Gail Johnson
Gail Johnson was a pediatric nurse at the Medical College of Virginia when she observed the lack of services for children and working parents and developed the concept of a place where children who had typical childhood illness could go when their parents had to go work. In 1989, she launched Rainbow Station, which included the Get Well Place, an infirmary offering care for mildly ill children as well as prescribed pediatric nursing care for children with chronic medical conditions requiring professional nursing. Rainbow Station also offers preschool, nursery school, private kindergarten, and The Village, a schoolage recreation program.
In 1996, Rainbow Station was chosen as a Rising 25—A Top 25 Fastest-Growing Company, was one of 19 finalists for the Virginia State Entrepreneur of the Year Award and Gail was named the Greater Richmond Small Business Person of the Year. Gail was named Virginia Small Business Person of the Year in 1997. In 2002 and 2003, respectively, Gail was named YMCA Outstanding Woman in Business and the Innsbrook Rotary’s Business Leader. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Smart Beginning’s Early Child Development Coalition in 2007. Gail is, and has been, active in many local and national business and industry associations.
Gail Johnson answers the Proust Questionnaire:
What is your most marked characteristic?
Persistence & Drive
The quality you most like in a man?
Sincerity & thoughtfulness—the real deal
The quality you most like in a woman?
Strength, genuineness
What do you most value in your friends?
Ability to pick up & continue relationships regardless of time. The knowledge that friends will always be there for me & I for them—regardless.
What is your principle defect?
Not remembering to acknowledge others accomplishments/efforts as much as I should.
What is your favorite occupation?
Administration/entrepreneurship of a cause that makes a difference—Rainbow Station fits that bill.
What is your dream of happiness?
Surrounded by family and friends enjoying life. I work to live.
What to your mind would be the greatest of misfortunes?
Loss of my family or close friends
What would you like to be?
Just what I am
In what country would you like to live?
Where I live—but would like to visit many, many more for extended periods.
What is your favorite color?
Purple
What is your favorite flower?
Tulips
What is your favorite bird?
Robin
Who are your favorite prose writers?
No real favorite—prefer historical fiction
Who are your favorite poets?
Robert Frost, Alfred Lloyd Tennyson, ee cummings
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Bond, James Bond—not sure why—maybe the actor that portrayed most of the Bond films.
Who are your favorite heroines of fiction
Jo March, Little Women—read as a child and inspired by her strength. Read to my daughter to share this inspiration when she was a young girl.
Who are your favorite composers?
Mozart, Beethoven
Who are your favorite painters?
Monet, Renoir
Who are your heroes in real life?
Anyone who has created success by beating the odds. My Dad.
Who are your favorite heroines of history?
Eleanor Roosevelt, Florence Nightingale, Clara Barton,
What are your favorite names?
Brian, Kathryn, Kevin, Abel, Cyrus, Sabina, Liesl, Isabella, Ainsley, Adelaide, Jayden, Cody (and, of course, Earl, Elyse, Matthew & Ashley)
What is it you most dislike?
Irresponsible people without integrity
What historical figures do you most despise?
Adolf Hitler, Osama bin Laden
What event in military history do you most admire?
American Revolution
What reform do you most admire?
Civil Rights—albeit, still evolving
What natural gift would you most like to possess?
Dancing
How would you like to die?
Suddenly, without warning
What is your present state of mind?
Peaceful—knowing that all current issues “will work out”
To what faults do you feel most indulgent?
Eating gooey desserts
What is your motto?
“Excellence breeds Excellence—set your standards high and never waiver and success will follow.”
