Eula Johnson

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]

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

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. 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.
  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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