Parents:
Jacob Wilson 1852–1941
Virginia Watkins 1882–
Spouse: Thomas Johnson
Children: Phillip Johnson
Local NAACP branch board member, key community leader of the FIGHT and Action for a Better Community organizations. Founded the Virginia Wilson Interracial Information & Helping Hands Center. She was instrumental in getting Monroe County to establish a Public Defender's office. Authored a column for the Frederick Douglass Voice newspaper, believing that that by confronting Rochester’s problems, we might solve them. Many of her writings are saved at the Howard Wilson Coles Archive in the Rochester Museum and Science Center.
In the early 1960s the civil rights movement had a great impact on the hopes and aspirations of the non-white community of Rochester. On January 17, 1963, at Baden Street Settlement Agency, an NAACP meeting on police brutality was held. An estimated crowd of between 600 to 800 people attended, and one of the featured speakers was Malcolm X, who electrified the audience.
On February 17, 1963, Mildred, a longtime champion of the poor and dispossessed, addressed a crowd of 600–800 POC at a rally organized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
But the response to many warning discussions, reports and protests failed to activate an arrogant and complacent power structure to address the legitimate complaints.
On Friday evening, July 24, 1964, hell broke loose in the Seventh Ward and a riot ensued. A mob, furious with rage, overwhelmingly outnumbered the police. At 1:15 am, Police Chief William Lombard's car was overturned and set on fire as he narrowly escaped with the aid of community activist Mildred Johnson.
Mildred helped organize the Big Brothers after the riots to socially assist younger people, especially with employment.
Awards/Recognition:
Cited in Newsweek Magazine among “100 Unsung Heroes” in the nation, 1985; Received the Lotus C. Carson Human Rights Award for fighting discrimination, 1991; Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce Social Services Award, 1990; the 36th Annual Rotary Club Award. Her 1980 biography, written by Linda Balkum, was appropriately titled Millie the Hellraiser.
Mildred Johnson Estates are named after her, and consists of 23 single family houses built on vacant lots in the 14621 neighborhood of Rochester.
Jacob Wilson 1852–1941
Virginia Watkins 1882–
Spouse: Thomas Johnson
Children: Phillip Johnson
Local NAACP branch board member, key community leader of the FIGHT and Action for a Better Community organizations. Founded the Virginia Wilson Interracial Information & Helping Hands Center. She was instrumental in getting Monroe County to establish a Public Defender's office. Authored a column for the Frederick Douglass Voice newspaper, believing that that by confronting Rochester’s problems, we might solve them. Many of her writings are saved at the Howard Wilson Coles Archive in the Rochester Museum and Science Center.
In the early 1960s the civil rights movement had a great impact on the hopes and aspirations of the non-white community of Rochester. On January 17, 1963, at Baden Street Settlement Agency, an NAACP meeting on police brutality was held. An estimated crowd of between 600 to 800 people attended, and one of the featured speakers was Malcolm X, who electrified the audience.
On February 17, 1963, Mildred, a longtime champion of the poor and dispossessed, addressed a crowd of 600–800 POC at a rally organized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
But the response to many warning discussions, reports and protests failed to activate an arrogant and complacent power structure to address the legitimate complaints.
On Friday evening, July 24, 1964, hell broke loose in the Seventh Ward and a riot ensued. A mob, furious with rage, overwhelmingly outnumbered the police. At 1:15 am, Police Chief William Lombard's car was overturned and set on fire as he narrowly escaped with the aid of community activist Mildred Johnson.
Mildred helped organize the Big Brothers after the riots to socially assist younger people, especially with employment.
Awards/Recognition:
Cited in Newsweek Magazine among “100 Unsung Heroes” in the nation, 1985; Received the Lotus C. Carson Human Rights Award for fighting discrimination, 1991; Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce Social Services Award, 1990; the 36th Annual Rotary Club Award. Her 1980 biography, written by Linda Balkum, was appropriately titled Millie the Hellraiser.
Mildred Johnson Estates are named after her, and consists of 23 single family houses built on vacant lots in the 14621 neighborhood of Rochester.
