Jerry Ann Johnson: Leader, Advocate, and Organizer

Abstract

This article examines the life, work and contributions of Jerry Ann Johnson, who was president of the American Occupational Therapy Association from 1973-78 during a pivotal time of Association reorganization. Specifically, for the first time, all fifty states had functioning occupational therapy associations as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Johnson addressed issues that included professionalism versus semi-professionalism, characteristics of a profession and leadership, credentialing processes including licensure and continued competency, community and private practice, and the need for graduate education and research. Over her career, her prolific writing offers profession historical knowledge during the growth of occupational therapy in the 1970's and1980's.