Commission on Human Rights
Executive Director John J. Johnson Receives the Charles Anderson Laureate Award

LOUISVILLE – Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Executive Director John J. Johnson today was a recipient of the Charles Anderson Laureate Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The award was signed by Governor Steve Beshear and was presented by Nikki Jackson, Personnel Cabinet Secretary, Tim Longmeyer, Deputy Secretary, Personnel Cabinet, and Michele Lawlis, Executive Director, Office of Diversity and Equality, at the Governor’s EEO Conference Luncheon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Louisville.

The Charles Anderson Laureate Award is the Personnel Cabinet’s recognition of outstanding achievement in the areas of justice and equality.      

Charles W. Anderson, Jr. joined the Kentucky General Assembly in January of 1936 and served

five consecutive terms. He became the first African American legislator in Kentucky, and the South, sworn into office since the Reconstruction Era. Throughout his tenure, Anderson was the catalyst for legislation guaranteeing opportunities for African-American students and the prohibition of racial discrimination in hiring on public building projects. He dedicated his career to equal treatment, and spearheaded a movement to allow female teachers to keep their positions after marriage. He also served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Jefferson County in 1946 and culminated his public service in 1960 when he was named as an Alternate

United States Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly by the President of the United States. Because of his dedication and commitment to racial and social issues, the Personnel Cabinet created this award in his honor.

The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights is the state government agency that enforces the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and federal civil rights laws, all of which make discrimination illegal.

-30-