Johnnie Locus has been promoted to director of the DC 37 Hospitals Division after nine years as assistant director. She replaces longtime Director Pat Brooks, who recently retired.

“Pat did an incredible job,” said Ms. Locus. “We plan to continue the great legacy of the division and the best way to do that is to make sure that we put the members first.”

A native of Alabama, Ms. Locus was active in the civil rights movement during high school and marched many times in support of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 1968 she began working at Coler Memorial Hospital as a Nurse Aide/MST. Drawing on her experience as an activist, she was soon elected a Local 420 shop steward, a vice chair and then chapter chair. In 1989 she came to DC 37 as a grievance representative and then became a council rep. Her hard work was rewarded again in 1995 when she was named assistant director of the Hospitals Division.

“A lot of people have shown faith in me,” says Ms. Locus as she begins another chapter at DC 37. “I’m very appreciative of that.”