Eula Johnson

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Eula Johnson
Born
Eula Mae Gandy Johnson
Occupationactivist
Known forFort Lauderdale NAACP leader
HonorsDr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park

Eula Mae Gandy Johnson[1] (1906–2001) was an American activist in the civil rights movement. She is known for her work to end Jim Crow segregation in public beaches, schools, restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.[2] She was considered by many to be the "Rosa Parks of Fort Lauderdale."[3][4]

In 1959, she became the first woman president of the Fort Lauderdale NAACP.[5] In her capacity as president, she filed several lawsuits against public schools to seek equality for black students, as well as fought against separation in public spaces like drive-in theaters.[6] Part of her activism work resulted in the end of segregation at Broward County beaches. Johnson, along with Dr. Von D. Mizell and several NAACP members, organized “wade-ins” at the white only beaches in 1961. The city of Fort Lauderdale sued Johnson for being a public nuisance.[7] After a judge refused the city's request to put a halt to the wade-ins, Broward County beaches became desegregated in 1962.[8]

Johnson died in January 2001 at the age of 94.[1]

In 2011, her house, at 1100 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, became Fort Lauderdale/Broward Branch NAACP headquarters as well as a museum and welcome center for the historic Sistrunk Corridor.[9]

Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Hollywood, Florida is named after her and fellow civil rights activist Dr. Von Mizell.[10]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Toni Marshall; Gregory Lewis (February 20, 2004). "BLAZING A PATH". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  2. ^ Spencer, DeShuna (Summer 2008). "Fort Lauderdale NAACP Opens Museum to Honor Civil Rights Activist". The Crisis. 115 (3): 49. ProQuest 199794059.
  3. ^ Roby, Cynthia (2012). "EULA JOHNSON ARRIVED, Jim Crow had to go". South Florida Times.
  4. ^ Wyman, Scott (March 9, 2011). "LAUDERDALE HONORS RIGHTS TRAILBLAZER SISTRUNK BLVD. HOME OF EULA JOHNSON WILL BECOME MUSEUM". South Florida Sun - Sentinel.
  5. ^ Beatty, About the Author Robert (2012-01-16). "Eula Johnson arrived, Jim Crow had to go". South Florida Times. Retrieved 2019-03-17. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  6. ^ Nolin, Robert (June 11, 2015). "2 black activists fought to end segregation". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  7. ^ Wyman, Scott (16 Mar 2011). "Fort Lauderdale honors civil rights pioneer". Miami Times.
  8. ^ Beatty, Robert (February 12, 2009). "BROWARD COUNTY TO COMMEMORATE "THE COLORED BEACH"". South Florida Times. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  9. ^ Beatty, Robert (July 7, 2011). "Home of Civil Rights Pioneere Dedicated as a Museum". SouthFlorida Times.
  10. ^ Sweeney, Anne Geggis, Dan. "John U. Lloyd State Park renamed for civil rights activists". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved 2019-03-17.

Further reading[]

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