WSNA Mourns the Passing of Cheryl Johnson, RN, President of the United American Nurses (UAN) and the Michigan Nurses Association

The nursing community and the labor movement lost a great champion and a truly vibrant, energetic leader early Sunday morning.

Cheryl L. Johnson, RN, was admitted to the University of Michigan Hospital on Friday, October 19, following a ruptured brain aneurysm. She died early Sunday morning, October 28, 2007 surrounded by her family and friends.

"The nurses in Washington State are deeply shocked and saddened at the passing of Cheryl." commented Kim Armstrong, WSNA President, "Those of us who were privileged to know and work with Cheryl over many years shall be forever changed for that experience. Her untiring efforts and memory will leave a lasting legacy and she will remain in the hearts and minds of all of us. We offer our sincere condolences to her family and nursing colleagues."

At the time of her death, Cheryl was a critical care staff nurse with more than 30 years of experience and practicing full-time at the University of Michigan Health Systems in Ann Arbor, MI. As a national labor leader, she led the fight for greater respect and safer working conditions for all staff nurses. In addition to serving as president of the United American Nurses, AFL-CIO, and spokeswoman for thousands of staff nurses across the country . Johnson played a critical role in the creation of UAN, the labor affiliate of the American Nurses Association . She was elected as the first President of the UAN and had served continuously in that role since it was established in 1999.

In July 2001, Johnson guided the UAN to an historic affiliation with the AFL-CIO and soon was elected to the AFL-CIO Executive Council, where she served as a national voice in the labor community for the interests of nurses. Johnson was one of a few women and the only RN serving on the Council. Johnson also served on the AFL-CIO Executive Committee, the highest governing body of the Federation. In 2005, she was named a vice president for the Coalition of Labor Union Women. Cheryl was identified by Modern Healthcare as one of the "100 Most Powerful People in Health Care."

Johnson, 57, was a resident of Brighton, Mich., and also was recently re-elected as the president of the Michigan Nurses Association. She additionally held many state and local positions during her long union career. She is survived by her daughter, Nikki; son-in-law, Brett; grandson, Jack; and her fiancé, Mitch. Details on a memorial service in Cheryl’s honor are being finalized.