Women’s History Month: BCS native making impact through service
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Service is in Cheletia Johnson’s DNA.
“Since I was maybe in elementary school, I always wanted to do something for other people, to make other people feel good,” Johnson said.
Johnson is a Brazos Valley native who saw service at home.
“My mama,” Johnson said. “She’s at the top of the list as far as leader and mentorship and the epitome of a strong woman.”
Now, she aims to embody that daily. Johnson is the Lincoln Recreation Center supervisor and has been there for 30 years.
“We serve the people,” Johnson said. “If it’s leisure services, if it’s social services, working with all ages from our 6 to 15 year olds to our 55 and up and then those emerging adults.”
Johnson serves in multiple areas outside of work including the Amber Alert Network Brazos Valley board. She’s also a member of the Brazos Valley Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
She’s been a member of the Divine 9 organization for nearly 20 years and has served as the chapter president, vice president, Delta Academy chair, nomination committee chair and secretary.
“I believe in making an impact, doing whatever needs to be done,” Johnson said. “Everybody should have that same mentality.”
It doesn’t have to take much, according to Johnson.
“All it takes is maybe 14 minutes to do something to impact someone,” Johnson said. “Just using your gifts and talents that He gave you.”
For Johnson, the rewards are the smiles she brings to others and knowing she’s made a difference.
“Imagine what this world would be like if everybody just showed a little heart and a little compassion, and that’s what I wanna do,” Johnson said. “That’s what I wanna be, and I hope that’s who I am.”
