{{Short description|American politician (1928–2021)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Lucille Whipper | honorific_suffix = | image = | alt = | state_house = South Carolina | district = 109th | term_start = 1986 | term_end = November 8, 1996 | predecessor = Robert Roosevelt Woods | successor = David Mack | prior_term = | birth_name = Lucille Simmons | birth_date = {{birth date|1928|6|6}} | birth_place = Charleston, South Carolina, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|2021|08|27|1928|6|6}} | death_place = | profession = | party = Democratic }} '''Lucille Simmons Whipper''' (June 6, 1928 – August 27, 2021) was an American Democratic Party politician who served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1986 to 1996. Whipper is most well known for accomplishments in both education and politics. In the educational field, Whipper worked at two high schools before landing a job at the College of Charleston. Here, Whipper implemented an affirmative action program and played a major role in integrating the Avery Institute, a center dedicated to African American history, with the college. In politics, Whipper was the first black woman to represent a Charleston County seat in the legislature. She was also the first woman of color ever to be elected to the South Carolina General Assembly.
== Early life == Lucille Whipper was born on June 6, 1928, in Charleston, South Carolina.<ref name=":137">{{Cite web |title=The Honorable Lucille Whipper's Biography |url=https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/honorable-lucille-whipper |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=The HistoryMakers |language=en}}</ref> She was the daughter of Joseph Simmons and Sarah Washington, a couple who separated when Whipper was young.<ref name=":152">{{Cite web |title=Lucille Whipper: Rebirth of Avery Normal |url=https://digital.library.sc.edu/exhibits/champions/volume-4-2/part-5/lucille-whipper/ |website=Champions of Civil and Human Rights in South Carolina: A Digital Exhibition by the Department of Oral History at the University of South Carolina}}</ref> Growing up, Whipper spent her time in North Charleston and in the Liberty Hill section of east Charleston.<ref name=":178" /> Whipper attended high school at the Avery Institute, an all-black high school in Charleston, South Carolina.<ref name=":178">{{Cite web |title=Whipper, Lucille Simmons |url=https://www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/whipper-lucille-simmons/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=South Carolina Encyclopedia |language=en-US}}</ref> Here, Whipper had an encounter with civil rights activism when her graduating class sought to desegregate the College of Charleston.<ref name=":168">{{Cite web |title=SC Rep. Lucille Simmons Whipper |url=https://scafricanamerican.com/honorees/sc-rep-lucille-simmons-whipper/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=South Carolina African American History Calendar |language=en-US}}</ref> A large group of people in her class applied to the College of Charleston, but their efforts of desegregation were unsuccessful.<ref name=":144">{{Cite web |last=Kerr |first=Amanda |date=2022-01-27 |title=The Late Lucille Whipper Was a Model Citizen |url=https://today.cofc.edu/2022/01/27/the-late-lucille-whipper-was-a-model-citizen/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=The College Today |language=en-US}}</ref> After becoming a private school, the college was able to stay segregated.<ref name=":2">Parker, Adam. "Seeing Glory; Long March from Selma Leads Barack Obama to King's Promised Land." ''The Post and Courier'', Jan 18, 2009, pp. E.1''. U.S. Newsstream''.</ref>
== Education ==
Although Whipper was denied (along with a large part of her graduating class) from the College of Charleston, she was accepted into Talladega College in Alabama.<ref name=":185">{{Cite web |last=LLC |first=Grace Funeral Services |title=Obituary for Honorable Dr. Lucille S. Whipper {{!}} Grace Funeral Services, LLC |url=https://www.gracefuneralservicesllc.com/obituary/HonorableDrLucille-Whipper |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Obituary for Honorable Dr. Lucille S. Whipper {{!}} Grace Funeral Services, LLC |language=en}}</ref> Here, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and sociology.<ref name=":137" /> Later, Whipper went to the University of Chicago, graduating in 1955 with a Masters of Arts degree in political science.<ref name=":178" /><ref name=":185" />
