Beth Johnson (Florida politician)
American politician (1909–1973)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Elizabeth McCullough Johnson (November 21, 1909 – 1973) was an American politician. She served as a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate for nearly a decade.[1] Johnson became the first female state senator in Florida history upon her election in 1962.[2] She had previously become the second woman elected to the Florida House, when she was chosen to represent Orange County in 1958.[3][note 1]
Beth Johnson | |
|---|---|
c. 1965 | |
| Member of the Florida Senate from the 19th district | |
| In office 1962–1967 | |
| Preceded by | John A. Sutton |
| Succeeded by | Bill Young |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from Orange County | |
| In office 1959–1962 | |
| Preceded by | John A. Sutton |
| Succeeded by | Robert H. Elrod |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 November 1909 Butler, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | 1973 (aged 63–64) Florida, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Occupation | Politician |
Johnson was a leading advocate, along with former State Senate President William A. Shands, for the establishment of the University of Central Florida in 1963.[4] She considered it, along with the creation of a statewide planning and zoning system, as her chief legislative accomplishments.[1] Johnson was a member of the League of Women Voters, and was posthumously inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame in 1986.[5][6]
Senator Beth Johnson Park, a 1.26-acre (0.51-hectare) urban park located near Lake Ivanhoe in Orlando, is named in her honor.
