Groundbreakers
(1921-2009) South Carolina’s first African-American female mayor was Janie Glymph Goree. Born in Newberry County to a family of 11, she worked hard in order to receive an education. She had to attend multiple high schools and despite admission, could…
Groundbreakers
(1886-1989) A native of Blythewood, SC, Mrs. Gasque became the first woman in the US Congress from South Carolina after her husband’s death in 1939. She graduated from Greenville Female College in 1907. After her husband’s death she was elected…
Groundbreakers
(1906-2000) Carolyn Essig Frederick represented Greenville County in the South Carolina House for ten years from 1967 to 1976. A Republican pioneer who campaigned with the slogan, “Carolyn cares,’ she was the first Republican woman to be elected to the…
Groundbreakers
(1950-2004) Born in Kingstree, South Carolina Connor received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina in 1976. She became an Assistant South Carolina Attorney General and was elected to the South Carolina Family Court in 1983. After serving…
Groundbreakers
(1984-1975) As a native of Charleston, Pollitzer was an activist for women’s suffrage. She attended Columbia University and after graduation she became the national secretary of the National Woman’s Party. Pollitzer was the youngest officer and the youngest lobbyist in…
Groundbreakers
(1874-1969) Mrs. Bass was born in Sumter, South Carolina and was a civil rights activist before she moved to California to become the editor of The California Eagle. She became a member of the Progressive Party and in 1952 she…
Groundbreakers
(1890-1934) As a native of Gourdin, South Carolina, Mary Gordon Ellis moved to Rock Hill to attend Winthrop College and to become an educator. After becoming a teacher and principal in the Jasper County School System, she became the first…
Groundbreakers
(1948- ) Maggie Glover was the first African-American woman to be elected to the SC State Senate. Born in Florence, Glover graduated from Fayetteville State University and received her Masters in Education from Francis Marion College. She was elected to…
Groundbreakers
(1929-2022) As told by Southeastern Institute intern Amy Soukup As a college junior, I’ve grown up being told that women can do anything men can do. The women who raised, mentored, and taught me had full-time, professional careers,…