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“I would not have been
able to go to college right
after high school if it had
not been for the community
college system,” said
Amelia, “and college is
one of the most important
factors in making my
dreams happen.”
Delegate Johnson later
became interested in government and ran for the House of Delegates
in 1966. He served four years, left for nearly 20 to spend time with
his family, and then returned in 1990. During his time as a delegate,
Johnson was able to be highly involved in making higher education
readily available to the citizens of Virginia.
Twenty-three colleges are a part of the Virginia Community
College System, providing two-year vocational degrees to students
throughout Virginia. According to the
website, 2 out of
every 3 Virginia college students are attending a Virginia community
college. These community colleges have agreements with over 60 four-
year institutions, allowing students to easily continue their education.
Delegate Johnson is most pleased with his involvement in the
following three areas: the Southwest Virginia Higher Education
Center, the Virginia Community College System, and the Virginia
Tobacco Commission.
“When I have had students visit in my office in Richmond, 6
out of 10 students would say that without community college, they
would not have been able to go to college,” said Johnson. “When I
asked if the tobacco commission scholarship fund helped students
attend college, many students also raised their hands. The community
college system and the Higher Education Center … these two have
meant the most to me.”
Amelia Charles has many dreams: one of them being to open up
a ministry in Appalachia, focusing on showing the people that they do
not have to live in the cycle of poverty that has been modeled in front of
them throughout their lives.
Delegate Johnson’s work in education has been foundational in the
lives of many students throughout the state. This work is the highlight
of his time serving in Richmond.
“I have great confidence in our young people, and I hope that
our leaders step up to the plate and create opportunities for our young
people,” said Johnson. “One of my goals is to create an environment
of opportunities that would permit our brightest to stay in Southwest
Virginia.We have a lot of capable, bright, intelligent young people and
we need them to stay here and earn a decent living. Our young people
should stay focused on things that are positive that create a good,
wholesome, Christian environment.”
When Amelia Charles is asked what she will do with her life, she
gives a sly smile: “Change the world. But I guess that’s not the answer
you were looking for.”
Delegate Joe Johnson is eighty-one years old and from Southwest
Virginia. Because he understands the challenges that students like
Amelia are facing, he has spent much of his political career creating
opportunities for every student to have access to an education through
the Higher Education Center, theVirginia Community College System,
and the Virginia Tobacco Commission.
He has helped numerous students receive an education, even when
these students do not know his name. And although his time serving
Having served more than 20 consecutive
years as a delegate for Virginia’s fourth
district, Joe Johnson has announced that he
will not be running for reelection.
Amelia Charles is 19 years old. She is
from Buchannan County, an impoverished
county tucked into a forgotten corner of
Southwest Virginia. Opportunities are
limited, jobs are hard to find, and Amelia
will tell you that it’s “hard to get out.”
He grew up in Hayter’s Gap, a rural community in Southwest
Virginia. His parents were tenant farmers, and that meant that they
were only able to keep one-fourth of their profits. Joe Johnson grew up
doing his homework by lamplight.
“We did not have electricity in our house,” said Johnson. “We
did not have running water. It was during hard times just after the
depression. I wanted to do something that my parents did not have the
education to do. My father’s education only took him up to the fifth
grade. My mother had to go to Kentucky and live with relatives to go
to high school.”
Amelia Charles began her education at community college where
she had received a full ride after graduating as the valedictorian of
her high school. Because of the community college system, Amelia was
then able to attend Bluefield College, a private, four-year, liberal arts
college.
“I didn’t want to fall into the routine that most of my peers did:
start working a minimum wage paying job, get married to make enough
to survive, have a bunch of kids, never get out,” said Amelia.
Delegate Johnson may have grown up on a farm, but he did not
want to be a farmer.
“I didn’t want to wake up at 4 a.m. milking cows,” said Johnson. “I
just thought that there must be something better for me to do.”
Johnson managed to begin attending college at Emory and Henry
College. Shortly after he began, he was drafted, which forced him to
drop out of college for four years.
After his time in the military, Johnson was able to finish his
education at Emory andHenry under theG. I. Bill of Rights.Afterwards,
Johnson pursued his law degree at the University of Richmond.
Although his time in the military had interrupted his education,
Johnson had no trouble returning to college.
“It was a great opportunity, and I wanted to do it,” said Johnson.
“My education has meant a lot to me. I am grateful for the G. I. Bill
of Rights that allowed me to attend college. My parents couldn’t have
afforded it. Because of my service I was able to get the money that
allowed me to finish my education.”
The Gift of Delegate Johnson:
Over Twenty Years Investing in Education
By Lydia Freeman
Continued on next page
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
B
ERNIE
H
ENDERSON
Director for Family and
Community Relations
PARHAM CHAPEL
1771 Parham Road
(804) 288-3013
HUGUENOT CHAPEL
1020 Huguenot Road
(804) 794-1000
ATLEE CHAPEL
9271 Shady Grove Road
(804) 730-0035
