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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE LUCILLE WHIPPER OF CHARLESTON, TO CELEBRATE HER LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives was deeply saddened by the passing of the Honorable Lucille Whipper of Charleston, former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives (1985-1995), on August 27, 2021. She was ninety-three; and
Whereas, Lucille Whipper credited her education at historically black institutions for instilling in her the will to make a difference wherever she found herself. In 1944, she was a student activist at her high school, the Avery Institute. Her graduating class sought to desegregate the College of Charleston, and later, while a student at Talladega College, she joined a movement to integrate student organizations. She continued her graduate education in political science at the University of Chicago and later earned a certificate in guidance and counseling at South Carolina State University; and
Whereas, in the late 1960s, Mrs. Whipper and others organized Operation Catch-Up, a high school tutorial program, for which she served as director. Operation Catch-Up was a forerunner of today's Upward Bound programs. In 1972, she became the College of Charleston's first African American administrator and developed the college's first affirmative action plan. While at the college, she was instrumental in organizing the Avery Institute of Afro-American History and Culture. With the support of members of the Charleston County delegation and the president of the college, the Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston was established. It is nationally recognized for its archival collections on African American history; and
Whereas, having served as vice chair of the Democratic Party Convention in 1972 and later as a member of the Charleston District 20 School Board, Mrs. Whipper in 1985 became the first African American female to serve as an elected state official from the Tri-County area. She served with distinction as a member of numerous committees and commissions on the local and state level and sponsored or co-sponsored important legislation dealing with medical, family, educational, health, and social issues; and
Whereas, as the wife of a distinguished pastor, the late Reverend Dr. Benjamin J. Whipper, Sr., she served her denomination as a faculty member of the National Congress of Christian Education and as immediate past president of the Women's Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina. Further, she was a former trustee for both Morris College and Benedict College; and
Whereas, Mrs. Whipper received numerous awards, including honorary doctorates from Morris College and the College of Charleston. She was inducted into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame, was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, and was listed as one of "Charleston's One Hundred Most Influential since 1670" in Charleston Magazine. Most recently, she was featured in the 2021 South Carolina African American History Calendar; and
Whereas, Lucille Whipper leaves to cherish her memory her children, the Reverend B.J. Whipper, Jr., Rosmond Whipper-Black, former South Carolina House member Seth Whipper, Cheryl Whipper Hamilton, and D'Jaris Whipper-Lewis; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. She will be remembered as a beloved public servant, one who will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of the Honorable Lucille Whipper of Charleston, celebrate her life and achievements, and extend the deepest sympathy to her family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Reverend B.J. Whipper, Jr., for the family.
This web page was last updated on December 6, 2021 at 12:49 PM