Hazel Winifred Johnson-Brown (October 10, 1927 – August 5, 2011)[1][2] was a nurse and educator who served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1983. In 1979, she became the first Black female general in the United States Army and the first Black chief of the United States Army Nurse Corps.[3] She was also the Director of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing.[4]
Hazel Winifred Johnson was born on October 10, 1927 in West Chester, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Clarence L. Johnson Sr. and Garnett Henley Johnson. Johnson was one of seven children, she had four brothers and two sisters.[5] Her parents were farmers who made a living from livestock and selling fruits and vegetables.
As a child Johnson attended East Whiteland Elementary School with her siblings. She later attended Tredyffrin-Easttown Junior Senior High School, where she was considered an exceptional student.[5]
At the age of 12, Johnson wanted to become a nurse.[6] Johnson applied and was denied admission to Chester County Hospital School of Nursing for being black. She then moved to New York City to attend the Harlem School of Nursing in 1947. Johnson's nursing career started at the Harlem Hospital emergency ward as a beginning level staff nurse.[5]
Women's US Army Service uniform worn by Brigadier General Hazel Johnson-Brown
Military career
Hazel Johnson-Brown enlisted in the United States Army in 1955, seven years after President Harry Truman eliminated segregation in the military. Johnson-Brown's obituary states she rose "in the ranks as she impressed her superiors with her skill in the operating room". She was a talented surgeon who took assignments across the world, including Asia. Johnson-Brown served in Japan, and trained nurses on their way to Vietnam. She was assigned to go to Vietnam as well, but fell ill. The unit was attacked shortly after arriving in Vietnam and the nurse who took Johnson-Brown's place was killed in the surprise attack along with numerous others of the group.[5] In 1977 Johnson-Brown was mentioned in the magazine Ebony, where referred to her as "one of the real 'heavies' in her field". The magazine also anticipated Johnson-Brown to become "the first black woman general".[5]
Twenty-four years later she made history when she was promoted to brigadier general. With this promotion she took charge of 7,000 nurses in the Army Nurse Corps; the first black woman to hold the post. During Johnson-Brown's promotion she was quoted saying "Race is an incidence of birth" then furthering this by saying "I hope the criterion for selection did not include race but competence". She obtained a degree in nursing from Villanova, and a masters in teaching from Columbia. Her career was distinguished she won many a medal, including the Army Distinguished Service Medal, and was awarded army nurse of the year twice. She was also awarded a Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.[7]
Post-military career
After Johnson-Brown retired from the army in 1983 she headed the American Nurses Association's government relations unit as well as directed the George Mason University's Center for Health Policy as an assistant professor and later a professor on her own.[8] A key to Johnson-Brown's success was driven by her immense well-rounded personality as well as her intellect. Johnson-Brown treated everyone the same and demanded that in return.[5] "She recalled going with her mother to a hot dog stand in Philadelphia. Several times the waitress walked past them to serve white customers first. When the waitress finally delivered their order, Gen. Johnson-Brown turned it away. 'Now you eat it,' she told the waitress. To her mother she said, 'Let's go.'" In an interview she stated that she was never a "quiet dissenter" when it came to slights she suffered as a black woman, inside uniform and outside as well.[8] She "always was a people person," her sister Gloria Smith remarks.[5] Johnson-Brown's marriage to David Brown ended in divorce without children. Johnson-Brown developed Alzheimer's disease in later life.[9]
In 1990, during Operation Desert Storm, Johnson-Brown volunteered to work in the surgical suite at Fort Belvoir, Virginia's Army Hospital.[8] Johnson-Brown spent her last remaining years with her sister, Gloria Smith, in Wilmington, Delaware.[8]
Personal life and legacy
In 1981, Johnson married David Brown. She added on his name to hers and was known from then on as Hazel Johnson-Brown. However, their marriage did not last and they eventually divorced.
