During the last week of this year’s legislative session in South Carolina, eight of the state’s nine African American women serving in the House gathered to record a historic moment, reports the Associated Press.
This is the first time in the state’s history that nine African American women have served simultaneously in the House of Representatives, a moment shared among a sisterhood of women who say their primary mission is to serve and create positive change.
“I think we are uniquely situated to do that,” Rep. Wendy Brawley of Hopkins said of her eight African American female colleagues. “It’s the most that has ever served In the House at one time, and I think we can be and have been a formidable force.”
They wanted to take a photo near a portrait of Mary McLeod Bethune, the famous educator and stateswoman born a daughter of former slaves in Mayesville, S.C., as a nod to how African American women have always had a significant impact on South Carolina’s history. And they also strive to have their own impact in the legislature. Joining Brawley were Gilda Cobb-Hunter of Orangeburg, Chandra Dillard of Greenville, Rosalyn D. Henderson-Myers of Spartanburg, Patricia Henegan of Bennettsville, Annie E. McDaniel of Winnsboro, J. Anne Parks of Greenwood, Leola Robinson Simpson of Greenville and Krystle Simmons of Ladson.
These are women who serve all parts of the state, representing almost every industry, including a magazine CEO, social worker, higher education administrators, attorney, retired educator and consultant, funeral director and engineer planner. African American women have been serving in the South Carolina House for 44 years. Juanita C.W. Goggins of York County was elected in 1975 and served for five years. Her achievements in improving education and public health paved the way for African American women to pick up the torch and serve behind her.
“I don’t know if I digested how big this is,” Rep. Krystle Simmons said. “I just hope that little brown boys and girls, young girls, college age, I hope they look at me and say because of her, we can.” Simmons, in fact, flipped her district, beating a Republican who had long held the seat. Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter was given the honor in January of gaveling in the 123rd session of the South Carolina House as the longest serving member of the chamber. She is also the longest serving African American in the state’s history, elected in 1992 having spent years behind the scenes encouraging other women to run for office.
