Suzan Johnson Cook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Suzan Cook
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| 3rd United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom | |
| In office April 2011 – October 2013 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | John Hanford |
| Succeeded by | David Saperstein |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 28, 1957 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Emerson College (BA) Columbia University (MEd) Union Theological Seminary (M.Div., DDiv) |
Suzan Denise Johnson Cook, born on January 28, 1957, is an important American leader. She has been a presidential advisor, a pastor, a theologian (someone who studies religion), an author, and an activist. From 2011 to 2013, she served as the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom under President Barack Obama.
Before this role, she advised President Bill Clinton. She also worked with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Henry Cisneros. Suzan Johnson Cook was a dean and professor at Harvard University. She also taught theology at New York Theological Seminary. She was a pastor at several churches and even a television producer. She has written many books. She made history as the first female senior pastor at Mariners Temple Baptist Church in New York City. This church is part of the American Baptist Churches USA, which is 200 years old. She was also a close friend of Coretta Scott King.
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Early Life and Education
Suzan Johnson Cook grew up in Harlem and The Bronx, New York. She was the younger of two children. Her father was one of the first Black trolley drivers in New York City. He later started his own security company. Her mother was a public school teacher in Harlem.
Both Suzan and her older brother skipped grades in school. Her brother later attended Dartmouth College. Suzan went to Riverdale Country Day School. She finished high school at sixteen. She first attended Fisk University before moving to Emerson College. In 1976, she graduated with a degree in speech. She then earned a master's degree in educational technology from Columbia University. She also gained early experience in politics. She helped her brother win a seat in the New York State Assembly.
Later, she earned another master's degree in 1983. This was from Union Theological Seminary. In 1990, she received a Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary. She also completed a program for minority business executives. This was at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.
Career Highlights
Early Professional Life
After college, Johnson Cook started a career in television. She worked as a producer for news channels in Boston, Washington, and Miami. Later, she decided to enter ministry. She became an ordained minister in 1982. From 1983 to 1996, she served as the senior pastor at the Mariners Temple Baptist Church.
She was the first woman to hold this senior pastor position. This was a big step in the 200-year history of the American Baptist Churches USA. In 2002, she became the first woman elected president of the Hampton University Ministers' Conference. This conference represents many historically African-American church groups. Johnson Cook also became the official chaplain for the New York City Police Department. She held this important role for twenty-one years. She was the first and only woman to ever hold this position.
In 1996, Johnson Cook founded the Bronx Christian Fellowship Baptist Church. She was its pastor until 2010. She also started several non-profit groups. One example is the Multi-Ethnic Center Inc. She also created Moving Up Productions. This company focuses on communications, leadership, and consulting. From 1996 to 1998, she taught at New York Theological Seminary. She also spent time teaching at Harvard University. There, she was a dean and a professor of speech and communications.
Johnson Cook was the goddaughter of Coretta Scott King. Coretta Scott King was the wife of Martin Luther King Jr.. Suzan became a close friend of Coretta Scott King. She even led the funeral service for Mrs. King. In 2013, she became an honorary member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. This happened during their 100-year celebration in Washington, D.C.
Political Roles
In 1993, Johnson Cook was chosen as a White House Fellow. This is a special program for young leaders. She then became an advisor to President Bill Clinton. She worked on domestic policy issues. She was part of the Domestic Policy Council. She also helped with President Clinton's One America Initiative. After advising the president, she became a consultant. She worked for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros from 1994 to 1997.
In 2016, she ran for Congress. She sought the Democratic nomination for New York's 13th congressional district. This was to replace the retiring congressman Charles Rangel. The election was held on June 28, 2016. She was not elected, placing sixth out of nine candidates.
Diplomatic Service
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On June 15, 2010, President Barack Obama nominated her. He chose her for the role of United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. This is a position in the State Department. However, her nomination was delayed in the Senate. It expired without a vote in January 2011.
She was nominated again and confirmed on April 14, 2011. She officially started her work on May 16, 2011. She was the first woman and the first African-American to hold this important diplomatic job.
A report in the Washington Post mentioned that Chinese officials did not meet with her. They refused to discuss issues of religious freedom. She resigned from her ambassador role in October 2013. She wanted to earn more money in the private sector. Her goal was to help her sons get a "debt-free college education."
Personal Life
Suzan Johnson Cook lives in New York. She lives with her husband, Ronald, and their two sons.
Selected Books
