Harriet McBryde Johnson dies
By Prentiss Findlay
The Post and Courier
Harriet McBryde Johnson drew national attention for her opposition to 'the charity mentality.'
High Profile
Harriet McBryde Johnson, a tenacious, well-known Charleston disability and civil rights attorney, died suddenly Wednesday. She was 50.
"She worked (Tuesday). It's a shock to everybody," said friend and attorney Susan Dunn.
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal said Johnson was a fierce advocate for the disabled, a nationally revered attorney and a titanic figure in state legal history. "My heart was broken when I heard the news. I just wept. The world is a poorer place," Toal said. Johnson was remarkable because despite her disability, she regularly reached out to help and mentor other lawyers, Toal said.
Mayor Joe Riley described Johnson, who suffered from a congenital neuromuscular disease, as one of the most remarkable people he had ever known. She led a model life of achievement, he said. "She was so courageous in that she so quietly and humbly without any fanfare refused to allow her disability to prevent her from using her intellect," Riley said.
As an attorney, she mostly handled benefits and civil rights claims for poor and working people with disabilities. One of her clients and longtime friends was Dot Scott, a fellow civil rights activist and president of the Charleston branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
"I remember her very warmly. She had a keen sense of humor. She was so caring. She was no nonsense. She was just passionate about the issues surrounding disabilities," Scott said.
Johnson's father, David D. Johnson, said he spoke with Johnson by phone at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. "I'm a little stunned right now. I don't know what happened. I'm just in mourning," he said.
Johnson died in her sleep, he said. A private memorial service will be held in about six months. There will be no funeral, he said.
In her 2005 memoir, "Too Late to Die Young," she said it was the Jerry Lewis muscular dystrophy telethon that sent her the message, for the first time, that her neuromusclular disease would kill her. As a result, she began living her childhood in tiny increments, marking time with thoughts such as, "When I die, I might as well die a kindergartner."
Johnson drew national attention for her opposition to "the charity mentality" and "pity-based tactics" of the annual Lewis muscular dystrophy telethon. She protested the telethon for nearly 20 years.
"Jerry Lewis and the Muscular Dystrophy Association are sorry to hear about the passing of Ms. Johnson, an accomplished woman and an advocate for the disabled community. We offer her family our sincere condolences," said Roxan Triolo Olivas, assistant director of public information for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Johnson, who resided at 23 Montagu St., described herself as a disabled, liberal, atheistic Democrat. "I'm really amazed at what I can get away with. Charleston is very tolerant of what it sees as eccentricity," she said.
She loved to zoom around the city streets in her power wheelchair.
She was known for being blunt, opinionated and smart. She called it her "argumentative nature." She sparred with Princeton University's famous and controversial bioethicist, Peter Singer, in a cover story for the New York Times Magazine.
She was born July 8, 1957, and had been a Charleston resident since age 10.
She 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 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.
In addition to her father, survivors include her mother, Ada A. Johnson, and her siblings, Elizabeth Ross Johnson, David McBryde Johnson, Eric Austin Johnson and Ross L. Johnson.
Reach Prentiss Findlay at pfindlay@postandcourier.com or 937-5711.
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geekguy2008 (anonymous) says...
Interesting that she was an atheist.
June 5, 2008 at 5:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beth1070 (anonymous) says...
How sad that she was an atheist.
June 5, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SummerGirl (anonymous) says...
On the contrary, it is wonderful that such a well-loved, respected lady lived her life without superstition. My condolences to her family and friends.
June 5, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
squeak (anonymous) says...
Great article, Prentiss!!!
Harriet was an amazing human being who worked and lived far beyond other's expectations of her.
And please, don't pity her for being an athiest! Would you be saying the same thing if she were a Jew? "Oh. . .so sad she was a Jew. . .didn't have Christ in her life. . ." No. You wouldn't. At least not out loud. She had beliefs and she lived by them. She lived a great life. Your opinion of her lack of a belief in a diety of which she witnessed no earthly proof of isn't anything that can take away from her accomplishments.
June 5, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nabby45 (anonymous) says...
Wow. This is hard to believe. I just spoke with Ms. Johnson last month about some disability issues that I personally am going through. She gave me some great advise and the courage to continue in my disability issues.
Charleston and South Carolina will truely miss her. What a powerful and strong woman she was.
My thoughts and prayers go out to her friends and family,
Sherron Driggers Inabinett
Yulee, FL
June 5, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekguy2008 (anonymous) says...
Jews believe in a higher power, as do most religions.
She was an atheist, squeak. May God have mercy on her soul.
June 5, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
I respect her views against the MDA Telethon. We have to ask what is the amount of the MDA donated dollar that goes directly to the people in need and cure development versus the government doing it. Government's doing all the taking care of everything instills a neutral charity assistance mindset seen in lower tallies in all sorts of donations. For example, why should I donate cans of soup when EBT is here? Are families being interviewed on the telethon wrong for giving testimonials on how the MDA has helped? Did Harriet feel it was all government's duty to to the job? I do not fundamentally oppose government providing care for the handicapped and neuromuscularly disabled and I do not oppose charitable giving even if pity is involved. RIP Harriet
June 5, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DenmarkVesey1822 (anonymous) says...
