User:Sammielh/Urmia Johnson

Urmia Eleanor Johnson (born December 1944) was a Guyanese politician for the People's National Congress. She served as Minister of Co-operatives, Minister of National Development, Minister of Regional Development, and Minister Responsible for Women's Affairs.

Early life
Johnson was born in December 1944 as the third of five children. She grew up in Berbice County, where she was a dedicated student and an active participant in the local church. She began to work as a secondary school teacher when she turned eighteen, a position she would hold for the next ten years.

In 1974, Johnson became one of three women in Guyana’s first Developers Course, which was an initiative organised by the government to prepare citizens to work as future leaders in national development. She did well enough to receive the attention of political leaders. In 1975, she received a Trained Teacher’s Certificate after participating in a training programme. She received a diploma in public administration from the University of Guyana in 1979, and then a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the same university. Johnson also completed a course at the University of the West Indies on gender and development.

Political career
She joined the Central Executive Committee of the People's National Congress (PNC) and became its Assistant General Secretary. She later became the party’s chief field organiser and chairperson of the committee that oversaw the party’s assets. In 1981, Johnson was first elected to the National Assembly of Guyana. From 1981 to 1985, Johnson served as Minister of Co-operatives. She received the additional portfolio as the Minister Responsible for Women's Affairs in 1982.

She was re-elected during the 1985 general election, and was appointed as Minister within the Ministry of National Mobilisation.

In 1983 and 1984, the Bureau of Women’s Affairs delegated its powers to the Regional Democratic Councils.

Later life
After losing the election, Johnson became a lecturer at the University of Guyana. She remained involved in politics and in 1994, she was elected chair of the National Congress of Women.