Edith Johnson, legal secretary, owned EGO Studios
Nov. 3, 1930 -- Oct. 28, 2009
Edith C. Johnson, a legal secretary and owner of EGO Studios, which has worked for more than 40 years to guide and empower young Buffalo women, died Wednesday in Millard Fillmore Hospital after a brief illness. She was 78.
The seventh of 14 children born in Toronto to British West Indies emigrants, Edith Carter moved to Buffalo after marrying Theodore Johnson in 1956.
She worked for attorneys, and at Studio Arena Theatre School met a dietitian named Ollie Harris, who in turn introduced her to Grace Diamond, a former model who asked Mrs. Johnson to be a commentator for her fashion shows.
With her elegant manner and careful diction, she fit the role perfectly, and after several successful shows in the early 1960s, the three women opened EGO Studios on Main Street near East Utica Street.
The organization offered instruction in walking and posture, conversation, wardrobe planning and manicures to inspire girls' self-development."The emphasis is feeling good about yourself," Mrs. Johnson said in a 2006 interview. "I feel if you start from the outside, it will penetrate a bit on the inside, because that's where I want their strength to be."
Exercise equipment, therapeutic massage and a sauna were later added to the program.
Early on, Mrs. Johnson took her young followers to Toronto for dinner and a theater production of "Porgy and Bess." It was the first of many excursions she would lead over the years.
"I wanted all of the girls to know this is the world you live in, these are the things that go on, you can aspire to have this type of lifestyle, and that requires you to continue your education and make something of yourself," she said.
In 1967, two years after starting EGO, Mrs. Johnson bought out her partners and continued the studio on her own.
Known throughout the legal community, she spent most of her career at the firm of Williams, Stevens, McCarville and Frizzell, and before falling ill two months ago was with Cellino & Barnes for seven years.
Though she never went to law school, "she could easily have been a lawyer," said her friend Lois L. Johnson. "Her writing was amazing."
She managed charitable grants for the Josephine Goodyear Foundation for several years and was the author of "Only the Cash Flow is Low," a 2006 book of folksy sayings, tales and lessons she and her siblings heard from their parents.
Mrs. Johnson received many honors, including a citation from the National Conference on Community and Justice, a 2004 Black Achiever Award and -- last month -- a community service award from the Buffalo Chapter of Black Social Workers. A memorial fund in her name to spur positive change in city youngsters was recently established by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.
Survivors include five sisters, Geraldine, Doris, Kathleen, Maryce and Jean, and a brother, George.
A service will be at 3 p.m. Nov. 15 in St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 18 Sussex Ave.
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