 
Assembly Resolution No. 671
 
BY: M. of A. Lupardo
 
        CELEBRATING   the   life  and  accomplishments  of
        Margaret R. Johnston, staunch supporter  of  women's
        rights,  distinguished citizen and devoted member of
        her community
 
  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York  whose  lifework  and  civic  endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Margaret  R.  Johnston  of  Binghamton,  New York, died on
Saturday, May 13, 2023, at the age of 74; friends, colleagues and family
members will gather together on Sunday, June 25, 2023, to share memories
and pay tribute to a remarkable woman who  greatly  contributed  to  the
advancement of our culture at Atomic Tom's in her beloved hometown; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Margaret  Ruth  Johnston,  affectionately known to many as
Peg, was born to Ruth (Freeman) and Robert Clark Johnston in Binghamton,
where she lived her entire life; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Margaret  R.  Johnston  distinguished   herself   in   her
profession and by her sincere dedication and substantial contribution to
the welfare of her community; and
 
  WHEREAS, This remarkable woman truly strived to make her community a
better  place  for  its  residents  to  live,  work,  play  and learn by
volunteering her time and energy to numerous local organizations such as
VINES  and  SHIFT;  she  also  co-founded  the  binghamton  bridge,  and
maintained  its  website and worked on the weekly newsletters for years;
and
 
  WHEREAS, A  woman  of  many  passions  and  interests,  Margaret  R.
Johnston  was  actively  involved  in  the  Center  for Gender, Art, and
Culture; Cooperative Gallery  213  and  the  Department  of  Public  Art
Project which has contributed many murals to the Triple Cities; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Margaret  R.  Johnston  was  a strong supporter of women's
rights and their reproductive choices and served as the voice of many as
Executive Director of the Southern Tier Women's Services in Vestal,  New
York,  President  of  the  Abortion  Conversation  Projects, founder and
President of the National Coalition of Abortion Providers,  and  founder
of  the  Abortion  Care  Network  and  served  as  Board  President from
2008-2010; and
 
  WHEREAS, In addition, Margaret R. Johnston maintained the  Elisabeth
Freeman  online  archive which was devoted to the famous suffragette and
civil rights worker; and
 
  WHEREAS, Margaret  R.  Johnston  is  survived  by  one  nephew,  Ken
Johnston;   one  niece,  Susan  Jenkins;  and  her  best  friends,  Luba
Djurdjinovic, Claudia Stallman and Laurie  Ryan,  as  well  as  numerous
colleagues who will long cherish her memory; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Armed  with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Margaret R. Johnston leaves behind a legacy which will  long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
she served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
 
  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life and accomplishments of Margaret R. Johnston,  staunch
supporter of women's rights, distinguished citizen and devoted member of
her community; and be it further
 
  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Margaret R. Johnston.
Celebrating the life and accomplishments of Margaret R. Johnston

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