Born: 27 February 1936, United States
Died: NA
Country most active: United States
Also known as: Sonia Ann Harris
This entry is reprinted in full with permission from the National Women’s History Museum (United States of America). All rights reserved.
Sonia Johnson was a fifth-generation Mormon who became active in the campaign to pass the Equal Rights Amendment. In 1977, Johnson co-founded Mormons for ERA. Her activism led to her excommunication from the LDS Church and influenced her decision to run for President.
Passage of the ERA stalled after Indiana became the 35th state to ratify it in 1977. In 1979, Congress extended the ratification deadline to 1982. The passage of the second deadline with no more ratifications motivated Johnson’s 1984 presidential campaign. Nominated by two minor parties for President in 1984–the U.S. Citizens Party and the Peace and Freedom Party–she was the first third-party candidate to qualify for primary matching funds. She received 72,161 votes, or 0.08%.