Johns, Edith Emerald, 1915-1999

Edith Emerald Johns was born January 19, 1915, on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska. She was given the Winnebago name Patche-Ka-Danga, or "Keeper of the Home Fires," and was also known as Edith Big Fire Johns. As a child, Johns attended boarding schools far from her family and community, then moved on to nursing school in Ft. Wayne, Indiana where she received an R.N. certificate. Arriving in Chicago in 1939, Johns worked at several areas hospitals, including Bethany Hospital and Illinois Masonic Medical Center. She soon became active in Chicago's Native American community, co-founding the Chicago American Indian Center and serving on its Board of Directors from 1960 to 1971. She also worked as a caseworker at St. Augustine's Center for the American Indian, and was a founding member of the staff of Native American Educational Services College. Johns was committed to lifelong learning, earning a bachelor's degree from the College of St. Francis when she was in her sixties. At age 65, she joined the Peace Corps and served for two years as a health care worker in the West Indies. After her retirement, she continued to serve as a volunteer at Pacific Garden Mission, the Cook County Court Watcher Program, and Travelers and Immigrants Aid. She traveled extensively to reservations across the United States, as well as to international locations such as Israel, Australia, new Zealand, Italy, and England. Johns' service was recognized by her inductions into the Chicago Women's Hall of Fame and the Senior Citizens Hall of Fame of the City of Chicago. Edith Johns died on June 10, 1999.

From the description of Native American Educational Services Edith E. Johns papers, 1959-1999 (inclusive) (University of Chicago Library). WorldCat record id: 733352717

Edith Emerald Johns was born January 19, 1915, on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska. She was given the Winnebago name Patche-Ka-Danga, or "Keeper of the Home Fires," and was also known as Edith Big Fire Johns.

As a child, Johns attended boarding schools far from her family and community, then moved on to nursing school in Ft. Wayne, Indiana where she received an R.N. certificate.

Arriving in Chicago in 1939, Johns worked at several areas hospitals, including Bethany Hospital and Illinois Masonic Medical Center. She soon became active in Chicago's Native American community, co-founding the Chicago American Indian Center and serving on its Board of Directors from 1960 to 1971. She also worked as a caseworker at St. Augustine's Center for the American Indian, and was a founding member of the staff of Native American Educational Services College.

Johns was committed to lifelong learning, earning a bachelor's degree from the College of St. Francis when she was in her sixties. At age 65, she joined the Peace Corps and served for two years as a health care worker in the West Indies. After her retirement, she continued to serve as a volunteer at Pacific Garden Mission, the Cook County Court Watcher Program, and Travelers and Immigrants Aid. She traveled extensively to reservations across the United States, as well as to international locations such as Israel, Australia, new Zealand, Italy, and England.

Johns' service was recognized by her inductions into the Chicago Women's Hall of Fame and the Senior Citizens Hall of Fame of the City of Chicago. Edith Johns died on June 10, 1999.

From the guide to the Native American Educational Services. Johns, Edith E. Papers, 1959-1999, (Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.)