Faulkner was one of two people to receive a "Woman of Courage" award at NOW's national conference in Columbus, Ohio, July 22. She delivered a keynote speech that was carried on C-SPAN and participated in a NOW rally at the Ohio State Capitol.
"She is a real trooper," said Johnson. "She bravely faced more than two years of unprecedented hostility, from the school as an institution and her fellow cadets as individuals, as well as the added pressure of media scrutiny.
"When Shannon Faulkner was marching during hell week exercises with other cadets, she was the only cadet marching with extra weight on her shoulders, with the eyes of an entire nation on her," said Johnson. "And Shannon Faulkner marched alone. When Black children integrated public schools in Little Rock, nine of them entered the school building together. When the first women attended West Point, 119 of them marched in together.
"Shannon Faulkner had to stand alone. She had neither a court order nor a change in military policy to allow others to join her in her legal challenge."
Faulkner has also received strong support from South Carolina NOW. Greenville S.C. NOW President Suzanne Coe was lead counsel in her case. Faulkner also addressed the South Carolina NOW's annual conference.
"The real heat Shannon Faulkner faced came from hostility and isolation, not from the South Carolina sun," said Johnson.
During her 20-year military career, Johnson served as a nurse officer at a time when less than two percent of the military was female. She was named "Nurse of the Year" at the Air Force's largest military center and also received several other awards for outstanding performance.
To arrange interviews with Johnson or other top NOW officials this weekend, contact NOW Press Secretary Melinda Shelton at 301/588-6136.