Parents:
Jacob Wilson 1852–1941
Virginia Watkins 1882–
Spouse: Thomas Johnson
Children: Phillip Johnson
Local NAACP branch board member, key community leader of the FIGHT and Action for a Better Community organizations. Founded the Virginia Wilson Interracial Information & Helping Hands Center. She was instrumental in getting Monroe County to establish a Public Defender's office. Authored a column for the Frederick Douglass Voice newspaper, believing that that by confronting Rochester’s problems, we might solve them. Many of her writings are saved at the Howard Wilson Coles Archive in the Rochester Museum and Science Center.
In the early 1960s the civil rights movement had a great impact on the hopes and aspirations of the non-white community of Rochester. On January 17, 1963, at Baden Street Settlement Agency, an NAACP meeting on police brutality was held. An estimated crowd of between 600 to 800 people attended, and one of the featured speakers was Malcolm X, who electrified the audience.
On February 17, 1963, Mildred, a longtime champion of the poor and dispossessed, addressed a crowd of 600–800 POC at a rally organized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
But the response to many warning discussions, reports and protests failed to activate an arrogant and complacent power structure to address the legitimate complaints.
On Friday evening, July 24, 1964, hell broke loose in the Seventh Ward and a riot ensued. A mob, furious with rage, overwhelmingly outnumbered the police. At 1:15 am, Police Chief William Lombard's car was overturned and set on fire as he narrowly escaped with the aid of community activist Mildred Johnson.
Mildred helped organize the Big Brothers after the riots to socially assist younger people, especially with employment.
Awards/Recognition:
Cited in Newsweek Magazine among “100 Unsung Heroes” in the nation, 1985; Received the Lotus C. Carson Human Rights Award for fighting discrimination, 1991; Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce Social Services Award, 1990; the 36th Annual Rotary Club Award. Her 1980 biography, written by Linda Balkum, was appropriately titled Millie the Hellraiser.
Mildred Johnson Estates are named after her, and consists of 23 single family houses built on vacant lots in the 14621 neighborhood of Rochester.
Jacob Wilson 1852–1941
Virginia Watkins 1882–
Spouse: Thomas Johnson
Children: Phillip Johnson
Local NAACP branch board member, key community leader of the FIGHT and Action for a Better Community organizations. Founded the Virginia Wilson Interracial Information & Helping Hands Center. She was instrumental in getting Monroe County to establish a Public Defender's office. Authored a column for the Frederick Douglass Voice newspaper, believing that that by confronting Rochester’s problems, we might solve them. Many of her writings are saved at the Howard Wilson Coles Archive in the Rochester Museum and Science Center.
In the early 1960s the civil rights movement had a great impact on the hopes and aspirations of the non-white community of Rochester. On January 17, 1963, at Baden Street Settlement Agency, an NAACP meeting on police brutality was held. An estimated crowd of between 600 to 800 people attended, and one of the featured speakers was Malcolm X, who electrified the audience.
On February 17, 1963, Mildred, a longtime champion of the poor and dispossessed, addressed a crowd of 600–800 POC at a rally organized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
But the response to many warning discussions, reports and protests failed to activate an arrogant and complacent power structure to address the legitimate complaints.
On Friday evening, July 24, 1964, hell broke loose in the Seventh Ward and a riot ensued. A mob, furious with rage, overwhelmingly outnumbered the police. At 1:15 am, Police Chief William Lombard's car was overturned and set on fire as he narrowly escaped with the aid of community activist Mildred Johnson.
Mildred helped organize the Big Brothers after the riots to socially assist younger people, especially with employment.
Awards/Recognition:
Cited in Newsweek Magazine among “100 Unsung Heroes” in the nation, 1985; Received the Lotus C. Carson Human Rights Award for fighting discrimination, 1991; Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce Social Services Award, 1990; the 36th Annual Rotary Club Award. Her 1980 biography, written by Linda Balkum, was appropriately titled Millie the Hellraiser.
Mildred Johnson Estates are named after her, and consists of 23 single family houses built on vacant lots in the 14621 neighborhood of Rochester.
Inscription
Queen Mother of the Community.
Gravesite Details
Grave 1, Lot W.Pt. 37, Section E-2
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