Johnson-Brown was a Catholic, a member of St. Clare in Clifton, Virginia (where her funeral Mass was held).[10]
Johnson-Brown died in Wilmington, Delaware, on August 5, 2011 at the age of 83. She was while en route to the hospital; after her arrival, it was realized that the cause of Johnson-Brown's death was Alzheimer's disease. She was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
When remembering Johnson-Brown, Army Nurse Corps historian Lieutenant Colonel Nancy Cantrell explained that "Brigadier General Hazel Johnson-Brown was remarkable in that she commanded during a transitional period for the Army Nurse Corps and led with dignity and style; she was considered a great leader of the Corps and was well respected and loved".[5]
^Lukens, Rob (2012-06-28). "History's People: Hazel Johnson-Brown, First Female Black General". Chester County Historical Society. Retrieved 2021-02-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^. National Coalition of 100 Black Women. Archived from the original on March 14, 2003.
^"Hazel W. Johnson (1927–2011) | African American Almanac – Credo Reference". search.credoreference.com. Retrieved 2018-01-15.
External links
7 Facts About Brigadier General Hazel W. Johnson-Brown
“In Memory Of..” ABNF Journal, vol. 22, no. 4, Fall 2011, p. 83. EBSCOhost
January 14, 2023
hazel, johnson, brown, hazel, winifred, johnson, brown, october, 1927, august, 2011, nurse, educator, served, united, states, army, from, 1955, 1983, 1979, became, first, black, female, general, united, states, army, first, black, chief, united, states, army, . Hazel Winifred Johnson Brown October 10 1927 August 5 2011 1 2 was a nurse and educator who served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1983 In 1979 she became the first Black female general in the United States Army and the first Black chief of the United States Army Nurse Corps 3 She was also the Director of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing 4 Hazel Johnson BrownJohnson Brown as a brigadier general circa 1979Born 1927 10 10 October 10 1927West Chester PennsylvaniaDiedAugust 5 2011 2011 08 05 aged 83 Wilmington DelawareBuriedArlington National CemeteryAllegianceUnited StatesService wbr branchUnited States ArmyYears of service1955 1983RankBrigadier GeneralCommands heldUnited States Army Nurse CorpsAwardsArmy Distinguished Service MedalLegion of MeritMeritorious Service MedalArmy Commendation Medal 2 Contents 1 Early life 2 Military career 3 Post military career 4 Personal life and legacy 5 Honors 6 References 7 External linksEarly life EditHazel Winifred Johnson was born on October 10 1927 in West Chester Pennsylvania She was the daughter of Clarence L Johnson Sr and Garnett Henley Johnson Johnson was one of seven children she had four brothers and two sisters 5 Her parents were farmers who made a living from livestock and selling fruits and vegetables As a child Johnson attended East Whiteland Elementary School with her siblings She later attended Tredyffrin Easttown Junior Senior High School where she was considered an exceptional student 5 At the age of 12 Johnson wanted to become a nurse 6 Johnson applied and was denied admission to Chester County Hospital School of Nursing for being black She then moved to New York City to attend the Harlem School of Nursing in 1947 Johnson s nursing career started at the Harlem Hospital emergency ward as a beginning level staff nurse 5 Women s US Army Service uniform worn by Brigadier General Hazel Johnson BrownMilitary career EditHazel Johnson Brown enlisted in the United States Army in 1955 seven years after President Harry Truman eliminated segregation in the military Johnson Brown s obituary states she rose in the ranks as she impressed her superiors with her skill in the operating room She was a talented surgeon who took assignments across the world including Asia Johnson Brown served in Japan and trained nurses on their way to Vietnam She was assigned to go to Vietnam as well but fell ill The unit was attacked shortly after arriving in Vietnam and the nurse who took Johnson Brown s place was killed in the surprise attack along with numerous others of the group 5 In 1977 Johnson Brown was mentioned in the magazine Ebony where referred to her as one of the real heavies in her field The magazine also anticipated Johnson Brown to become the first black woman general 5 Twenty four years later she made history when she was promoted to brigadier general With this promotion she took charge of 7 000 nurses in the Army Nurse Corps the first black woman to hold the post During Johnson Brown s promotion she was quoted saying