Constance N “Connie” Johnson: Oklahoma’s Unsung Heroine of Juneteenth Recognition and Marijuana Reform

Constance N. “Connie” Johnson has had a long and impactful career in Oklahoma politics, marked by her consistent advocacy for progressive causes, particularly in the areas of criminal justice reform and marijuana policy. One of her most significant accomplishments was writing the Juneteenth Recognition Day resolution in Oklahoma, which passed in 1994. Her work inspired and served as the launching pad for creating the National Juneteenth Holiday, the vision of Dr. Ron Myers.

Born in Holdenville and reared in southeast Oklahoma, Connie Johnson has an extensive background in public service. She earned a B.A. in French from the University of Pennsylvania in 1975, where she also worked on the constitutional amendment that gave 18-year-olds the right to vote. She subsequently graduated with a degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Langston University in 2010, and earned qa Ph.D. from Larry Love University in 2019. Before entering elected office, she worked for the Oklahoma Community Action Directors’ Association, the City of Oklahoma City, and as a personnel assistant for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. She spent twenty-four years as a senior legislative analyst for the Oklahoma State Senate, serving under every senator elected to District 48 since 1965. This extensive experience within the legislative process provided her with deep institutional knowledge. Feeling a calling on her life, Johnson ran for and was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate in a special election in November 2005, representing District 48. She was re-elected in 2006 and served until 2014. During her tenure, she was a prominent voice in the Democratic Party, where she served as vice chair and was the only superdelegate to support Sen. Bernie Sanders, Oklahoma’s 2016 choice for President. Connie had the distinction of serving in a Democrat controlled, a tied, and a Republican-dominated state Senate. She became the first woman and person of color to win a US Senate nomination in 2014.

Juneteenth celebrations have been a longstanding tradition in Black communities across Oklahoma for many years, particularly among those with ties to Texas. Official recognition of the holiday as the Third Saturday in June by the state of Oklahoma, the last place to free enslaved people, brought this significant event into the public eye. Juneteenth marks the freedom of enslaved individuals in Texas; however, news of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation only reached Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) approximately three years later in 1866. Several Native American tribes, known as the Five Civilized Tribes, also held enslaved individuals, which led to their freedom being confirmed through a series of treaties with the U.S. government. African Americans who migrated to Oklahoma after 1889, particularly from Texas, continued the Juneteenth tradition through events like speeches, picnics, and dances. The 1994 resolution recognized this significant cultural practice. By declaring “Juneteenth National Freedom Day,” Oklahoma encouraged education about the delayed enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation and the ongoing struggle for equality. This recognition allowed schools and community organizations to inform the public about this pivotal aspect of history. For the African American community in Oklahoma, Juneteenth became a symbol of their ancestors’ strength, resilience, and freedom, reinforcing pride and heritage, particularly in light of historical events like the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Many other states have since created Juneteenth holidays. Johnson’s work, along with these state recognitions, helped build national support for Juneteenth, demonstrating its cultural significance and contributing to the passage of the federal Juneteenth National Independence Day Act in 2021. This legislation highlighted the importance of state acknowledgments in establishing Juneteenth as a national holiday and educating the public about its significance.

The cumulative effect of state-level recognitions like Oklahoma’s played a vital role in building national momentum for Juneteenth. These state actions demonstrated widespread support for the holiday’s deep cultural significance, ultimately contributing to the successful passage of the federal Juneteenth National Independence Day Act in 2021. The federal legislation cited the history of state recognitions as part of the rationale for making Juneteenth a national holiday.

Enactment of Oklahoma’s 1994 Juneteenth “Day of Observation” on the third Saturday in June was a significant cultural affirmation. This was true even though Juneteenth was not designated as a paid state holiday. As a result, immediate changes in public perception were limited. However, Connie Johnson recognized the 1994 bill as a sign of progress. Her passionate advocacy for justice helped lay the groundwork for the eventual legalization of medical marijuana in Oklahoma. Known as the “godmother of the state’s medical marijuana movement,” Johnson introduced Oklahoma’s first medical marijuana bill in 2007, Oklahoma’s Centennial year, and continued to propose related legislation every two years during her time in the State Senate, even when her proposals didn’t succeed. Her leadership efforts, procedural knowledge and advocacy sparked meaningful discussions around marijuana legalization that ultimately led to the passage of State Question 788 in 2018, which legalized medical marijuana in Oklahoma. Johnson also pushed for full legalization of marijuana and hemp, including taxation, viewing it as an economic opportunity and a way to remediate racial disparities in marijuana arrests related to simple possession. Her bold and persistent advocacy shaped the discourse on marijuana policy in Oklahoma and influenced significant reforms in the state. Beyond politics, Connie Johnson frequently visits Oklahoma prison yards at an inmate’s request and played a strategic role in inspiring the organization of Oklahoma’s first-ever NAACP prison chapter. She serves all Oklahomans, regardless of their voting status, via her company, Advocacy Works, where she informs and provides voters with strategies to guarantee their votes.

Connie Johnson successfully appeals to both Native American and Black voters, navigating the complex history of Native tribes enslaving Black people through her focus on shared progressive values. Her platform addresses contemporary issues like systemic injustice, high incarceration rates, poverty, environmental injustice and educational disparities—issues that impact both communities in Oklahoma. As a person of African American and Choctaw descent, Johnson speaks authentically about the intersections of their experiences, acknowledging the distinct historical traumas they have faced. She critiques Oklahoma’s state policies that encroach on tribal sovereignty and that fail to fund essential services adequately. Johnson advocates for a more just criminal justice system that benefits all marginalized individuals, emphasizing rehabilitation and fair treatment. Her stance aligns with the interests of both Native and Black communities, particularly in her opposition to Governor Stitt’s actions concerning tribal sovereignty and resource management.

Her work to end private prisons, decriminalize drug possession, and reform the criminal legal system benefits both communities, as both Black and Native individuals are disproportionately impacted by incarceration in Oklahoma, which embodies the foundation of any Juneteenth celebration: freedom. She frames her platform in a way that seeks to uplift all marginalized communities rather than pitting them against each other. Connie Johnson is the mother of Oklahoma’s Juneteenth recognition and the Godmother of Oklahoma marijuana legalization. Her career in Oklahoma politics is characterized by her unwavering commitment to specific progressive causes, her willingness to challenge prevailing norms, and her sustained efforts to effect change in areas such as criminal justice, marijuana policy, and human rights.

In celebration of the upcoming federal Juneteenth holiday, we honor Senator Connie Johnson’s impactful contributions to Oklahoma politics. Her advocacy for Juneteenth and progressive policies has amplified the voices of marginalized communities while promoting unity between Black and Native American groups. Johnson exemplifies inclusive leadership, highlighting the importance of recognition and resilience in the ongoing fight for justice. Her commitment to progressive causes has driven change in criminal justice, marijuana policy, and human rights, reflecting the true spirit of Juneteenth.

Photos credit: Connie Johnson & Amberly R Taylor.