== Career ==
=== Academic positions === After graduating from Talladega College, Whipper went back to Charleston where she taught social studies at public schools.<ref name=":178" /> Then, in 1955 (after graduating from the University of Chicago), Whipper returned to Charleston where she worked as the director of guidance services at two prominent all-black high schools: Burke High School and Bonds-Wilson High School.<ref name=":178" /> In the late 1960s, Whipper and a few others jumped on the opportunity to start Operation Catch-Up, a program funded by a federal grant coming from Andrew Johnson's “War on Poverty.”<ref name=":137" /><ref name=":168" /> Operation Catch-Up sought to tutor and mentor underserved high school students in the Charleston area.<ref name=":137" /> As director of this county wide program, Whipper successfully placed many high school graduates into colleges and universities.<ref name=":168" />
In 1972, Whipper landed a job at the College of Charleston as Director of the Office of Human Relations and Assistant to the President, making her the first African American to hold this position.<ref name=":168" /> Serving under administrator Theodore Stern, Whipper led the way in developing the school's first affirmative action plan.<ref name=":185" /> In 1975, Whipper took a leave of absence to focus her attention back to public schooling.<ref name=":178" /> During this time, she worked on directing a multimillion-dollar federal project called the Elementary and Secondary School Aid Act (ESSA).<ref name=":178" /><ref name=":185" /> As director of ESSA, Whipper worked in collaboration with the Charleston County School District to develop school programs in the area.<ref name=":178" />
After two years, Whipper returned to the College of Charleston where she continued her work as Director of the Office of Human Relations and Assistant to the President.<ref name=":185" /> At the College of Charleston, she helped transform her old High School (the Avery Institute) into the Avery Institute of Afro-American History and Culture.<ref name=":194">{{Cite web |last=Lamb |first=Sarah |date=2021-08-31 |title=Remembering former S.C. Rep Lucille Whipper: CCF donor, civic-leader and educator |url=https://coastalcommunityfoundation.org/remembering-lucille-whipper-ccf-donor-civic-leader-and-educator/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina |language=en-US}}</ref> With the support of a variety of members on the Charleston College Academic board and the president of the college, Theodore Stern, Whipper was able to organize the Avery Institute of Afro-American History and Culture committee.<ref name=":137" /><ref name=":168" /> In 1985, this committee created the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.<ref name=":185" /> Whipper's work and dedication to the Avery Institute played a critical role in its preservation and integration with the College of Charleston.<ref name=":178" /><ref name=":144" /> Whipper eventually ended her career at the College of Charleston in 1981 when she retired.<ref name=":185" />
=== Political career === Whipper first entered politics in 1972 when she served as vice chairman of the Democratic Party Convention.<ref name=":137" /> She was eventually elected to the school board of Charleston District 20, a position she held from 1978 to 1982.<ref name=":185" /> Later, Whipper sought a position of greater public service, and in 1986, she became the first African American woman to be elected to a South Carolina seat in the House of Representatives.<ref name=":178" /><ref name=":194" /> Whipper was the first women of color to ever be elected to the South Carolina General Assembly, too.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 8, 2011 |title=Gov. Haley to be honored |url=https://www.thestate.com/latest-news/article14391977.html |url-status= |access-date=October 4, 2021 |website=The State}}</ref> Whipper was a democrat and represented seat 109, a working class district covering parts of the East Copper area, North Charleston, and the center of the Charleston peninsula.<ref name=":6">Baxley, Colette. "Three in Running for House 109 Seat." ''The Post and Courier'', May 29, 1996, pp. 1''. ProQuest Central''.</ref> She served for ten years where she had two major legislative contributions.<ref name=":137" /><ref name=":194" /> She sponsored one piece of legislature that made marital rape a crime, and another piece of legislature that allowed minorities and females to be hired more easily in the workplace.