Kathryn Johnson Covered Stories Regarding The Civil Rights Movement
Civil Rights reporter Kathryn Johnson died in Atlanta on Wednesday. The former Associated Press reporter was known for her riveting news stories about the rise and death of Martin Luther King Jr. She was 93.
Johnson started reporting on King when he was simply known as a preacher of Atlanta church Ebenezer Baptist Church. The day that King was assassinated, April 4, 1968, Johnson was the only reporter invited into the Civil Rights leader’s home. Johnson was the first to report happenings with King’s family and funeral arrangements, thanks to the openness of King’s wife, Coretta Scott King.
“Kathryn Johnson was essential reading on one of the most important stories of the 20th century,” Executive Editor of the Associated Press Sally Buzbee said. “She did it by being at the center of the action, close to the most important newsmakers.”
Starting at AP as a secretary in 1979, Johnson wasn’t granted a reporter position for another 12 years. When she finally got the opportunity she began covering stories on school integration, prisoners of war, racial injustices and foreign affairs. Later in her career she would transition to roles at U.S. News & World Report and CNN.
In 2016, Johnson penned a book about her reporting experience covering the civil rights movement called “My Time With The Kings”.
