From Nursing to Acting: Career Highlights of Sex Educator Sue Johanson
Sue Johanson, who made her name with candid talk about sex on radio and TV, has died at the age of 93. Here are some highlights from her groundbreaking career.
STARTED AS A NURSE: Before gaining fame as a sex educator, Johanson was a registered nurse who received her training at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg. In 1970, she opened a birth control clinic at a Toronto high school and remained a coordinator for 16 years.
CROSS-BORDER TV AUDIENCE: In Canada, Johanson hosted the call-in “Sunday Night Sex Show” that aired on W Network from 1996 to 2005. In the United States, “Talk Sex with Sue Johanson” aired on Oxygen TV from 2002 until 2008.
BOOKS: Johanson has written several sex education books over the years, including “Talk Sex” and “Sex, Sex and More Sex.”
ACTING GIVEN: Johanson appeared in a few episodes of the Canadian TV shows Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi: The Next Generation playing a version of herself as sex educator Dr. Sally.
ORDER OF CANADA: Johanson was awarded the Order of Canada in November 2000 and invested the following year. She was praised for her “listening without judgement” and helping Canadians improve their understanding of sexuality and health choices.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on June 29, 2023.
