Dorothy Vena Johnson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dorothy Vena Johnson
Johnson, from a 1942 directory.
Born	Dorothy Vena May 7, 1898 Los Angeles, United States
Died	1970 (aged 71–72)
Nationality	American
Occupation	Poet, educator
Years active	1930s–1960s
Known for	co-founder of the League of Allied Arts

Dorothy Vena Johnson (born May 7, 1898 – died 1970) was an amazing American poet and teacher from Los Angeles, California. She helped start an important arts group for African-American women called the League of Allied Arts in 1939. She spent her life helping young people learn and grow, and supporting artists.

Her Early Life and Education

Dorothy Vena was born in Los Angeles. Her parents were James Vena and Namie (née Plum). Her father worked for the post office and was one of the people who started the Los Angeles branch of the NAACP, a group that works for equal rights.

Dorothy went to the University of Southern California. She earned a bachelor's degree there. Later, she got her teaching certificate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Before 1932, she married a lawyer named Ivan Johnson III. She passed away in 1970.

Her Work as a Poet and Arts Leader

Dorothy Vena Johnson was a talented poet. Her writing was inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, a time when Black artists, writers, and musicians created amazing works. Her poems, like "Green Valley" and "Letter En Route Overseas," were featured in many books and collections. Even today, you can find her poems in books about Black women's poetry.

Johnson also worked with Juanita Ellsworth Miller, a social worker. They helped promote the famous poet Langston Hughes when he visited Los Angeles. Because of this experience, they decided to create their own group. In 1939, they co-founded the League of Allied Arts. This organization supported African-American women in the arts.

Dorothy Vena Johnson was the president of the League from when it started until the mid-1950s. Under her leadership, the League offered scholarships to Black artists and writers. They also helped promote dancers, plays, and readings by writers. The League even supported the Migration Series paintings by Jacob Lawrence. In 1962, Dorothy was named "Woman of the Year" by a sorority called Zeta Phi Beta.

Her Career as an Educator

For over forty years, Johnson taught journalism to junior high school students. She worked in the Los Angeles Unified School District. She was also a member of the Los Angeles Creative Writing Teachers Association.

Later, she became the principal at Garden Gate High School. She retired from this role in 1963. One of her students, Dolores Ratcliffe, remembered her as "an outstanding human being." Dolores also said that Dorothy was one of only two Black teachers at her elementary school. She inspired Dolores to want to be like her. Dorothy Vena Johnson was the first Black principal of a secondary school in Los Angeles.

Her Lasting Legacy

A high school was named after Dorothy Vena Johnson in December 1980. It was later known as Johnson Community Day School. This school helps students in grades 7 through 12.

In 1971, the Black history collection at the Vernon Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library was named in her honor. The League of Allied Arts, the group she helped start, is still active in Los Angeles today. Their important papers are kept at UCLA.