Rise to the Challenge
A Memoir of Politics, Leadership, and Love
Will be published approx. on 24. September 2024
Book
Hardback
248 pages
978-1-5179-1761-6 (ISBN)
Description
The inspiring life story of Minnesota's first woman lieutenant governor: breaking political ground, navigating patriarchal tradition, and persevering through great personal loss
Marking a milestone for women in state government, Marlene M. Johnson became Minnesota's first woman lieutenant governor under Rudy Perpich's gubernatorial administration in January 1983. That same year, she met her husband, Peter, and their deeply loving relationship profoundly sustained her for twenty-seven years. Rise to the Challenge weaves these personal and professional stories together in a courageous portrait of dedication and leadership.
Growing up in rural Minnesota, Johnson began organizing and advocating for change early, beginning with a campaign to introduce foreign languages into her high school curriculum. Pursuing a deeply felt commitment to improving the lives of others, she continued to sharpen her leadership skills throughout her life, participating in activist work in college, cofounding organizations to support women entrepreneurs and politicians, and eventually running an international education nonprofit.
A stalwart supporter, her husband gave Marlene strength and encouragement to face the challenges of the political landscape and its gender biases. Then, in 2010, he suffered a traumatic brain injury that would change both of their lives. Learning how to be a medical advocate and, eventually, facing the sorrow of Peter's death, Marlene relied on the hard-fought resilience and belief in herself that Peter had helped her to develop.
A story of learning and leadership in politics, business, and public service, Rise to the Challenge is a moving portrayal of spirit, perseverance, and grace in the face of daunting personal challenges, supported by unwavering faith in the public good.
Marking a milestone for women in state government, Marlene M. Johnson became Minnesota's first woman lieutenant governor under Rudy Perpich's gubernatorial administration in January 1983. That same year, she met her husband, Peter, and their deeply loving relationship profoundly sustained her for twenty-seven years. Rise to the Challenge weaves these personal and professional stories together in a courageous portrait of dedication and leadership.
Growing up in rural Minnesota, Johnson began organizing and advocating for change early, beginning with a campaign to introduce foreign languages into her high school curriculum. Pursuing a deeply felt commitment to improving the lives of others, she continued to sharpen her leadership skills throughout her life, participating in activist work in college, cofounding organizations to support women entrepreneurs and politicians, and eventually running an international education nonprofit.
A stalwart supporter, her husband gave Marlene strength and encouragement to face the challenges of the political landscape and its gender biases. Then, in 2010, he suffered a traumatic brain injury that would change both of their lives. Learning how to be a medical advocate and, eventually, facing the sorrow of Peter's death, Marlene relied on the hard-fought resilience and belief in herself that Peter had helped her to develop.
A story of learning and leadership in politics, business, and public service, Rise to the Challenge is a moving portrayal of spirit, perseverance, and grace in the face of daunting personal challenges, supported by unwavering faith in the public good.
Reviews / Votes
"Marlene M. Johnson wasn't just the first woman to be Minnesota's Lieutenant Governor. She was also the first Lieutenant Governor to have a specific policy portfolio. She had access and influence in ways that laid the groundwork for me and others to follow. Marlene is of a class of women who made important strides in DFL politics, and I'm grateful for her place in Minnesota's history and for this book that tells that story." -Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan"An essential document of the midcentury rise of women into American politics. In this memoir of a remarkable public life, Marlene M. Johnson braids a love story tragically turned into caregiving and the domestic devotion of guardian and advocate. She proves that faithfulness in love and commitment to the betterment of the world are not opposites after all." -Patricia Hampl, author of The Art of the Wasted Day
"It may be a challenge for bookstores to shelve this book: under memoir/biography, women's history, business leadership, comparative health systems, politics, journal writing, romance, or suspense. In any category, it's a page-turner, from start-up to statehouse to international CEO. Rise to the Challenge evokes admiration and empathy for Marlene M. Johnson, a woman 'composing her life' thoughtfully and courageously, with good humor and resilience." -Elisabeth Griffith, PhD, author of Formidable: American Women and the Fight for Equality, 1920-2020
"Marlene M. Johnson's story is one of fortitude, service, and great achievement, all told with humility in this highly readable volume. This is a compelling personal account of a woman who climbed the precarious political ladder in her home state and became an international leader in the field of higher education. Her leadership created a strong network of individuals and institutions that reinforced the values of democratic institutions and academic freedom based on critical thinking and objectivity. This fascinating success story is an important read for aspiring public servants, male or female." -J. Brian Atwood, former administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development; former dean, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
"In the dynamic mid-twentieth-century women's movement, Marlene M. Johnson stood out and stood up with clarity of vision and purpose. Her multiple public service initiatives propelled her to a national presence and then into international education leadership. This memoir of that leadership, together with the challenges of life-changing events, is told with the same refreshing candor and compelling courage with which she has led her path-breaking life. And it raises the spirits." -Judge Harriet Lansing, retired, Minnesota Court of Appeals
"Marlene M. Johnson weaves a professional and personal story through the lens of leadership, identifying her role, impact, and feelings at each stage of her complex bicoastal life. Enlightening and moving, this story of a strong and resilient woman is one you will not forget. I highly recommend this book." -Pauline Boss, professor emeritus, University of Minnesota; author of Ambiguous Loss and The Myth of Closure
"Johnson documents not only her milestone political achievement as the first female lieutenant governor of Minnesota, she also traces her inner voice through her many roles, capturing both inspiring moments and times of grief, and the power of hope, persistence and dialogue to carry her through."-Al-Fanar Media
"Johnson's political/personal story couldn't be more timely."-Pioneer Press
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Minnesota
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
15 black and white plates
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 163 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
567 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5179-1761-6 (9781517917616)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Marlene M. Johnson was Minnesota's first woman lieutenant governor, serving in Governor Rudy Perpich's administration from 1983 until 1991. She is cofounder of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners and the Minnesota Women's Campaign Fund and was executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators for nearly two decades. She is now on the advisory board of Kakenya's Dream, a board member of the Washington Office on Latin America, and a trustee of The Alexandria Trust. In 1988, she was awarded the Royal Order of the Polar Star by the Kingdom of Sweden. She lives in Washington, D.C.