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Day Declared For Mpls. Civil Rights Legend Dr. Josie Johnson

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Students in Minneapolis celebrated the legacy of one of our community's Civil Rights leaders.

Mayor Betsy Hodges was at Emerson Spanish Immersion Learning Center to declare Friday "Dr. Josie R. Johnson Day."

With Dr. Johnson smiling on, the students sang a song and shared stores about her life. She said working with the students has been an honor.

"If children are listening and feel that they can express what they've heard and it is dealing with human rights and social justice, then we're doing what we're supposed to do," Johnson said.

Dr. Johnson has used her first-hand experience of the Civil Rights struggle to create successful employment, education and community programs within the Twin Cities.

She was also the first African American appointed to the Board of Regents at the University of Minnesota.

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