Johnnie-Mae Shannon Watkins was a brave, strong, brilliant, unsung American hero. This Tupelo, Mississippi native was a trailblazing civil rights activist in Washington, D.C. during the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Working together with her husband, Joseph T. Watkins, Johnnie-Mae changed the face of the federal workforce in Washington. This is her remarkable story.

This modest one-story home at 2401 Morgan Avenue in Parsons, Kansas, was the first launchpad for the children of Levi and Lillian Watkins.

By: Donald V. Watkins Copyrighted and Published on July 28, 2023 Joseph T. Watkins was my father’s youngest brother. He was smart,...