Rise to the Challenge

By Carol Van Why, Library Committee

​Marlene Johnson was at Coffman recently to talk about her time as Lieutenant Governor and her recently published memoir, Rise to the Challenge: A Memoir of Politics, Leadership and Love. Rudy Perpich selected Johnson to run with him in Minnesota’s 1982 gubernatorial race.
 
This was Johnson’s first run for public office. I wondered what sort of background would have given the girl who grew up in small town Braham, MN, the confidence to run for a high-level state office.
 
Perhaps she was influenced by her father’s advocacy work on behalf of rural electrification. Maybe it was the college years at Macalester where she was involved at the precinct level with Eugene McCarthy’s 1968 bid for the presidential nomination. Or maybe it can be traced to a very young age when she was a 4-H member. Johnson claims that the “4-H pledge became her world view.” ​

​Whatever the trajectory, Johnson’s memoir is a worthwhile read that charts her life in and after state government. The chapters of the book that show Johnson’s true character and grit make up the last third of the memoir.

For the next month or so, unless it’s signed out to another Coffman reader, look for Johnson’s book on the Recent and Relevant shelves. Thereafter, find it shelved under “Johnson” in the Library’s Biography section.