As the Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Awards prepares to celebrate its 2026 Awards and Induction Ceremony on Friday, March 20, we close out the Women of Excellence (WOE) interview series with the Honorable Justice Sharon Oden Johnson, a judge on the Illinois Appellate Court.
We had the opportunity to speak with Johnson, whose career reflects a steadfast commitment to fairness, service and community impact.
In her role on the bench, Johnson approaches every case — and every opportunity to serve — with both gravity and purpose. Beyond the courtroom, she is widely regarded as an advocate for the people, a mentor to emerging legal minds and a leader committed to ensuring that justice is not only applied, but fully understood.
Throughout her career, Justice Johnson says she has learned that success in the legal profession requires more than knowledge of the law. It demands reliability, consistency and, above all, trust.
“Trust is everything,” she explained. “Once people believe that you are committed to seeking truth and fairness, it opens the door for meaningful change.”
Yet despite her many accomplishments, Johnson views her journey as far from finished. For her, leadership is not about personal accolades but about continuing to serve as a light in spaces where fairness and equity are still being pursued.
Below is our conversation with Justice Johnson. As part of the WOE interview series, each honoree was asked similar questions, offering readers a deeper look into the journeys, motivations, and impact of the remarkable women being recognized this year. Learn more about Johnson’s story, what continues to propel her forward, and how she remains committed to exceeding expectations through service and leadership.
Honored for the Work | How does it feel to be honored as a 2026 Chicago Defender, woman of Excellence recipient?
Being named a 2026 Chicago Defender Woman of Excellence is a recognition Johnson says she receives with both gratitude and humility.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “I have to resist the temptation to fall into imposter syndrome and remind myself that my hard work and perseverance are paying off. I’m honored to be in the company of such incredible co-honorees.”
Like many leaders who spend years focused on service, Johnson admits the recognition sometimes feels surreal.
“You put your head down and do the work,” she said. “So it’s meaningful when others acknowledge your commitment and dedication to your craft.”
Representation Matters in the Courtroom | Your work has created measurable change in your community. What specific problem did you see that compelled you to lead and how did you decide to approach? I’m sorry. Did you hear that feedback?
For Johnson, one of the driving forces behind her career has been the importance of representation within the judiciary.
“It may sound cliché, but we need a diverse judiciary,” she said. “People need to see individuals who look like them — and who may share similar experiences — in positions of authority.”
She explained that when individuals enter a courtroom, seeing someone who understands their lived experience can bring a sense of reassurance.
“You want to feel like you have a fighting chance,” she said. “You want to believe that the person making decisions about your life will truly hear you.”
Johnson believes justice must move beyond simple equality to embrace equity — acknowledging the unseen factors that shape people’s lives and experiences.
“Equality gives everyone the same thing,” she said. “But equity considers what people actually need to stand on equal ground.”
Her background growing up on Chicago’s South Side, she says, helps her evaluate cases with a deeper understanding of context and community realities. Those lived experiences inform the perspective she brings to the bench.
As an appellate court judge, Johnson reviews cases with the responsibility of ensuring fairness and correcting possible injustices.
“Our role is to take a second look,” she explained. “We examine whether biases — even implicit ones — may have influenced a verdict or sentencing.”
The Sacrifices Behind Leadership Leadership often requires sacrifice. What is something that you gave up or had to push through that people don’t often see behind your success?
While leadership carries prestige, Johnson says it also requires significant personal sacrifice — something many people rarely see.
“You miss valuable time with your family,” she said. “Even when court ends for the day, the work doesn’t stop. We’re still researching, writing opinions and reviewing cases.”
The path to the bench required years of dedication, including law school, building professional credibility and earning the trust of voters.
Johnson was first elected to the circuit court in 2010 and later elected to the appellate court in 2020.
In her earlier years, she recalls watching friends travel and enjoy life while she focused on paying student loans and building her career.
“But now I’m beginning to see the reward of that sacrifice,” she said.
Judges also live under intense scrutiny, she added. From the way they present themselves in public to the people they associate with, maintaining the integrity of the judiciary is a constant responsibility.
“We’re held to a higher standard,” she said. “People are always watching.”
Defining Success on the Bench | Impact is more than intention. How do you measure success in your work and what outcomes matter most to you?
Johnson measures success by the impact her decisions have beyond the courtroom.
In the appellate court, rulings often set precedents that guide how future cases are decided across the state.
“If we can correct an injustice and that ruling affects families across Illinois, that’s meaningful,” she said.
One case she reflected on involved multiple family members who were convicted following a violent altercation. Upon review, Johnson and her panel ultimately reversed the convictions.
The outcome not only changed the lives of those directly involved but also prevented generations of consequences that could have followed.
“Even one case like that makes the work worth it,” she said.
A Defining Moment | What moment in your journey most shaped the woman you are today and why?
While many moments shaped Johnson’s journey, she points to the birth of her daughter as the most transformative. “When my daughter was born, I developed a sense of urgency,” she said.
At the time, Johnson was working as an attorney. Her daughter was three years old when Johnson was elected to the circuit court.
Motherhood changed the way she viewed the legal system. “The children of the families who come before me in court will interact with my child,” she explained. “That realization made me think differently about my role and responsibility.”
Her decade presiding over domestic relations cases deepened that perspective.
“I realized that when families succeed, communities succeed,” she said.
Work Still to Be Done | You’ve accomplished so much, which is why you’re being honored; however, what work still feels unfinished for you, and why does it matter so deeply? How will this acknowledgement bring light to that endeavor?
Though honored for her achievements, Johnson remains focused on the future. One of her long-term goals is to seek election to the Supreme Court of Illinois.
“I would ultimately like to be elected to the Illinois Supreme Court and continue serving the people of this state,” she said.
Equally important to her is mentoring young people and aspiring attorneys. “If I can help guide the next generation and continue making a positive impact across Illinois, that would mean everything.”
Finding Balance | When you’re not working, how do you usually relax or recharge?
When she does find time to recharge, Johnson prioritizes family. She currently helps care for her 95-year-old grandmother while also supporting her daughter.
“I’m part of the sandwich generation right now,” she said.
When possible, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and traveling — simple moments that help her step away from the demands of the bench. But even during quieter moments, Johnson remains mindful of the legacy she hopes to leave behind.
“I want people to say that I cared,” she said. “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Johnson is a bright light — determined to succeed not only for herself, but for those who will follow in her footsteps. For that reason, and many others, it is no surprise she was selected as a 2026 Women of Excellence honoree. She wears the honor well, serving with integrity, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
With that, we extend our congratulations to Justice Johnson and to all of the remarkable honorees upon whom this distinction has been bestowed.
