Dame Doris Johnson (1921-1983) was recently posthumously honoured, in the 50th anniversary—2023 Independence National Honours—with the distinguished Order of National Hero.
Few today however, can truly appreciate the journey of Doris Johnson, who grew up impoverished, in a racially segregated Bahamas.
Johnson went from a loner little girl, who studied her school books as her path to freedom, to an incredibly accomplished woman—as fate would have it—helping to turn the tide of Bahamian history.
Dame Doris… we salute you!
Doris, a loner who preferred her school books
Dame Doris’s government scholarship was abruptly cancelled because of her advocacy for the rights of Bahamian women to vote.
First Bahamian woman to achieve a doctorate in Education
Making political history in 1959…
In 1959, Dr. Doris Johnson became the first woman in Bahamian history to address the Bahamas Legislature.
This, single historic act alone, credited Dr. Doris Johnson as being the founder of the Bahamian Suffrage Movement for Women.
In 1961, advocating the vote for Bahamian women, Dr. Doris Johnson led a delegation to London. Traveling with her were, Mrs. Ugenia Lockhart and Mr. Henry Milton Taylor (a founding member of the Progressive Liberal Party).
A life of service dedicated to the advancement of Bahamians in The Bahamas
Dame Doris Johnson … a national hero… a grateful nation thanks you for your service!
