Meleesa Johnson, of Steven's Point, through their work affecting social change to increase gender equality, is an illustrative example of the Centennial Committee’s goal to highlight women who inspire us. Johnson currently serves as both the Portage County Supervisor and as Steven's Point City Council President. Johnson is one of the LWVWI's nominees for "Women Who Inspire."
At the young age of 13, Johnson led a group of students from her junior high school in a freedom march against the Vietnam War. Now in 2020, she is a community leader serving on the Portage County Board of Supervisors and the President of the Steven’s Point City Council. In these roles, she led a campaign to save the Portage County Health Care Center, championed an effort to get a fair maps referendum on the April 2020 ballot - which passed overwhelmingly with 74.9 percent of the vote - and fought for a Diversity Committee to address institutionalized racism, misogyny and bigotry. Above all else, Johnson has used the lessons of her life to mentor young women entering professions traditionally dominated by men.
Never let someone tell you that you are not good enough. Never let failure define you, but rather let it guide you to better solutions.
To learn more about Meleesa Johnson’s inspiring life and work fighting for political and social change, click here.
