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'''Ellen Johnson''' (born 1955) is an American activist for the civil rights of ]s and for the ] in the ]. She served as the president of the organization ] from |
'''Ellen Johnson''' (born 1955) is an American activist for the civil rights of ]s and for the ] in the ]. She served as the president of the organization ] from 1995 to 2008. She, along with ex-Colombia president Juan Manuel Santos and United Nations Human Rights Chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein, has joined the illustrious Elders group.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.africanews.com/2019/01/23/liberia-s-ex-president-sirleaf-joins-the-elders/|title=Liberia's ex-president Sirleaf joins The Elders|work=Africa news|accessdate=23 Jan 2019}}</ref> | ||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
Ellen Johnson was born in the ] in 1955. She describes herself as a lifelong "second-generation ]".<ref name="Donahue" /> Her educational background consists of ]s in ] and ] |
Ellen Johnson was born in the ] in 1955. She describes herself as a lifelong "second-generation ]".<ref name="Donahue" /> Her educational background consists of ]s in ] and ] and a ] in political science from ].{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} | ||
==Career== | ==Career== | ||
Johnson has been active in the ] organization since 1978. She took over as president in 1995 after founder ] went missing along with her son and granddaughter ( |
Johnson has been active in the ] organization since 1978. She took over as president in 1995 after founder ] went missing along with her son and granddaughter. (They were later found to have been abducted and murdered by two ex-convicts, one of whom, David Waters, worked for her organization.){{citation needed|date=January 2014}} | ||
In November 2002, Johnson announced the formation of the Godless Americans Political Action Committee (GAMPAC), a ] to endorse political candidates who support the ]. She is the executive director of that organization.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} | In November 2002, Johnson announced the formation of the Godless Americans Political Action Committee (GAMPAC), a ] to endorse political candidates who support the ]. She is the executive director of that organization.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} | ||
Starting in 1994, she was the co-host of ''The Atheist Viewpoint'', a television program |
Starting in 1994, she was the co-host of ''The Atheist Viewpoint'', a television program which is available "on dozens of cable systems throughout the nation and on the Internet."<ref name="Donahue"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726180649/http://www.infidels.org/wire/stories/?aa_030204.html |date=2011-07-26 }}</ref> | ||
On December 20, 2005 she appeared on an ] special, "Heaven – Where Is It? How Do We Get There?", for which she was interviewed by ]. She appeared on '']'' in April 2005,<ref></ref> '']'' in December 2005, ]'s '']'' on December 14, 2004,<ref></ref> and appeared on ] three times in November and December 2003, and ]'s ].<ref name="Donahue"/> | On December 20, 2005, she appeared on an ] special, "Heaven – Where Is It? How Do We Get There?", for which she was interviewed by ]. She appeared on '']'' in April 2005,<ref></ref> '']'' in December 2005, ]'s '']'' on December 14, 2004,<ref></ref> and appeared on ] three times in November and December 2003, and ]'s ].<ref name="Donahue"/> | ||
On May 2, 2008 it was announced on the American Atheists blog that Johnson was leaving her post as |
On May 2, 2008, it was announced on the American Atheists blog that Johnson was leaving her post as president. On May 7, 2008, it was made public that Ellen Johnson was removed involuntarily by a vote of the board of directors. The reason was not revealed.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} She was succeeded by ]. | ||
==References== | ==References== |
Revision as of 04:13, 24 January 2019
For other people named Ellen Johnson, see Ellen Johnson (disambiguation).Ellen Johnson | |
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Johnson at the Great American God-Out in Manhattan, November 15, 2007. | |
Born | 1955 (age 68–69) |
Ellen Johnson (born 1955) is an American activist for the civil rights of atheists and for the separation of church and state in the United States. She served as the president of the organization American Atheists from 1995 to 2008. She, along with ex-Colombia president Juan Manuel Santos and United Nations Human Rights Chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein, has joined the illustrious Elders group.
Early life
Ellen Johnson was born in the United States in 1955. She describes herself as a lifelong "second-generation atheist". Her educational background consists of bachelor's degrees in environmental studies and political science and a master's degree in political science from The New School for Social Research.
Career
Johnson has been active in the American Atheists organization since 1978. She took over as president in 1995 after founder Madalyn Murray O'Hair went missing along with her son and granddaughter. (They were later found to have been abducted and murdered by two ex-convicts, one of whom, David Waters, worked for her organization.)
In November 2002, Johnson announced the formation of the Godless Americans Political Action Committee (GAMPAC), a PAC to endorse political candidates who support the separation of church and state. She is the executive director of that organization.
Starting in 1994, she was the co-host of The Atheist Viewpoint, a television program which is available "on dozens of cable systems throughout the nation and on the Internet."
On December 20, 2005, she appeared on an ABC special, "Heaven – Where Is It? How Do We Get There?", for which she was interviewed by Barbara Walters. She appeared on Larry King Live in April 2005, Good Morning America in December 2005, MSNBC's Scarborough Country on December 14, 2004, and appeared on Fox News three times in November and December 2003, and MSNBC's Phil Donahue.
On May 2, 2008, it was announced on the American Atheists blog that Johnson was leaving her post as president. On May 7, 2008, it was made public that Ellen Johnson was removed involuntarily by a vote of the board of directors. The reason was not revealed. She was succeeded by Frank Zindler.
References
- "Liberia's ex-president Sirleaf joins The Elders". Africa news. Retrieved 23 Jan 2019.
- ^ AA Press Release: Ellen Johnson Slated for Donahue/MSNBC Archived 2011-07-26 at the Wayback Machine
- "What Happens After We Die?" transcript; Larry King Live; April 14, 2005
- Scarborough Country; December 14, 2004
External links
Preceded byMadalyn Murray O'Hair (de facto) Jon Garth Murray (de jure) |
President of American Atheists 1995–2008 |
Succeeded byFrank Zindler |