Cheryl Johnson papers
Scope and Contents
The Cheryl Johnson papers date from 1977 to 2022 and measure 2 linear inches in 3 containers (2 folders and 1 multi-collection oversize flat box). This collection contains materials related to Johnson’s time as the 36th Clerk of the House of Representatives. The collection consists of the House of Representatives resolution appointing Johnson as the Clerk, Office of the Clerk semiannual reports, invitations, photographs, and the 1977 “Freshperson Record,” a yearbook for incoming freshmen at the University of Iowa. Johnson is pictured in the yearbook.
Dates
- Creation: 1977 - 2022
Creator
- Johnson, Cheryl Lynn, 1960- (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The papers are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to the University of Iowa.
Copyright status for collection materials may be unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility and potential liability based on copyright infringement for any use rests exclusively and solely with the user. Users must properly acknowledge University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections and Archives as the source of the material. For further information, visit the Special Collections and Archives website.
Biographical / Historical
Cheryl Lynn Johnson was born May 8, 1960, to Cynthia Terry Davis and Austin Johnson in New Orleans, Louisiana. She attended the University of Iowa and graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communication. In 1984, Johnson earned a JD degree from Howard University.
Johnson served as the 36th Clerk of the United States House of Representatives from February 2019 to June 2023. She was the second African American woman to do so. Johnson served as the Speaker of the House from January 3, 2023, to January 7, 2023, after the House failed to elect a Speaker of the House. Typically, the Clerk of the House serves as the Speaker for mere minutes until the House elects a Speaker. She was the first African American woman and person of color to serve in this position.
In 2025, Johnson was appointed to the Board of the Office of Congressional Conduct, an office which oversees investigations of alleged violations of “law, rule, regulation, or other standard of conduct” by a “member, officer, or employee of the House”.
Full Extent
2 linear inches
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
36th Clerk of the United States House of Representatives from 2019-2023. Collection includes materials related to position as Clerk and a freshmen yearbook from the University of Iowa.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers (donor no. 1735) were donated by Cheryl Johnson in 2024.
- Author
- Kaitlyn Evers
- Date
- 2025
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Iowa Women's Archives Repository
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5068
319-335-5900 (Fax)
lib-women@uiowa.edu