Shoshana Johnson

A true heroine, and the first African American female POW, Shoshana Johnson was held hostage in Iraq for 22 days after being captured with Jessica Lynch and other members of the 507th Maintenance Company. Specialist Johnson survived the ordeal despite having suffered bullet wounds to both of her ankles. The ambush and its aftermath made world news headlines.

Specialist Johnson retired from the Army on a Temporary Disability Honorable Discharge, and was recognized for her courage, valor, and service to the United States. Among the many awards she received were the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Specialist Johnson's story hardly ends there; before joining the Army, her life was marked by hardship and struggle. It was a strong family tradition of military service, and the goal of working towards a college education, that compelled Johnson to enlist and serve her country.

Now, she details the capture and eventual rescue in her acclaimed new book, I'm Still Standing: From Captive US Soldier to Free Citizen - My Journey Home. Called "a compelling, inspirational read" by Larry King, I’m Still Standing tells Specialist Johnson's patriotic story with the same vivid honesty present in her keynote presentations.