<ref name=":168" /> In addition, Whipper fought for women to get insurance coverage for mammograms.<ref name=":1">Wenger, Yvonne. "Black, Female, Elected, Ready to Lead." ''The Post and Courier'', Oct 2, 2007, pp. B1''. ProQuest Central''.</ref> In 1992, Whipper was nominated for Speaker Pro Tempore (a top leadership post in the House), by Tim Rodgers in an attempt to send positive signals to the blacks.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=HOUSE JOURNAL for Dec. 8, 1992 - South Carolina Legislature Online |url=https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess110_1993-1994/hj93/19921208.htm |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=www.scstatehouse.gov}}</ref><ref name=":7">Karr, Gary. "Losing no. 2 Post Irks Black Members." ''Herald'', Dec 13, 1992, pp A9. ''ProQuest Central.''</ref> In a 36–86 vote, Whipper lost the race the Representative David H. Wilkins.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":7" /> Whipper officially stepped down from office in 1996 which marked the end of her 10-year stint in the House.<ref name=":144" /> In 1999, Whipper's service in office was recognized by the South Carolina state government after they decided to name a connector bridge in Charleston after her.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=1999-2000 Bill 4194: The Honorable Lucille S. Whipper, Connector named in Charleston County by Transportation Department, Resolutions - South Carolina Legislature Online |url=https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess113_1999-2000/bills/4194.htm |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=www.scstatehouse.gov}}</ref><ref name=":4">Graves, Rachel. "Bridge Link may be a Tribute to Whipper." ''The Post and Courier'', Jun 6, 1999, pp. 1''. ProQuest Central''.</ref>
== Awards and honors ==
* Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters from Morris College (1989) and the University of Charleston (1992)<ref name=":168" /> * Legislator of the Year (1992)<ref name=":168" /> * Inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame (1995)<ref name=":5">Lewis, Kimberly. "Bell, Whipper Join the S.C. Black Hall of Fame." ''The Post and Courier'', Jun 5, 1995, pp. 11''. ProQuest Central''.</ref> * Listed as one of “Charleston’s One Hundred Most Influential since 1670” in ''Charleston Magazine'' (2007)<ref name=":168" />
== Personal life == While attending Talladega College, Whipper married her first husband, who died shortly after they got married.<ref name=":178" /> His death forced Whipper to move back to Charleston and provide for her infant son while teaching at public high schools.<ref name=":178" /> In 1957, Whipper married Reverend Benjamin Whipper, who later died on June 13, 1998, at 85 years old.<ref name=":20">Willoughby, Laura. "Baptist Minister Whipper Dies at 85." ''The Post and Courier'', Jun 15, 1998, pp. 1''. ProQuest Central''.</ref> Benjamin Whipper had 5 children from a previous relationship, and Lucille Whipper had one child from a previous relationship.<ref name=":178" /> When they got married, their families blended and they had one child together.<ref name=":178" /> The Whipper's sent all seven of their children to college.<ref name=":3">Frazier, Eric. "Benjamin Whipper 'Gentle Ben' Pillar of Church." ''The Post and Courier'', Apr 6, 1996, pp. 1''. ProQuest Central''.</ref> One of their children, Seth Whipper, followed in Whipper's footsteps and served as a representative in the South Carolina House of Representatives.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last1=Kropf |first1=Schuyler |last2=Garrison |first2=Steve |title=Former state lawmaker and educator Lucille Whipper has passed |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/news/former-state-lawmaker-and-educator-lucille-whipper-has-passed/article_c3ddf5c6-0838-11ec-ad8f-b7fc6ad2a4f2.html |website=Post and Courier|date=August 28, 2021 }}</ref>
Whipper's husband, Benjamin, was a prominent member of the church. He was a pastor at two Charleston churches (Charity Baptist Church and St. Matthew Baptist Church) for nearly five decades.<ref name=":20" /><ref name=":3" /> In addition, he became a prominent member of the National Baptist Convention USA Inc where he became well acquainted with some of the most influential baptist's in the nation.<ref name=":3" /> Like her husband, Whipper was also involved with the church.<ref name=":3" /> For example, Whipper served as a faculty member of the National Congress of Christian Education.<ref name=":168" /> In addition, Whipper was president of the Women's Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina.<ref name=":168" />
