Norma Johnson began researching her family history in 1977 after years of hearing stories about the Pettifords from her mother.  She is now the family historian, and the latest book on the Pettiford-Weaver Family is all attributed to her hard work and dedication in keeping the legacy of the Pettiford-Weaver family alive. If you want to know how you’re connected as a family member in the Pettiford-Weaver family, she is the one to ask, but she is also a very lauded individual for her various contributions to society. As the Victims Witness Coordinator for the City Attorney’s office of Los Angeles, California, Norma was named Woman of the Year by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority on March 3, 1990. She also was a recipient of the Significant African American Women Award by the Los Angeles Association of Black Personnel on February 3, 1993, and Woman of the Year Award by Assemblywoman Marguerite Archie-Hudson in 1994. She also received the Governor Doris Tate Award for Victim Services in 1993.  She served as a consultant for the Department of Justice Office of Crime Victims President Task Force. They completed the report “Surviving the Tragedy of Homicide” on June 10, 1995.  She received the Community Service Award from the California State University Alumni Committee on May 4, 1996.  Finally, on November 20, 1996, she received the Special Police Meritorious Unit Citation medal from the Los Angeles Police Department-South Bureau Homicide.

Norma has appeared on 60 minutes and the Oprah Winfrey show to talk about victims of crime in LA.  Under her direction, an organization called LOVS (Loved Ones Victims Services) was created in Los Angeles which operates to this very day.

Norma is a wonderful mother of two children and the loving Nana to four grandchildren and we are all so blessed to have her in our life.