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Shoshana Johnson

Shoshana Johnson

Keynote Speaker: First African American Woman POW in U.S. War History & Author of "I’m Still Standing"

Shoshana Johnson Biography

Shoshana Nyree Johnson was born in the Republic of Panama to Panamanian parents Claude and Eunice Johnson. Johnson lives in El Paso, Texas near her family.

Johnson was a JROTC cadet in 1991, and an Andress High School graduate. She attended the University of Texas at El Paso, and later joined the US Army in September 1998. She completed the US Army Basic Training Course at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, and the Advance Individual Training, at Ft. Lee, Virginia.

A second-generation Army Veteran, Johnson's first military assignment was at Ft. Carson, Colorado. In February, 2003, at her second military assignment at Ft. Bliss, Texas, Johnson received orders to deploy to Iraq and to carry through her duties as a Food Service Specialist, (92G) with the 507th Maintenance Company, 5/52 Battalion 11th Brigade.

On March 23, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Johnson was in a convoy that was ambushed in the city of an-Nasiriyah. Johnson received a bullet wound to her ankle, causing injuries to both legs. She and 5 other members of the 507th Maintenance Company were captured and taken Prisoners of War. The ambush and its aftermath made world news headlines.

House raids conducted by US Marines in the city of Samarra, Iraq, resulted in the successful rescue of seven POWs on the morning of April 13. Later, Johnson, together with six former POWs, came back to a heroes welcome in the US.

Specialist Johnson retired from the Army on an Honorable Discharge on December 12, 2003. Johnson's awards and decorations include the US Army Service Ribbon, Army Commendation Ribbon, National Defense Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, and the Prisoner of War Medal. US Army officials identified Johnson as the first female POW of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the first black female POW in US war history. Johnson was awarded the Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero by her native country of Panama, it's the highest honor.

Since her return to the United States, Specialist Johnson has received numerous awards, and recognition for her courage, valor, and service to the United States. She graduated from El Paso Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in May 2008. She received her degree in culinary arts (pastry) in May 2011 at the same College.

Johnson has penned a memoir about her experience entitled “I’m Still Standing: From Captured Soldier to Free Citizen-My Journey Home.” The biography was nominated for a NAACP Image Award and is a national bestseller. Johnson plans on pursuing nutrition degree in the near future and when possible advocates for fellow veterans.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Shoshana Johnson and other top speakers and celebrities.

Shoshana Johnson Speaking Topics

The Female Veteran Experience

Johnson discusses navigating life as a female veteran in today’s world, and discusses the several hurdles and disadvantages women face in the US military.

Living in the PTSD Fog

This talk deals with Johnson's life with PTSD after her harrowing time as a POW in the Iraqi war, and how she learned how to ask for help. She also details her struggle with US Military to acknowledge her PTSD from her time in service. In this talk, she helps break the stigma and shame that surrounds PTSD and the veterans that suffer from it.

POW'rful Woman

In Johnson's powerful talk, she details her time as the first-ever African-American woman POW. From her capture in Iraq, to her harrowing three week-imprisonment, up to her eventual rescue. She recounts her moving tale of survival and trauma, and the aftermath that she lives with everyday, including PTSD, adjusting to civilian life, and moving forward from the horrors she experienced.

Shoshana Johnson Videos

Public Service and Sacrifice: A Conversation with Shoshana Johnson
Shoshana Johnson: A Discussion on Survival with the First Black ...
American Veteran | POW Shoshana Johnson's Story | PBS - YouTube

How do I book Shoshana Johnson to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Shoshana Johnson for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Shoshana Johnson, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Shoshana Johnson or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Shoshana Johnson for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Shoshana Johnson, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Shoshana Johnson are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Shoshana Johnson, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Shoshana Johnson speak about?

Shoshana Johnson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Inspirational, Sports Motivation, Diversity, Personal Growth, Political, Black Heritage, Security & Defense, College, Motivational, Government, Military, Veteran, Overcoming Adversity, Social Activism, Influential Women, Culture, Authors, Female Leadership, Women, Mental Health and Women's History Month.

Where does Shoshana Johnson travel from?

Shoshana Johnson generally travels from El Paso, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Shoshana Johnson?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Shoshana Johnson for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Shoshana Johnson for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Shoshana Johnson or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Shoshana Johnson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Inspirational, Sports Motivation and Diversity. The estimated speaking fee range to book Shoshana Johnson for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Shoshana Johnson generally travels from El Paso, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Gail Harris, Rocky Bleier and Monica Pearson. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Shoshana Johnson for an upcoming event.

Shoshana Johnson Speaking Topics

  • The Female Veteran Experience

    Johnson discusses navigating life as a female veteran in today’s world, and discusses the several hurdles and disadvantages women face in the US military.

  • Living in the PTSD Fog

    This talk deals with Johnson's life with PTSD after her harrowing time as a POW in the Iraqi war, and how she learned how to ask for help. She also details her struggle with US Military to acknowledge her PTSD from her time in service. In this talk, she helps break the stigma and shame that surrounds PTSD and the veterans that suffer from it.

  • POW'rful Woman

    In Johnson's powerful talk, she details her time as the first-ever African-American woman POW. From her capture in Iraq, to her harrowing three week-imprisonment, up to her eventual rescue. She recounts her moving tale of survival and trauma, and the aftermath that she lives with everyday, including PTSD, adjusting to civilian life, and moving forward from the horrors she experienced.

Shoshana Johnson Videos

Public Service and Sacrifice: A Conversation with Shoshana Johnson
Shoshana Johnson: A Discussion on Survival with the First Black ...
American Veteran | POW Shoshana Johnson's Story | PBS - YouTube
Follow-Up: First Female African-American Prisoner of War

Shoshana Johnson Reviews

  • City of Orlando - Sep 18 2023

  • Working with Shoshana was a pleasure!
    Blue Shield of California - Jul 10 2023

  • MassMutual - Dec 01 2021

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SHOSHANA JOHNSON

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