The saying goes that “it takes a village to raise a child.” Before that can happen, a visionary gifted with pragmatic skills often leads the way. A rare person not only distills what is most needed but also understands the most effective means of attaining the goal, and is motivated to find solutions, not fame or glory.
For many years, Cambridge has been fortunate to have such an individual, Portia Johnson-Ennels, a descendent of Harriet Ross Tubman’s birth family, who has similarly devoted her considerable energies to helping those most at risk of being left behind to falter.
Despite dropping out of high school, Johnson-Ennels managed to find direction by joining Job Corps and heading to Jarvis College in Texas, where she studied business. (Daughter Vicky recalled seeing a clipping of a newspaper story being written about her accomplishment.)
One of the founding members of and prime forces behind Cambridge’s Octavene H. Saunders Empowerment Center at 615B Pine Street, Johnson-Ennels became an abiding attendee of Cambridge City Council meetings. During the 2020 election season, despite COVID-19, she worked with the League of Women Voters, helping to get people registered and working at the polls. Prior to the election, she assisted a local church’s efforts to organize food for the holidays for people throughout the community.
Always a private person, Johnson-Ennels never sought the spotlight. Yet her family, her church (Church of Christ in Cambridge), and community circles are well versed in the ongoing civic work she has both sparked and sustained. They treasure her, recognize her contributions, and, to a person, sing her praises.
This past April, Mid-Shore League of Women Voters co-conveners, Glenna Heckathorn and Patricia Comella, issued a special proclamation honoring Johnson-Ennels for her longstanding dedication to their organization and recognizing her tireless record of service to the community.
Reading it is impressive; realizing the number of lives she has touched through her activities is especially inspiring.
Heckathron and Comella felt called to acknowledge her ongoing contributions to the League, which aims to inform and engage voters throughout Dorchester, Talbot, and Caroline counties.
“Portia helped provide vetting questions submitted for our candidate forum, conducted via WHCP radio in 2020 and garnering its widest audience,” Comella noted. She also commended the senior Johnson-Ennels with taking in stride the transition to Zoom, readily mastering the virtual meeting medium.
The League credits her with raising the group’s profile within the African American community, notably forging a partnership with local members of Delta Sigma Theta.
It isn’t possible to read the proclamation and not be impressed by the breadth of her dedication. But realizing how many lives she has affected through her activities is especially inspiring.
“She’s always been all about the kids, getting them what they need, making sure they have access, making sure they have exposure to something new. A lot of kids lack that here, and she’s wanted to help change that,” according to granddaughter Shamya.
Cousin Norman J. Nuton Jr., currently pastor of Church of Christ, New Haven, Connecticut, seconds that sentiment.
“She is an advocate for all children, especially those who are essentially disenfranchised. She will go door to door raising money for funds whether the kids need food, clothes, or programming—she made a huge contribution towards the opening and continuing operation of the Empowerment Center. She has a huge heart, and is a true asset to the Cambridge community,” Nuton stated.
Since she was very young, there’s hardly been a time in Shamya Johnson’s life when she didn’t witness her grandmother giving of herself in some way, despite holding down jobs with Sears, Easton Hospital, and Maple Shade, and being diagnosed with epilepsy in the 1980s.
When Shamya attended Head Start, Ennels-Johnson was there, too, volunteering. By the time she got to elementary school, she’d become a regular “tag-along” with the frequent trips Johnson-Ennels helped sponsor in her effort to expose area youngsters to the possibilities that lie beyond their limited Cambridge experience. She also helped teens find their first neighborhood jobs, such as cutting grass. She supported her granddaughter’s dream of becoming a photographer, purchasing her first camera, later enlisting her skills in her latest mission. Shamya explained:
“Her whole fight in Cambridge has always been about equity, which to her meant just treat everybody equally, and holding people accountable. I can recall when I first started doing photography, she asked me to come back to town one weekend.
“‘I want you to take pictures of every house that looks like slums, and I’m going to take you down to City Council, and they need to figure out what they’re gonna do with these houses because they need to be fixed!’
“And we walked up and down High Street and Pine Street, probably for 10 hours. I felt like we had taken pictures of every house with a sign on it, that you could visually see wasn’t in good condition, and made a portfolio and took it to city council!”
But she worked just as diligently behind the scenes, quietly gathering partnerships and sponsorships from corporations and companies to supply the Empowerment Center’s learning center. “She’s been able to get these children so much technology that people never knew about. And I recall a partnership with the local Board of Education, to make sure those children had transportation from all elementary schools, otherwise the kids wouldn’t have a before and after care program to go to. She was a strong force behind that. She didn’t want or need the recognition, or the glory, or the headlines. But she was very determined it was gonna get done—that’s just her style,” Shamya noted.
Longtime friend Jane Devlin, of the West End Citizens Association, concurred with that assessment. The two met during their overlapping steady attendance to monitor City Council Meetings.
“Portia is a formidable woman. When Portia was in the room, you knew she was there, she was prepared and comfortable with what she was doing. But a lot of people have never seen the good she was doing quietly, and there was so much more that can never be fully quantified,” Devlin stated.
Though they didn’t always agree, they shared a deep concern for their communities. Over the years a deep mutual respect and caring grew, to the degree that Devlin considers Johnson-Ennels family.
“If you were in Portia’s circle, and she needed something, you were there. Because you knew if you needed something from her, she was there,” Devlin noted.
Since late November Johnson-Ennels has been steadily recuperating from illness with characteristic low-key but iron-willed determination, buoyed by the support of family and friends. “Her Church of Christ family, which is definitely her extended family, has been very supportive and helpful during this whole time, Shamya added.
Debra Messick is a retired Dorchester County Public Library associate and lifelong freelance writer. A transplanted native Philadelphian, she has enjoyed residing in Cambridge MD since 1995.
Margaret Anzalone says
Thanks to Debra Messick for acknowledging my friend and fellow Leaguer. One of the most memorable people I got to know in our years in Cambridge, Portia has been a trustworthy partner, a beacon, always there for me to explain, to laugh, to encourage. I was looking forward to her rendition of “Ain’t I a Woman” at our planned celebration of the 19th Amendment when the Pandemic caused its cancellation. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family for her recovery.
Harriett Hankins says
I can only add that I was honored to have Portia as a friend & one who shared the same ideal goals. When Portia saw a need she did something about it.
My love & blessings are with her always. PORTIA YOU ARE A VERY SPECIAL PERSON!!
Harriett Hankins