Johnson was the first African American woman to serve in the Delaware General Assembly. She supported legislation to integrate racially the Delaware State Police and provide childcare and healthcare to pregnant and unwed teenagers, distribution of federal food stamps to low-income citizens, financial assistance to senior citizen organizations, renovations to public schools, and community-based social services.[3]
Johnson championed the Southbridge Medical Activity Center in Wilmington, Delaware. The first privately funded community health center for low-income patients in Delaware, the facility was renamed the Henrietta R. Johnson Community Center in her honor in 1980.[6] It was renamed to the Henrietta R. Johnson Medical Center ten years later[2] and continues to exist as a fully fledged medical and dental community health center.[6]
Born Henrietta Richardson, Johnson was married to Johnnie B. Johnson until their divorce. She died of unspecified natural causes at Christiana Hospital in Wilmington on October 21, 1997, at the age of 83.[1][5] She was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women in 1998.[3]
^ abMerriweather, James (October 23, 1997). "Henrietta Johnson dies at 83: She was first black woman to serve in Del. General Assembly". The News Journal. pp. B1.
