My Story |
I am a proud fifth-generation resident of Henrico County. I grew up in the Fairfield District, where my father, the late Robert N. Johnson, served on the Henrico County Board of Supervisors from 1977 - 1980. This is where the spark of community service and leadership was lit for me, and I consider my time as chief envelope-stuffer for his campaign as my entrée into local government!
I graduated from Henrico High School in 1982, where I met my husband, Derek. We graduated from University of Virginia in '86, married in '89, and settled down in the Brookland District. In 1999 we moved to Tuckahoe District on Canterbury Lake; living on wetlands and having a daily view of wildlife in its natural habitat reinvigorated a lifelong passion for nature and the environment. Our son, now a freshman at VCU, was born in 2003; once he reached school age I became a very active PTA parent. In 2015 I initiated the successful effort to remove the name of a segregationist from what is now Quioccasin Middle School. Advocating for education-related issues offered opportunities for impactful interaction with local government. Advocacy became activism, and soon I was campaigning every year for local, state, and federal candidates - knocking doors, calling, texting, writing postcards - to encourage citizen engagement in the political process. In 2019 I became aware of an upcoming opening on the Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District Board. If you don't know what that is, don't feel bad - I didn't either until I considered running for this elected position! Henricopolis is a subdivision of state government responsible for natural resource conservation, one of 47 Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Virginia and one of nearly 3,000 nationwide. Henricopolis works hand in hand with state, federal, and county agencies and other conservation organizations and community partners to achieve conservation objectives. I was honored to be elected to this county-wide position and have learned a tremendous amount not only about environmental best practices but about local and state governance as well. In this position I have experienced firsthand the county's need for an environmental champion who will support sustainability that balances smart growth with green space conservation, climate planning, and environmental justice.. The most important step we can take for economic development is ensuring that the county continues to be a place where people want to live and work. I hope I can earn your vote for the Tuckahoe District seat on the Henrico County Board of Supervisors! |