Career
Johnson became the first female state senator in Florida history upon her election in 1962. She had previously become the second woman elected to the Florida House, when she was chosen to represent Orange County in 1958. Johnson was a leading advocate, along with former State Senate President William A. Shands for the establishment of the University of Central Florida in 1963.
Senator Beth Johnson Park, a 1.26-acre (051-hectare) urban park located near Lake Ivanhoe in Orlando is named in her honor.