Political Trailblazer Eddie Bernice Johnson Passes Away at 88

Eddie Bernice Johnson, a pioneering African American Democratic leader who had a distinguished 30-year career in Congress, has passed away at the age of 88, according to her son’s announcement on social media. Johnson, born in Waco, Texas, in 1935, initially pursued a career in nursing before making history as the first Black woman to represent Dallas in the state Senate since the Reconstruction era. Her political journey began in the 1960s, sparked by a discriminatory incident at a local store, which led her to organize a boycott. Johnson ascended to Congress in 1992 and went on to become the first African American woman to chair the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. In 2021, she declared that she would not seek re-election in 2022. The news of her passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from local politicians and former congressional colleagues, recognizing her as a groundbreaking leader and a dedicated public servant. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett both expressed their profound sense of loss, while fellow representatives Marc Veasey and Lisa Blunt Rochester spoke of Johnson's enduring impact on leadership and mentorship. Representative James Clyburn also shared his heartfelt sentiments, describing Johnson as a valued colleague and dear friend.