Johnson named to Michigan Women's Hall of Fame

Dorothy A. Johnson, noted philanthropist and namesake of Grand Valley’s Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, will be inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame on October 30 at a ceremony in East Lansing.

Johnson is one of a dozen honorees who will be recognized at the event.

Johnson has served as a trustee and chair of the Grand Valley Board of Trustees, and served as the president and CEO of the Council of Michigan Foundations from 1975 to 2000. She also served as chair of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Two U.S. presidents have appointed her to the board of the Corporation for National and Community Service. She is also a former member of the board of National City Bank Corporation and AAA-Michigan. 

Johnson remains extremely involved in the community and continues to serve many philanthropic organizations. She was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grand Rapids Economic Club in 2009, and was awarded the Distinguished Grantmaker of the Year award from the Council on Foundations in 2000.

Johnson has been recognized as a Woman of Achievement by the Michigan Women’s Foundation and honored as the Counterpoint Woman of the Year. She is a member of the Grand Valley Hall of Fame, and also received an honorary degree.