A. Johnson, and her siblings, Elizabeth Ross Johnson, David McBryde Johnson, Eric Austin Johnson, and Ross L. Johnson. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the death of Harriet McBryde Johnson and extend their deepest sympathy to her family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the family of Harriet McBryde Johnson.