Shoshana Johnson

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5 out of 5

First African American Woman POW in U.S. War History, Author of "I’m Still Standing" & Veteran Advocate

Travels From Travels From:
El Paso, TX, USA
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Shoshana Johnson Biography

Shoshana Nyree Johnson was born in the Republic of Panama to Panamanian parents Claude and Eunice Johnson. Johnson lives in El Paso, Texas near her family.

Johnson was a JROTC cadet in 1991 and graduated from Andress High School. She attended the University of Texas at El Paso before joining the US Army in September 1998. She completed the US Army Basic Training Course at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, and the Advance Individual Training at Ft. Lee, Virginia. Her first military assignment was at Ft. Carson, Colorado. In February 2003, while stationed at Ft. Bliss, Texas, Johnson received orders to deploy to Iraq as a Food Service Specialist, (92G) with the 507th Maintenance Company, 5/52 Battalion 11th Brigade.

On March 23, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Johnson was in a convoy that was ambushed in the city of an-Nasiriyah. Johnson received a bullet wound to her ankle, causing injuries to both legs. She and five other members of the 507th Maintenance Company were captured and taken Prisoners of War. The ambush and its aftermath made headlines worldwide.

House raids conducted by US Marines in the city of Samarra, Iraq, resulted in the successful rescue of seven POWs on the morning of April 13. Johnson, among the rescued, returned to the US to a heroes' welcome. She retired from the Army with an Honorable Discharge on December 12, 2003. Johnson's awards and decorations include the US Army Service Ribbon, Army Commendation Ribbon, National Defense Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, and the Prisoner of War Medal. She is recognized as the first black female POW in US war history.

Since returning to the United States, Johnson has been active in veteran advocacy and public speaking, focusing on subjects such as life with PTSD and the impact of being a woman of color in the military. She graduated from El Paso Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in May 2008 and a degree in culinary arts (pastry) in May 2011. Johnson authored the memoir “I'm Still Standing: From Captured Soldier to Free Citizen-My Journey Home,” which was nominated for a NAACP Image Award. She continues to plan for further education, pursuing a nutrition degree to complement her advocacy work.

BOOK Shoshana Johnson

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/11/2024.

Shoshana Johnson Speaking Topics

  • The Female Veteran Experience

    Johnson discusses navigating life as a female veteran in today’s world, and discusses the several hurdles and disadvantages women face in the US military.

  • Living in the PTSD Fog

    This talk deals with Johnson's life with PTSD after her harrowing time as a POW in the Iraqi war, and how she learned how to ask for help. She also details her struggle with US Military to acknowledge her PTSD from her time in service. In this talk, she helps break the stigma and shame that surrounds PTSD and the veterans that suffer from it.

  • POW'rful Woman

    In Johnson's powerful talk, she details her time as the first-ever African-American woman POW. From her capture in Iraq, to her harrowing three week-imprisonment, up to her eventual rescue. She recounts her moving tale of survival and trauma, and the aftermath that she lives with everyday, including PTSD, adjusting to civilian life, and moving forward from the horrors she experienced.

Shoshana Johnson Videos

  • Public Service and Sacrifice: A Conversation with Shoshana Johnson
    Starting soon – join Shoshana Johnson, America's first Black female prisoner of war, at 6:00 PM ET in the Forum as she shares her story of...
  • Shoshana Johnson: A Discussion on Survival with the First Black ...
    Community Connections: Performance & Lecture Series.
  • American Veteran | POW Shoshana Johnson's Story | PBS - YouTube
    Official site: https://to.pbs.org/3aInG6S | #AmericanVeteranPBS“In my head I was going to go do six months, save some money, ...

Shoshana Johnson Books

  • I'm Still Standing: From Captive U.S. Soldier to Free Citizen--My Journey Home
    I'm Still Standing: From Captive U.S. Soldier to Free Citizen--My Journey Home

Speaker Lists Featuring Shoshana Johnson

FAQs on booking Shoshana Johnson

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  • What topics does Shoshana Johnson speak about?

  • Where does Shoshana Johnson travel from?

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Shoshana Johnson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as The Female Veteran Experience , Living in the PTSD Fog and POW'rful Woman. The estimated speaking fee range to book Shoshana Johnson for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Shoshana Johnson generally travels from El Paso, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Rocky Bleier, Gail Harris, Amelia Rose Earhart, Monica Pearson and Xernona Clayton. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Shoshana Johnson for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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