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Wilhelmina Johnson
Wilhelmina Johnson grew up in Luray but moved to Harrisonburg after 9th grade so she could complete her education at Lucy Simms School. After graduating in 1947 she met and married Edgar Johnson. Together they raised 8 children, all of whom went on to compete in athletics at Harrisonburg High School. Two of them, James and Carol Johnson Raymond, are Hall of Famers. James was inducted in 2009 and Carol is being inducted today with her mother as a member of
Contributor the Class of 2013. Mrs. Johnson is the embodiment of a contributor. As a fan she attended every contest in which a Johnson participated from the 1st one in 1966 until she
missed Chris’ volleyball game in Charlottesville in 1994, because she could not get off from her job.
Even after Edgar’s passing in 2003, she continued by supporting 6 of her 19 grandchildren who competed for the Blue Streaks until 2012. But Wilhelmina was far more than a fan – she served athletics as a member of the athletic boosters and as a concessions worker. Perhaps even more important is the way in which she has served the entire Harrisonburg community. Her children entered the Harrisonburg City School system at the time the schools were becoming integrated. Mrs. Johnson was asked to be part of a group to help the city transition to the new situation. Her leadership helped open doors of communication and helped lessen tensions. She served as a role model, not only for her own children but for the young people of her immediate community. She reminded them why they attended school and how to behave while they were there. She expected them to set personal goals, to attend all practices, to be on time and to work toward the best education HHS could offer them. From 1962-1994, Wilhelmina worked as an aide with the Harrisonburg/Rockingham Department of Social Services. This led her to leadership roles in organizations such as the United Way, People Helping People and the Harrisonburg Jaycees among many others. Even today she continues to serve, working with the Merck Christmas Shopping program and the Elks Food Baskets, as well as her church, John Wesley United Methodist Church. Her caring personality has been widely recognized and she has received numerous civic awards, among them the Humanitarian Award from the United Way, the Harriet Tubman Commemorative Leadership Award and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award on two occasions, 1993 and 2008. Mrs. Johnson believes that her family was lucky to have teachers and coaches that directed and motivated her children by serving as excellent role models. She believes they taught her children many life lessons that led to their educational and occupational accomplishments after high school. |