You people who criticize her for being an atheist might want to look at
Albert Einstein
John Adams
Kurt Vonnegut
Mark Twain
Thomas Edison
William Howard Taft....
Wait, I'm actaully asking you to be logical. Big mistake around some of these parts.
June 5, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bflosue (anonymous) says...
Goodbye Harriet. You will be missed.
Sue
Atheist and proud of it!
June 5, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SuzieQJones (anonymous) says...
Such a loss to Charleston and the world. Condolences.
June 5, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beth1070 (anonymous) says...
I was not in the least bit critical of her beliefs (or the lack of), I simply said that I think it's sad that she was an atheist. In fact I feel very sad for all atheists and agnostics. I'm not judging them, not being critical of them, I just feel sad for them, that's all. I also never said that I am a Christian, or Jewish, or Muslim, or Hindu, or any other religious affiliation. I simply said that I feel sad that she was an atheist.
June 5, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rosie (anonymous) says...
Those who would pity Ms. Johnson for her disability or her beliefs need to examine their own souls. She does not need your pity. She was a beautiful, intelligent, strong woman who taught me to ignore the bigotry of others, to live strong, to demonstrate wit and humor, and to face life with dignity and respect for others.
June 5, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
I had know Harriet since the late 1980's. She will be missed by many.
June 5, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DenmarkVesey1822 (anonymous) says...
RIP to Ms Johnson!
Beth, get a clue.
June 5, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
candygirl (anonymous) says...
RIP Harriet,I'm glad I had the pleasure of meeting her, I found her to be an amazing person.
She will be missed.
June 5, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realdealsummerville (anonymous) says...
she was a real inspiration. rip.
June 5, 2008 at 10:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
duane774 (anonymous) says...
Beth1070- to bad she was an Athiest)
I am Spiritual: in that I believe in God. I live my life 'as-best-I-can' doing Gods Will. I pray daily, for others mostly and sometimes for myself when I feel in need, which isn't often because the Lord blesses me so much that I am in awe of his blessings. I understand that this was a good woman, a great woman with a love for living life and the courage to face in head on in light of her overwhelming odds. "SHE" was a child of God more so than "you". She "LIVED". You are just a false, blasphemous, disciple of Satan in disguise. It's "fake" suppose-to-be Christians like you who sole purpose is to continually 'judge' other people and 'chase' others from the love of God with you finger pointing 'sinner's' scream. You don't love or serve God's interest or purpose. People like you are here to chase Souls 'away from God. "You" if anyone, is lost from God by your very judgment. It's "Phony/Fake" people like you who give religion a bad name.
God did and still love this beautiful woman. God bless her "everyone" will miss her.
June 5, 2008 at 11:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
merrillthinks (anonymous) says...
This woman taught me about body acceptance. An incredible gift.
June 6, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mal_in_MA (anonymous) says...
Harriet, in her very active and full life, has done much for persons with disabilities, as well as contributing to the betterment of Charleston.
This is not a forum for religious discussion but rather a place to express our RESPECT and condolences for a great woman and leader that will be greatly missed.
June 8, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dma44 (anonymous) says...
Harriet was a true leader, and her death is a loss for all of us, disabled or not. This world is truly a better place because of her. RIP, Harriet...
Some of Ms. Johnson's writings:
Unspeakable Conversations in The New York Times, February 16, 2003 - The magazine cover story featuring her debate with Peter Singer on disability and personhood.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage...
The Disability Gulag in the NYT, November 23, 2003 - On escaping the institutionalization that threatens so many disabled people.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage...
Overlooked in the Shadows in the Washington Post, March 25, 2005 - Harriet on Terri Schiavo. (Same article also published at Slate and in audio at NPR)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...
Wheelchair Unbound in the NYT, April 23, 2006 - Johnson writes about speaking at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/23/mag...
Friends of Johnson have created this website dedicated to her life and memory. http://www.cripcommentary.com/harriet/
June 9, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
manoeuvre (anonymous) says...
Too bad she was not just like me? GRACIOUS!, People, get a grip!
Harriet McBryde Johnson was a most awesome individual who made tremendous contributions to society by insisting that people living with disability (and everyone in fact) should have EXACTLY the same rights. She was an amazing human being with a spectacular intelect and powerful debating skills. She helped shape the disability movement and inspired thousands if not hundreds of thousands of individuals living with disabilities and other populations that are discrimminated against.
A civil rights hero of the first degree who dedicated her life to helping others help themselves. She will be dearly missed but her work will not be soon forgotten.
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
-- Dylan Thomas
Rest In Peace Harriet McBryde Johnson
August 14, 2008 at 9:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Claudine (anonymous) says...
I just finished reading "too late to die young" last night, and wanted to send an e-mail to Harriet today; what a shock to read that she died a few months ago. She was a wonderful person, with a resilient, tough spirit, and I am sure she will be missed in this world.
I established a foundation and club for people who have suffered strokes and/or aphasia in Hungary - because of family connections - and I go there every year from Toronto, Canada, to work with our members on a volunteer basis. I am always looking of inspirational stories about people like Harriet. I will be sure to tell our members and their families and friends about Harriet. She is an example of what can be accomplished with a lot of fortitude and patience.
October 26, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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