ViAnna ‘Peanut’ Jordan leaves a legacy of service, activism and political engagement in Milwaukee

ViAnna Jordan, known affectionately as “Peanut,” was a political mover and shaker that drew the attention of Milwaukee’s political class.

The 20-year Army veteran used her retirement years to better public discourse by helping elect notable local officials while also sitting on community boards.

In 2006, Jordan led the recall effort against former Milwaukee alderman Mike McGee Jr., sparking the end of his tenure in public office and garnering national attention.

She died from a heart attack Sept. 1 at her home in Milwaukee. She was 68.

“I had the pleasure to know ViAnna Jordan for many years. She was as common sense and as tough as they come,” Mayor Cavalier Johnson said in a statement. “She was extremely proud of her time in the military and the opportunity that she had to serve our country. For years after her service, she continued to find ways to give back and uplift our community by her involvement at the Milwaukee Community Brainstorming Conference and other civic engagements. Never one for sitting on the sidelines, ViAnna would personally roll up her sleeves and lace her boots each election cycle to pound the pavement in support of candidates she believed would help to make our city better. She will be missed dearly.”

In addition to Johnson, Jordan touched many campaigns through signature collection and while serving at organizations, including for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, former Mayor Tom Barrett, former Sheriff David Clarke, Alds. Russell Stamper and Bob Bauman, former District Attorney John Chisholm and Chief Judge Carl Ashley.

A mother of three, Jordan lost an adult child, Alex Haskins, when the 19-year-old was struck by a school bus in Milwaukee in 2012.

“She was grieving. It was a moment of sorrow,” said Deonna Johnson, Jordan’s daughter. “He had just finished a year at MATC, so he had plans for his future after graduation. She continued to educate those in his peer group, making sure they were focused on their education or some type of skillset to make it in life. But that was a hard transition for her, dealing with Alex’s death. With time and support from loved ones, she was able to overcome her grief.”

Johnson is used to being the adult in the room, having watched her younger brothers while their mother was deployed. Over the years, Jordan was stationed all over the U.S., but also overseas, like in South Korea and Italy. She has served in Iraq during the height of the “War on Terror.”

After 20 years of service, Jordan earned military retirement and used her later years in life to be hands-on in decision-making by running a voter group where people help collect signatures and hand out literature for political candidates.

Jordan also served on the boards of the Social Development Commission and Community Brainstorming, which is a monthly meeting hosted on the city’s north side attended by community leaders gathered to discuss disparities and development of the Black community.

Dr. Pam Malone, longtime college professor and political aide, served on the board of Community Brainstorming with Jordan and the two grew into dear friends.

“ViAnna was courageous,” Malone said while noting her attempt to recall a powerful alderman that comes from a prominent political Milwaukee family in McGee Jr.

McGee survived the recall effort but lost his seat a year later. Jordan also ran for the seat, the one and only time she sought public office, however lost to Ald. Milele Coggs.

“But that’s not the most important thing about her,” Malone said of Jordan. “She was a 20-year military vet as a woman from that age group. She was an advocate.”

After the recall effort, Jordan participated in political activism and protested against anti-union law Act 10 at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison in 2011.

“She’s always been aware of how the policies impact the people and the community,” Johnson said. “And she wanted others to be aware. Many people will tell you that she introduced them to politics and educated them in a manner to see how these policies impact our lives.”

Johnson described her mother as a woman of God that loved to bake for her family, garden her flowers, shop the latest trends, and travel, maybe to Disney World one too many times.

Jordan had a trip planned next month for her 69th birthday to see one of her favorite singers Mary J. Blige perform at her Las Vegas residency.

“She loved music. She stayed abreast of what the current music is too. She liked Chris Brown also,” Johnson said.

Jordan’s family and friends still deeply grieve her sudden death. But for Johnson, she wants her mother to be remembered for her years of public service.

“She lived a good, meaningful, productive, and a prosperous life. To know her is to love her. You would always be left with some type of word of advice and encouragement. She loved her family, friends and her community. She was invested in her community and those around it. She wanted to see people prosper not struggle. And for her, her philosophy is education is the key to success.

“She was generous. She was caring. She was a mentor. Whoever came across her she would communicate with them about life and ensuring they had the skills, the tools and the education that they need to survive and to live a good life, not a life of struggle.

“She was a servant, she served others, she was intelligent, influential, inspirational and intentional about everything she did.”

A funeral service for Jordan will take place Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church, 1927 N. 4th Street. Visitation begins at 10 a.m.