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TO HONOR BARBARA ANN DAVIDSON FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUTH AND EDUCATION AND HER FINE COMMUNITY SERVICE AND TO CONGRATULATE HER UPON BEING NAMED A 2015 HONOREE OF THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE.
Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to learn that the Little Black Dress Scholarship Committee will honor Barbara Ann Davidson for her outstanding contributions to youth and education, as well as for her many years of exemplary community service; and
Whereas, on Saturday, March 21, 2015, the recipients of the 2015 award will be recognized at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Columbia at the Little Black Dress Scholarship Luncheon, which seeks to generate camaraderie while honoring distinguished women who have given service to the community. Proceeds from the event are contributed to a well-deserving disadvantaged student; and
Whereas, Barbara Ann Davidson comes from a family of concerned citizens. Her grandfather, the Reverend John J. Banks, moved from Florida to Connecticut to work as a pastor and help others who were moving north for fairer social and employment opportunities. Albertha, Barbara's mother, met her future husband, James Davidson, there. Albertha and James married and built a family of seven children. She became involved with community concerns and helped launch a chapter of the NAACP; and
Whereas, like her mother, Barbara became active in the NAACP. While serving for twenty years at Wesleyan University (the first black person employed in its administration), she organized the clerical staff, which joined a union. She made three trips to Alabama chaperoning an integrated group of students who helped the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee register voters. She joined the famed March on Washington and a sit-in at U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond's office because he opposed equal-opportunity legislation; and
Whereas, as founder of the Black Women's League, a group that engaged in community service relating to politics, education, housing, employment, and cultural activities, Barbara Davidson worked with the League in sponsoring voter-education/registration drives. A worker in many political campaigns, she was herself elected to the local school board, where she served as chair for twelve years. In November 1982, she left her position as executive assistant to the president of Wesleyan and moved to Columbia to work at Eau Claire Pediatrics; and
Whereas, soon after arriving in Columbia, Barbara became involved with the National Federation of Colored Women and Girls Clubs. Impressed by its long and worthy history, she assisted as an advisor and later became an advisor of the Culturettes Club, the youth department of the local chapter, the Culture Club. For many years, she counseled teenaged girls about the importance of education, etiquette, grooming, personal development, faith, and travel. For nearly two decades, many young people have passed through the Culturettes Club, taking with them information about their rich racial heritage, a commitment to excel and accomplish any undertaking, a dream and desire for life and what it holds for them, and knowledge for research and exploration; and
Whereas, the Senate appreciates the contributions that Barbara Anne Davidson has made to youth and education, as well as her many years of caring community service, and the members applaud her inclusion as a 2015 honoree of the Little Black Dress Scholarship Committee. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, honor Barbara Ann Davidson for her contributions to youth and education and her fine community service and congratulate her upon being named a 2015 honoree of the Little Black Dress Scholarship Committee.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Barbara Ann Davidson.
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