Lillie Johnson Explained

Lillie Johnson
Occupation:	nurse
Nationality:	Jamaican Canadian
Birth Date:	16 March 1922
Birth Place:	Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica
Awards:	Order of Canada

Lillie Johnson, (born 16 March 1922) is a Jamaican Canadian nurse and public health advocate.^[1] Recognized as the first Black Director of Public Health in Ontario, Johnson's work focused on advocating for patients with sickle cell disease.^[2]

Born in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, she began her career as an elementary school teacher. At 29 years old, Johnson moved to Edinburgh, Scotland to pursue nursing.^[3] Johnson migrated to Ontario, Canada in 1960 to work as a nurse after practicing in England, Jamaica and America.

In 1981, Johnson founded the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario to provide outreach and advocacy programs not previously available in the region.

Honours

In 2023, she was made an Member of the Order of Canada for her contribution to public health.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Armstrong . Neil . Jamaican-Canadian centenarian named to the Order of Canada . jamaica-gleaner.com . en . 30 December 2023.
2. Web site: Biason . Rebecca . U of T Nursing alum and public health advocate appointed to Order of Canada . Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing . 9 February 2024 . en-CA . 19 January 2024.
3. Web site: Srikanthan . Sinthu . Ferguson . Vanessa . Counter-Storytelling for Social Change - Part 2: Miss Lillie Johnson . The Red Blood Cell Disorders Hub . 9 February 2024 . en-CA.
4. Web site: Office of the Secretary to the Governor Governor . Order of Canada appointees – December 2023 . The Governor General of Canada . 9 February 2024 . 22 December 2023.