[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 38 (Friday, March 15, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MINERVA JOHNICAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 15, 2013

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a champion for the 
rights of women, a leader in her community and a stalwart for Civil 
Rights, Minerva Johnican, who passed away in her hometown of Memphis, 
Tennessee. I was proud to call her my friend and she will be greatly 
missed throughout the City of Memphis.
   Minerva was born in Memphis on November 16, 1938 and was the sixth 
of seven children to John Bruce and Annie B. Johnican. She attended 
Hamilton Elementary and High School and began her college studies at 
Central State College in Ohio before graduating from Tennessee State 
University in 1960.
   After graduating from college, Minerva earned her certificate in 
library science from the University of Memphis in 1965. She served in 
the Memphis City Schools system as a teacher and librarian for a total 
of 18 years, and later, she became the head librarian at Colonial 
Elementary School. She was always active in politics. However, her 
interest crystallized in 1967 when she was driving home from school and 
heard on the radio that a group of ministers were maced while marching 
for the rights of sanitation workers in downtown Memphis. From this 
experience, she became an instrumental member of Citizens on the Move 
for Equality, which advocated for higher wages for sanitation workers. 
In 1971, she founded the Inner City Voter Education Committee that 
helped inner-city 18-year-olds register to vote. During this time, she 
also founded the Volunteer Women's Round Table, which was a coalition 
of women from different racial backgrounds who worked to support women 
in the Democratic Party. Additionally, in a sign of her future 
political aspirations, Minerva worked on Shirley Chisholm's 
presidential campaign.
   Over the next 15 years, Minerva's political accomplishments broke 
several glass ceilings for African-Americans and women. In 1975, 
Minerva became the first woman to serve on the Shelby County Quarterly 
Court, now called the Shelby County Commission, and held this seat for 
two four-year terms. I was honored to work with her on the Board of 
Commissioners and one of our proudest achievements was establishing the 
MED Hospital when others wanted a smaller hospital. In 1983, she became 
the first African-American elected to represent an at-large district on 
the Memphis City Council. As a City Councilwoman, she founded the 
Building Better Bridges for Memphis Task Force, which encouraged 
African-Americans and Caucasians in Memphis to work together on 
community problems. In 1987, Minerva came in second in a six-way race 
for city mayor. Not to be discouraged from public office, in 1990, she 
became the first African-American and the first woman to be elected 
Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk. During her time as County Clerk, 
she automated the Clerk's office and implemented computers to maintain 
records, making it easier and more efficient to serve the needs of 
Memphians and staff. Her vision for improving the County Clerk's Office 
earned three national awards.
   After leaving office in 1994, Minerva worked as a managing loan 
officer at Mid-America Mortgage and transferred her skills into opening 
up her own company, OMO Mortgage Financial Services. Although she no 
longer served in a public office, her passion for public service and 
community involvement continued. She was a vital member and supporter 
of my campaigns in 2006 and 2008 and she served as Co-Campaign Manager 
for Herman Morris's mayoral run. Minerva also served on the board of 
directors for the Mid-South Muscular Dystrophy Association, Mid-South 
Chapter of the ACLU, NAACP, and numerous other organizations.
   Throughout her public and private sector work, Minerva received 
countless recognition for her diligence and commitment to the city of 
Memphis. The Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis honored her with 
the Legends Award in 2009. In addition, she was awarded with the 
Distinguished Leadership Award from the National Conference of 
Christians and Jews, History Makers Award from the National Council of 
Negro Women, and the NAACP Life Membership.
   Sadly, Minerva lost her battle with cancer on Friday, March 8, 2013 
at 74 years of age. She will be remembered as a pioneer for her 
tireless public service at a time when women were not expected to take 
a leading role. Her dedication to improving her community is 
unparalleled. Minerva's passion led her to take risks during an era of 
heightened racial tensions and to encourage people from across racial 
lines to work together for the betterment of the city. Hers was a life 
well-lived. Thank you, Minerva, for coming our way.