Johnny Owen (Nebraska politician) facts for kids

Johnny Owen (born February 11, 1907 – died March 2, 1978) was an American politician. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Owen served in the Nebraska House of Representatives, representing Omaha. After his time in government, he became a strong supporter of civil rights. He was even known as the "Honorary Mayor" of Omaha's Black community.

Life Story of Johnny Owen

Johnny Owen was born on February 11, 1907, in Newport, Arkansas. His parents were Wilson N Owen and Fanie McCraty. In 1918, his family moved to Omaha, Nebraska. Johnny had two siblings, Joseph and Lyria. His father, Wilson, worked as a butcher.

School and Sports

Johnny Owen went to Omaha South High School. He was an amazing athlete there. He earned a "letter" in four different sports: track, football, basketball, and baseball. This meant he was a top player in all four. At that time, he was the only athlete in Nebraska to achieve this!

After finishing high school in 1927, Johnny wanted to go to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. However, he was not allowed to attend because of his skin color.

Family Life

On January 19, 1928, Johnny Owen married Thelma M King. Her parents were James H King and Florence Blaine.

After high school, Johnny played amateur baseball in Omaha. He played for teams like the Union Pacific Gold Coast team and the Culture Center Red Sox. His brother Joe also played on the Red Sox team. Johnny's father, Wilson, passed away on October 30, 1937.

Later Years and Passing

Johnny Owen left Omaha in 1963. Later in his life, he became sick with cancer. He passed away on March 2, 1978, in Inglewood, California.

Johnny Owen's Career

Before he joined the state government, Johnny Owen worked as a truck driver. He also studied law at Creighton University.

Joining the Nebraska Legislature

In 1932, Johnny Owen decided to run for a seat in the Nebraska House of Representatives. He ran for the ninth district. Many people supported him, including a group called the Nebraska Negro Democratic Club. This club helped Black politicians get elected. The Governor at the time, Charles W. Bryan, and future US Congressman Edward R. Burke also supported him.

One big topic in the election was a law about alcohol. Johnny Owen said he would vote to end that law. He won the election, beating three other candidates.

As a lawmaker, Owen worked on important issues. He helped create a law to assist older people. He also supported a bill to reorganize banks. Even though he was a lawmaker, Owen still faced unfair treatment because of his race. For example, at a hotel in Lincoln, he was not allowed to use the elevator and had to walk up the stairs.

In 1934, Johnny Owen ran for re-election but lost to John Adams, Jr.

"Honorary Mayor" of Omaha

Even after losing the election, Johnny Owen remained very important in Omaha. People started calling him the "Honorary Negro Mayor of Omaha." He kept this nickname for many years.

In 1938, he ran for the state government again, but he did not win. At that time, he worked as a clerk in the County Assessors office. He also helped register important documents. In that election, he spoke out against higher taxes. He also supported fair labor laws, like a minimum wage and limits on working hours.

In 1950, Johnny Owen became the president of Omaha's first housing cooperative for Black families. A housing cooperative is a group that helps people buy and own homes together. This project was supported by the Omaha Urban League and the Federal Housing Authority.

In 1951, he was considered for a position on the City Council. At that time, he was working at the post office. The NAACP also supported him for this role.

Fighting for Justice

Johnny Owen was a strong voice for civil rights. On February 10, 1956, the Omaha Police arrested many people in a series of raids. Owen, as the chairman of the Action Committee of the Near North Side, spoke out against these arrests. He said they were unfair and done on a "wholesale basis." He questioned if the police were acting the same way in other parts of the city that were not Black neighborhoods. Some other activists, like those from the Urban League and NAACP, felt that Owen's protests were too strong.