=== Activism === Outside of the church and after retirement from the House of Representatives, Whipper continued her activist endeavors.<ref name=":0">Diette, Courrege. "New Committee Backs 4 in Race for School Board Seats." ''McClatchy - Tribune Business News'', Oct 5, 2006, pp. 1''. ProQuest Central''.</ref> In 2003, for example, Whipper founded Low Country Aid to Africa (LCAA), an organization dedicated towards raising awareness and money for Africa.<ref name=":10">Hardin, Jason. "Lowcountry Group Aims to Aid Africa." ''The Post and Courier'', May 18, 2003, pp. B1''. ProQuest Central.''</ref><ref name=":11">McCray, Jack. "Low Country Aid to Africa Fundraiser." ''The Post and Courier'', Jan 20, 2011, pp. E6''. ProQuest Central''.</ref> LCAA was ultimately created because Whipper believed the media was ignoring Africa's problems, especially since the Sept. 11 attacks.<ref name=":10" /> This initiative has raised tens of thousands of dollars for both African children affected by AIDS and local HIV/AIDS prevention clinics.<ref name=":11" />
In 2006, Whipper and retired financial executive Paul Hines actively backed 4 people (Toya Green, Ruth Jordan, Gregg Meyers and Susan Simons) in a Charleston County school board race.<ref name=":0" /> Whipper was co-chair of the Blue Ribbon Education Committee, a group that opposed the incumbents from getting reelected.<ref name=":0" /> To Whipper, the incumbent school board members (Lurline Fishburne, Ray Toler, Robin Beard, and Arthur Ravenel) threatened the future of Charleston education because they were far more concerned with politics than children's education.<ref name=":0" />
In addition, Whipper was also a supporter of the Circle of Influence Leadership Summit that occurred in December 2007.<ref name=":1" /> This summit, which was sponsored by AARP South Carolina, was an opportunity for black women to come together and find a way to solve social problems that persist in their communities.<ref name=":1" /> Whipper hoped that this summit would address the decrease in black women officeholders and put more black women in office.<ref name=":1" /> This, to Whipper, was important because of the unique perspective black women bring to politics.<ref name=":1" />
== Death == Lucille Whipper died on Friday, August 27, 2021.<ref name=":122">{{Cite web |title=Lucille Whipper Obituary (2021) - Charleston, SC - Charleston Post & Courier |url=https://obits.postandcourier.com/us/obituaries/charleston/name/lucille-whipper-obituary?id=32966593 |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Legacy.com}}</ref> Her son, Seth Whipper, said there was no underlying cause for her death.<ref name="auto" /> Her funeral was held on Friday, September 3, 2021, at Grace Funeral Services, located at 1947 Highway 52, Moncks Corner, SC 29461.<ref name=":122" /> At the time of her death, Whipper had 19 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 26 great-great-grandchildren.<ref name=":122" />
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j3HZda09DE Rep. Lucille Whipper interview] on YouTube * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ9vAGhXeAA Rep. Lucille Whipper funeral service, part 1] on WCBD-TV * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNeFkAol01E Rep. Lucille Whipper funeral service, part 2] on WCBD-TV * [https://cdm16817.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16817coll21/id/9387 Image, Rep. Lucille Whipper at Martin Luther King birthday observance at the South Carolina State House, 1989]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whipper, Lucille}} Category:1928 births Category:2021 deaths Category:20th-century American women politicians Category:African-American state legislators in South Carolina Category:Politicians from Charleston, South Carolina Category:Talladega College alumni Category:University of Chicago alumni Category:Democratic Party members of the South Carolina House of Representatives Category:20th-century African-American women politicians Category:20th-century African-American politicians Category:21st-century African-American politicians Category:21st-century African-American women politicians Category:21st-century American women politicians Category:Women state legislators in South Carolina Category:20th-century members of the South Carolina General Assembly