Rep. Gloria Johnson to speak to Democratic Women’s Club Thursday

Tennessee Rep. Gloria Johnson, a freshman legislator representing Knoxville House District 13, will report on the current legislative session in Nashville as guest speaker when the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20.

The meeting will be held in the Club Room of the Clinton Community Center, 101 S. Hicks Street. Cost of the dinner is $10 per person. For reservations, e-mail Ann Mostoller at amostoller@msw-law.com or call Mary Matheny at (865) 483-8937.

Johnson, who is seeking re-election this year, supports empowering communities to strengthen neighborhood public schools, preparing youth to win good-paying jobs, and expanding Medicaid so every Tennessean can see a doctor if they get sick, a press release said.

Johnson is a Knox County teacher with 25 years of experience in educating special needs students. A graduate of Farragut High School, she earned her education degree from the University of Tennessee.

She became politically active in President Obama’s first campaign, organizing volunteers in Knox County for the presidential race. In 2009, she ran for and was elected chair of the Knox County Democratic Party, and in 2012, she was elected state representative, succeeding Rep. Harry Tindell. She is a member of the House Health Committee and the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, the press release said.