A Conversation with Marlene Johnson, Minnesota’s First Female Lieutenant Governor

WCHS is thrilled to announce an event on Wednesday, October 9 at 7pm called “A Conversation with Marlene Johnson” led by former lobbyist and artist John Kaul at the Washington County Heritage Center.

Marlene M. Johnson is a true trailblazer in women’s history, becoming Minnesota’s first female lieutenant governor under Rudy Perpich’s gubernatorial administration in January 1983. The evening will feature a conversational interview by John Kaul, highlighting her illustrious career and celebrating the launch of her new book, Rise to the Challenge: A Memoir of Politics, Leadership & Love, being released on September 24, 2024. 

This event is free to the public.

Reservations are required and space is limited. Please go all the way through checkout to confirm your reservation. Click here to reserve your spot.

Copies of  Rise to the Challenge: A Memoir of Politics, Leadership & Love will be available for purchase at the event. 

About Marlene Johnson and Rise to the Challenge

The inspiring life story of Minnesota’s first woman lieutenant governor: breaking political ground, navigating patriarchal tradition, and persevering through great personal loss

Marking a milestone for women in state government, Marlene M. Johnson became Minnesota’s first woman lieutenant governor under Rudy Perpich’s gubernatorial administration in January 1983. That same year, she met her husband, Peter, and their deeply loving relationship profoundly sustained her for twenty-seven years. Rise to the Challenge weaves these personal and professional stories together in a courageous portrait of dedication and leadership.

Growing up in rural Minnesota, Johnson began organizing and advocating for change early, beginning with a campaign to introduce foreign languages into her high school curriculum. Pursuing a deeply felt commitment to improving the lives of others, she continued to sharpen her leadership skills throughout her life, participating in activist work in college, cofounding organizations to support women entrepreneurs and politicians, and eventually running an international education nonprofit.

A stalwart supporter, her husband gave Marlene strength and encouragement to face the challenges of the political landscape and its gender biases. Then, in 2010, he suffered a traumatic brain injury that would change both of their lives. Learning how to be a medical advocate and, eventually, facing the sorrow of Peter’s death, Marlene relied on the hard-fought resilience and belief in herself that Peter had helped her to develop.

A story of learning and leadership in politics, business, and public service, Rise to the Challenge is a moving portrayal of spirit, perseverance, and grace in the face of daunting personal challenges, supported by unwavering faith in the public good.

About John Kaul

Kaul started working at the Minnesota Senate in 1971, when he was 23. He served as chief of staff to then-Senate Majority Leader Nicholas Coleman, a Democrat, from 1974 to 1980. Later, he worked as a lobbyist for various causes, including chief lobbyist for Minnesota State Universities from 1987 to 1993 and chief lobbyist for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities from 1993 to 2000.

In 2000, he started his own lobbying firm, Capitol Gains, and represented, among others, Washington County, Rochester Public Schools, the Minnesota Hospital Association, Minnesota Twins, Andersen Corp., Minnesota Humanities Commission and the city of Minneapolis. He retired in 2019. –Mary Divine/Pioneer Press