Rise to the Challenge: A talk by Minnesota's 1st woman lieutenant governor

Join long-time political columnist Lori Sturdevant as she interviews Minnesota's first woman lieutenant governor, Marlene M. Johnson. They will discuss her life in politics, her leadership of an international education organization, and the love story of her marriage and of her advocacy for her husband after he suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Johnson served in Governor Rudy Perpich's administration from 1983 to1991, an exciting period in Minnesota politics when women became increasingly involved in government. It was also a time when Perpich and Johnson advocated for the arts, making landmarks such as the pedestrian bridge at the Walker Sculpture Garden a reality. They moved Minnesota out of the "flyover" designation by inviting, then hosting, President Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union when he wanted to visit cities beyond Washington D.C.

After transitioning out of politics, Johnson worked as executive director and CEO of an organization to support international educators, co-founded several organizations to support women in business and women in politics. During this time, a friendship developed into love and Johnson married Peter Frankel. Frankel was a Swedish citizen, and together they had careers working internationally. After Frankel suffered a head injury, their lives changed dramatically and Johnson found herself being her husband's medical advocate. In this situation, like all the others in Johnson's life, she rose to the challenge.

This will be a lively discussion of recent history with one of the women who shaped Minnesota. There will be ample time for questions.

Johnson's memoir, Rise to the Challenge, will be available for purchase. There will be a book signing after the talk.

This event is free.

Host or Publisher Norway House