Vallory Johnson was a daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, friend, woman, African-American, worker, warrior, businesswoman, designer and seamstress, leader and Highland Parker. Vallory Johnson loved her family, her friends and her city. She was involved in different civil and community activities to secure a quality of life for all citizens in Highland Park and the metropolitan area. She felt that money should not make a difference in the ability to enjoy the necessities of life, or to access our human right to have food, clothing, shelter, recreation, education, a clean environment, health care and jobs.

Vallory Johnson worked on numerous activities and projects throughout her life. She and her husband William Johnson (who preceded her in death) opened the first African-American Barber Shop in Highland Park that was located on Woodward. The shop was popular in the community and it was known as a social club, where one could get both a hair cut and a political education. Vallory, William and Billy (their son, who preceded her in death also) were some of the first Highland Parkers involved in the early struggles for everyone to have a right to water. They were also outstanding leaders and champions in the fight to save Highland Park from becoming a medical waste dump. Vallory was an active member of the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and fought hard for people to have a right to all utilities. She was one of the founders and served as co-chair of the Highland Park Human Rights Coalition, organized because thousands of Highland Parkers and Detroiters were experiencing water disconnections. She helped to lead the fight to get the Governor of Michigan to come to Highland Park to listen to the community, an action that lead to a moratorium against water shut-offs for the city. You could always hear Vallory saying;

"Water is a Human Right." Just months ago, she helped to organize a group of Highland Parkers who called themselves "The Group." Their purpose is to feed the hungry, help the homeless, feed the firefighters, and help with the clean up of Highland Park.

Mrs. Johnson was always working to improve the quality of life for her community. One of her last organizing tasks was to get the women of Highland Park to plant flowers throughout city. Vallory loved beautiful things and she fought for Highland Park to return to its former beauty where the residents could not just survive—but thrive. We pledge to continue the work of Mrs. Vallory Johnson, a leader and a champion for all of humanity. In memory of Vallory Johnson.