Dr. Fruzsi Johnson of William Carey University has been named 2020 Mississippi Mother the Year by American Mothers Inc. She was nominated by her daughter, Sara, a six-grade student at Sacred Heart Catholic School.
“An old friend told me and my dad about the Mother of the Year award. In the nomination, I had to talk about my mom’s parenting style. I said the best thing is, when something’s gone wrong and I might be in trouble, she’s always willing to talk about what happened instead of just yelling,” Sara Johnson said.
Dr. Johnson said it’s a special honor.
“I’m very aware that Sara’s a unique person and not a miniature version of me. I respect her choices and try to help her be the person she wants to be. I don’t make her wear certain clothes, or eat certain foods, or act a certain way. Right now, she’s thinking she might want to be a lawyer.”
Dr. Fruzsi Johnson and her husband, Dr. Robert Johnson, are both professors of preclinical science at the WCU College of Osteopathic Medicine.
“We’re all so proud of Dr. Fruzsi for this wonderful recognition, but it’s not surprising. She has a caring and compassionate approach as a teacher, too, and her students appreciate it. In 2017, they chose her as our faculty member of the year,” said Dr. Italo Subbarao, dean of WCU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine.
In April, Dr. Fruzsi Johnson and other state honorees will travel to Washington, D.C., for the 85th National Convention of American Mothers Inc. – and one state winner will be named National Mother of the Year.