Our tribute to
Sherona Johnson – Hall
April 26, 1948 – December 30, 2006
Community Leader, Activist, Mother, Friend First-born daughter of Harold Johnson and Clementina Gale, Sherona Hall grew up in a family of -5 brothers and sisters in Kingston, Jamaica. Witnessing the impoverished conditions within her community, she was inspired to take action. At an early age, she dedicated herself to promoting human and civil rights.
As a teen, so influenced was she by the body politic of the day in her native Jamaica that she became the co-founder and secretary of the Youth League of the People's National Party of Jamaica.
Additionally, Sherona supported the fight for independence in Southern Africa throughout the late 1970's by participating in seminars, open discussions and demonstrations, thus keeping the focus of the peoples struggle constant within the media - and on the minds of many concerned Canadians.
She always defended the aims and objectives of the youth throughout her community work as well. Sherona never wavered in her advocacy. Whether it was affordable housing for youth, employment issues or the struggles faced by youth caught up inside the criminal justice system, she always stood firm in the belief that political education and cultural awareness were seminal to youth achieving in this world.
She worked for over 30 years as a court reporter, the last two decades in her own firm, thereby creating a template for business entrepreneurship while opening doors for employment of young men and women pursuing this field. She struggled alongside her fellow sisters and brothers to help give a voice to African women and marginalized groups in a political context therefore providing a space for political dialogue to occur.
At the age of only 59, Sherona's decades of tireless, organizing, campaigning, personal sacrifice and boundless generosity leave an unforgettable legacy for thousands of people in Toronto, Jamaica, across Canada and around the world.
To cherish her memory, she leaves her son, Lowell Ruddy and brothers, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Sherona Johnson – Hall
April 26, 1948 – December 30, 2006