Race is an incidence of birth then furthering this by saying I hope the criterion for selection did not include race but competence She obtained a degree in nursing from Villanova and a masters in teaching from Columbia Her career was distinguished she won many a medal including the Army Distinguished Service Medal and was awarded army nurse of the year twice She was also awarded a Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster 7 Post military career EditAfter Johnson Brown retired from the army in 1983 she headed the American Nurses Association s government relations unit as well as directed the George Mason University s Center for Health Policy as an assistant professor and later a professor on her own 8 A key to Johnson Brown s success was driven by her immense well rounded personality as well as her intellect Johnson Brown treated everyone the same and demanded that in return 5 She recalled going with her mother to a hot dog stand in Philadelphia Several times the waitress walked past them to serve white customers first When the waitress finally delivered their order Gen Johnson Brown turned it away Now you eat it she told the waitress To her mother she said Let s go In an interview she stated that she was never a quiet dissenter when it came to slights she suffered as a black woman inside uniform and outside as well 8 She always was a people person her sister Gloria Smith remarks 5 Johnson Brown s marriage to David Brown ended in divorce without children Johnson Brown developed Alzheimer s disease in later life 9 In 1990 during Operation Desert Storm Johnson Brown volunteered to work in the surgical suite at Fort Belvoir Virginia s Army Hospital 8 Johnson Brown spent her last remaining years with her sister Gloria Smith in Wilmington Delaware 8 Personal life and legacy EditIn 1981 Johnson married David Brown She added on his name to hers and was known from then on as Hazel Johnson Brown However their marriage did not last and they eventually divorced Johnson Brown was a Catholic a member of St Clare in Clifton Virginia where her funeral Mass was held 10 Johnson Brown died in Wilmington Delaware on August 5 2011 at the age of 83 She was while en route to the hospital after her arrival it was realized that the cause of Johnson Brown s death was Alzheimer s disease She was buried at Arlington National Cemetery When remembering Johnson Brown Army Nurse Corps historian Lieutenant Colonel Nancy Cantrell explained that Brigadier General Hazel Johnson Brown was remarkable in that she commanded during a transitional period for the Army Nurse Corps and led with dignity and style she was considered a great leader of the Corps and was well respected and loved 5 Honors EditCandace Award Health National Coalition of 100 Black Women 1984 11 Honorary degree Long Island University 1997 12 References Edit Hazel Johnson Obituary Legacy org Hazel Johnson Brown Remembered CareerSchoolAdvisor com Archived from the original on 2017 11 07 Retrieved 2011 08 22 Hazel Johnson answers com Retrieved 3 July 2011 Famous Nurses www nursing school org Retrieved 3 July 2011 a b c d e f g h Lukens Rob History s People Hazel Johnson Brown First Female Black General Chester County Historical Society Accessed June 28 2012 Brieske John Profile of a Famous Nurse Hazel Johnson Brown AJC Atlanta News Now 14 Sept 2011 https www ajc com business profile famous nurse hazel johnson brown xZrYyA5zd3hvwcvXyaAw4K Hazel W Johnson 1927 2011 African American Almanac Credo Reference search credoreference com Retrieved 2018 01 15 a b c d Brig Gen Hazel Johnson Brown n d In Army Women s Foundation Retrieved from https www awfdn org trailblazers brig gen hazel johnson brown Works Cited America s first Black woman general Hazel Johnson Brown n d In African American Registry Retrieved from https aaregistry org story americas first black woman general hazel johnson brown Lukens Rob 2012 06 28 History s People Hazel Johnson Brown First Female Black General Chester County Historical Society Retrieved 2021 02 04 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint url status link CANDACE AWARD RECIPIENTS 1982 1990 Page 2 National Coalition of 100 Black Women Archived from the original on March 14 2003 Hazel W Johnson 1927 2011 African American Almanac Credo Reference search credoreference com Retrieved 2018 01 15 External links Edit7 Facts About Brigadier General Hazel W Johnson Brown In Memory Of ABNF Journal vol 22 no 4 Fall 2011 p 83 EBSCOhost Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Hazel Johnson Brown amp oldid 1081861345, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
