S 861

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 861
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
A senate RESOLUTION
TO HONOR AMERICAN REVOLUTION-ERA
POET PHILLIS WHEATLEY AND TO RECOGNIZE JANUARY 29, 2026, AS THE OFFICIAL DATE
ON WHICH THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE WILL ISSUE A STAMP COMMEMORATING HER
ENDURING LITERARY LEGACY.
Whereas, Phillis Wheatley, a formerly enslaved woman, became known as
the first author of African descent in the American colonies to publish a book,
and whose literary achievements were recognized by prominent Americans
including George Washington, Samson Occom, and Thomas Paine, as well as by
British figures John Thornton and John Newton; and
Whereas, the people of the Midlands honored Wheatley beginning in
1930 through the establishment of a public library branch bearing her name,
sponsored by the Rosenwald Foundation to expand library services to African
American residents. It was first housed in the Phillis Wheatley YWCA at 1429
Park Street and later relocated to 2314 Gervais Street in Waverly and remained
at that location until 1972. Currently, it is the Richland Library Wheatley
branch at 931 Woodrow Street.  It opened in 1993 and was named through the
influence of Richland Library Board member Ethel Martin Bolden to preserve
Wheatley's legacy; and
Whereas, the people of the Lowcountry honored Wheatley through the
enduring work of the Phillis Wheatley Literary and Social Club, founded in
1916, whose papers are held at the Avery Research Center at the College of
Charleston. The club fostered the study of writers such as Carter G. Woodson
and W.E.B. DuBois while supporting organizations including the Jenkins
Orphanage and the NAACP; and
Whereas, the people of the Upstate honored Wheatley first with the
founding in 1919 of the Phillis Wheatley Association on Haynie Street by Hattie
Logan Duckett. It served as a social and academic center for young Black women
and later moved to East McBee Avenue. It expanded to serve boys and girls. In
1924, the association moved to 121 Broad Street as the Phillis Wheatley Center.
From 1930 to 1970, the center served as the Black YWCA. It was a support center
for Black World War II soldiers and became a neighborhood hub. In 1978, a new
building was dedicated to the historic Nicholtown community. In the 1980s, the
Phillis Wheatley Repertory Theatre was added, counting actor and singer Phillip
Boykin among its distinguished alumni. In 1999, the center gained upper and
lower campuses, and in 2019, the facility became the Phillis Wheatley Community
Center; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate take pride that the
honor bestowed upon Phillis Wheatley within this State has endured for more
than a century and continues to be recognized during the 250th anniversary of
the founding of the United States of America and beyond. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution,
honor American Revolution-era Poet Phillis Wheatley and recognize January 29,
2026, as the official date on which the United States Postal Service will issue
a stamp commemorating her enduring literary legacy.
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This web page was last updated on January 28, 2026 at 02:02 PM