Shirley R. Johnson

Shirley R. Johnson (nee Reinwald), 95, of Oberlin, died Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, at home.
Born July 15, 1917, in Chicago, Ill., she grew up in Chicago and Flushing, N.Y.
Her mother, Agnes Stella Garrity, died in 1918 when Shirley was 14 months old. Her maternal grandmother raised her until she was nearly five years old when her father, Charles A. Reinwald, married Estella Brake.
Upon graduating from Flushing High School in 1935, Shirley enrolled at Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, from which she graduated with an education degree in 1940. During her years at Antioch she and fellow student Douglas R. Johnson met; they married in June, 1940. They became lifelong partners and collaborators for six decades.
In 1947, the Johnsons moved from Yellow Springs to live and work in Oberlin. They adopted two children, Eric Charles and Emily Agnes. As a former teacher at Antioch College's Lab School and its department of education in the early 1940s, Shirley broke barriers in the Oberlin School District after a teacher asked her to attend a school board meeting. Shirley and two newspaper reporters did, opening such meetings from that time on to local citizens and the press.
Her activist participation at these formerly closed meetings, and her timely work behind the scenes, made her a recognized local fighter for public education. Her frequent calls for transparency and fairness became legendary in Oberlin and beyond. While the school superintendents and district board members over many years may have developed a mixed relationship with Shirley R. (as she preferred to be addressed with her middle initial), she maintaned a drive and willingness to do the serious work of ensuring that school officials follow an open process as well as the letter and spirit of Ohio's Sunshine laws.
She also occupied important political space as a citizen at meetings of Oberlin city council. In 1964, Aaron Wildavsky identified Shirley R. and Doug Johnson among the "reputation leaders" of Oberlin in his "Leadership in a Small Town."
Over the span of more than three decades, Shirley R. worked for the Oberlin Schools. Her service began in 1960 as a substitute teacher; it expanded in 1972 to being a learning disabilities tutor. In 1987, she took a full-time position as special learning disabilities teacher. She retired in 1994.
Even in retirement, Shirley R. volunteered her time to the school district and remained active for nearly two more decades as a caring, tireless advocate in promoting the best interests of students and teachers.
When Shirley R. replaced her friend, Doris Gilford, on the Oberlin Public Library board in 1963, she immediately took the lead to open meetings that had been previously held at private venues, including the homes of board members. Shirley R. left the board in 1976, but remained an active force in those affairs by regularly attending meetings over the next four decades.
Shirley R. was a charter member of the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio. Her involvement in civil rights and civil liberties matters dates back to the 1930s. Along with her husband, Douglas, the Johnsons were among the founders of the Oberlin ACLU (later North Central chapter), which had preceded the establishment of ACLU of Ohio.
A fierce champion for public and private rights, most notably the First Amendment rights of free speech and the separation of church and state, Shirley R.'s strong voice on these boards made a difference in the lives of those who held a need.
Her mainstream but feisty commitment to public education, as well as to basic constitutional rights in fair housing, good government, open records, and collective bargaining, resulted in numerous state and local awards including (but not limited to): ACLC of Ohio's Founder's Award, 1977; Oberlin Education Association's (first) Community Service Appreciation Award, 1984; the Oberlin School District's Recognition Award for being a Special Tutor, 1986; the Arthur Morgan Award of the Antioch Alumni Association for her extraordinary commitment to the Oberlin Community, 1991; Oberlin College's Distinguished Community Service Award, 1995; and the Lorain County Commissioners' "Good Citizen" Award (along with her friend Elizabeth Rumics), 2001. The latter was for regular attendance and active participation over many years at weekly commissioner meetings.
Growing up in a middle-class family during the Great Depression with a father as a lawyer left an impression on this bright and thoughtful teenager and young adult. A progressive New York City and its culture served as an important backdrop and so had her liberal co-op education from Antioch College. The record of this "quintessential citizen activist," who effectively participated in and contributed to community affairs for 65 years, illuminates the meaning of community.
Shirley R.'s friends in Oberlin and beyond will remember her for the high value she placed on making and keeping friends, and for the way she publicly defended the First Amendment rights she held dear.
"She inspired her community, kept Oberlin's elected and appointed officials on their toes and (she) never wavered from the fight" said ACLU Ohio executive director Chris Link.
She is survived by two children, Eric C. Johnson (Rick) of Sleepy Hollow, Ill., and Emily Agnes Johnson of Oberlin; a granddaughter, Sara Sola Mae Johnson; and several nieces and nephews of both Douglas and Shirley.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and by husband Douglas R. Johnson in 2009.
There will be no memorial service. Shirley R.'s body has been donated to Case Western Medical School.
Condolences can be sent to the family at JohnsonFamilyOberlin@yahoo.com.
In lieu of memorial contributions, Shirley R. suggests that you attend and participate in a public meeting in her memory.