Rise to the Challenge: A Memoir of Politics, Leadership, and Love

by Marlene M. Johnson

The inspiring life story of Minnesota’s first woman lieutenant breaking political ground, navigating patriarchal tradition, and persevering through great personal loss

Marking a milestone for women in state government, Marlene M. Johnson became Minnesota’s first woman lieutenant governor under Rudy Perpich’s gubernatorial administration in January 1983. That same year, she met her husband, Peter, and their deeply loving relationship profoundly sustained her for twenty-seven years. Rise to the Challenge weaves these personal and professional stories together in a courageous portrait of dedication and leadership.

Growing up in rural Minnesota, Johnson began organizing and advocating for change early, beginning with a campaign to introduce foreign languages into her high school curriculum. Pursuing a deeply felt commitment to improving the lives of others, she continued to sharpen her leadership skills throughout her life, participating in activist work in college, cofounding organizations to support women entrepreneurs and politicians, and eventually running an international education nonprofit.

A stalwart supporter, her husband gave Marlene strength and encouragement to face the challenges of the political landscape and its gender biases. Then, in 2010, he suffered a traumatic brain injury that would change both of their lives. Learning how to be a medical advocate and, eventually, facing the sorrow of Peter’s death, Marlene relied on the hard-fought resilience and belief in herself that Peter had helped her to develop.

A story of learning and leadership in politics, business, and public service, Rise to the Challenge is a moving portrayal of spirit, perseverance, and grace in the face of daunting personal challenges, supported by unwavering faith in the public good.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Politics

248 pages, Hardcover

Published September 24, 2024

Reviews

[DaveNelda Eitreim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read. I was fortunate to meet her at a book event. A dynamic leader and a caring advocate for her husband after his severe injury.

[Robert Stableski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir reflects the twists and turns of a life: navigating a number of career changes involving politics, private sector and non-profits, while also supporting a transatlantic marriage. The ability to learn from various events in each of these experiences and to integrate that learning into her behavior and world view is what makes this autobiography special. The final chapters, where she rises to the challenge of caring for her Swedish husband after a brain injury while holding down a job in Washington is particularly moving.

[Rachel Wobschall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of working with Marlene when she was lieutenant governor. It was wonderful to remember such energetic and happy times during the Perpich administration. Marlene’s candor and compassion as well as self revelation are on full display in this memoir.
Perhaps even more compelling is the description of her journey after her beloved husband’s injury. A must read for anyone navigating a life changing experience.
This memoir documents a life well lived.

[Betty Soppelsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring story of leadership about Minnesota's first woman lieutenant governor whose spirit, dedication, and intellect led to a life of service. Her trans-Atlantic care for her husband following his accident is a testament to her ability to navigate in a second culture and to her steadfast love.

[Barb Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captivated me from start to finish. As a Minnesotan, I enjoyed gaining behind-the-scenes insights into people and events I remember. But even more, I appreciated how the author detailed her leadership journey, offering practical and valuable guidance based on the lessons she's learned over a distinguished career as an entrepreneur, politician, and non-profit chief executive. She openly shares interesting professional life stories along with deeply moving personal experiences while caring for her husband, weaving them all into a story that kept me engaged from beginning to end. Highly recommend, especially to current or aspiring female leaders.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m excited to meet the author in person next week. I learned many fascinating things about her career and early life!

[John Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My wife picked up this book when she heard Marlene Johnson describe and read from this book at a local bookstore here in Moorhead, MN. A week or so later, I met Marlene Johnson at the Twin Cities Book Festival at the U of MN Press where she was selling her book. We had a 5-10 minute conversation. I could relate to much in the book as I had lived in Minnesota during the Perpich years when Marlene Johnson had served as Minnesota's first woman lieutenant governor (the first of many); her involvement with the DFL, a party which I, too, have been involved with for many years; her work as head of NAFSA which I knew from years at the International Study and Travel Center at the U of MN; and finally, her Swedish connection through her Swedish husband, Peter, and my own Swedish heritage. I found the first part of the book which details her own career choices and her move into state government and later career choices read more like a business book, but the book becomes quite moving in the second half as she meets and falls in love with her Swedish husband and they work on developing an international marriage between the US and Sweden for 30+ years. When he is hit by a stroke or some other issue, he is confined to a hospital or care facility for the last almost ten years of his life, she details how she cared for him but also maintained her work with NAFSA spending part of each month in Sweden and part in the US. The book started out somewhat dry, but becomes quite moving in the end.

[Alicia Tompkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marlene Johnson has led a fascinating life full of firsts! She is a self starter, a life long learner, and, as a woman, she was a leader of change not only not accepting no, or we have never done this before and working to change things. She listened to criticism and made changes like when she was ignoring her staff members because she as an introvert was tired of interacting-- and being told she need to set the tone for the office.

This is an unusual comment but I did not like the physical layout of the book--it seemed cramped-- I thought it needed more space between paragraphs, and as a result each time I opened the book, I did not feel drawn in. Moreover, one reader commented that the first half of the book read more like a business text and I agree with that comment. The second half is more personal what with her husband's fall/stroke but even so I felt the book read a bit like a book report. I did this, I did that. all that said, I think this book is worth picking up.
Even as a teen, Marlene was forging new paths and living a life that many women would aspire to and before this she was someone I had never heard of.

[Kevin Winge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marlene Johnson’s Rise to the Challenge: A Memoir of Politics, Leadership, and Love, is an honest and poignant look at the life of a trailblazing leader. Ms. Johnson, Minnesota’s first female Lieutenant Governor, details her early activism which led to her serving as Lieutenant Governor for eight years. Her accomplishments as Lieutenant Governor leaves the reader wondering what more she could have accomplished for the state of Minnesota and our country had she succeeded Rudy Perpich as Governor. It’s a rare memoir that presents the totality of the author’s life and Ms. Johnson recounts her international marriage to Peter Frankel with the same authenticity with which she describes her career. How she balanced a career in Washington, DC, while caring for her Swedish husband who suffered a debilitating injury in 2010 and died in 2019, is moving and inspiring. Rise to the Challenge is a playbook for how to make a positive difference in the world.

[Mindy Greiling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the backstory of Minnesota politics before I arrived on the state-level scene. Most of all, however, I loved reading about Marlene's long journey with the care and ambiguous loss of her beloved husband to a traumatic brain injury. On both courts, she is an amazing woman.

[Becky Loader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this out of pure curiosity.
Not the best political bio I have read.