A house RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE MARY MARIE RICHARDSON HARDY ON THE OCCASION OF HER NINETIETH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HER MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

Whereas, on December 22, 2022, Mary Marie Richardson Hardy awakened to the celebration of a milestone event, her ninetieth birthday; and

Whereas, the third child of Major James and Josephine Young Richardson of Columbia's Waverly neighborhood, Mary attended Waverly Elementary and Carver Junior High and in 1950 graduated with high honors in the first class of C.A. Johnson High School. In 1954, she graduated from Allen University, cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education. Later, she earned a Master of Education in reading from the University of South Carolina (1974), and also pursued postgraduate work at New York University and the University of Kansas; and

Whereas, Mrs. Hardy began her professional career as a first-grade teacher at Carver Elementary School. After two years, she was appointed grade chairman and served until 1974, when she was appointed head teacher to set up the Title I Reading/Math Lab at Carver, the first schoolwide lab in Richland District One. In 1977, she became the district's Title I coordinator; and

Whereas, during the 1989-1990 school year, she was invited to join the staff at the private V.V. Reid Elementary School, where she taught second grade for five years and then served as principal for three years before retiring in 1998; and

Whereas, the forty-four years she spent in teaching students, counseling parents, and befriending co-workers were reflective of her appreciation of education, with its promise of a better life and a way to help others, an appreciation instilled by her parents. Awards for Mrs. Hardy's educational work have been many, and she is grateful to have had the opportunity to serve mankind; and

Whereas, in 1985, she became a licensed realtor, working with Chuck Ruff Realty until June 2009, and getting much pleasure helping young adults get a piece of the American dream, a new home; and

Whereas, as an active member of Friendship Baptist Church for more than seventy years, this woman of faith has served there in several capacities, including as a Sunday School and Daily Vacation Bible School teacher and as chair of the Friendship Baptist Church Board of Trustees; and

Whereas, in addition, Mary Hardy is a member of many civic, professional, social, and religious organizations, among them Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the South Carolina Educational Association, and the National Association of University Women; and

Whereas, after retirement, she volunteered with Meals on Wheels and served a term on the South Carolina Board of Domestic Violence. During her leisure time, her passion for traveling has taken her to every state in the Union and to many other countries, including Egypt, South Africa, Italy, France, Greece, and Israel; and

Whereas, Mary Hardy is the proud mother of James B. (Cynthia) Hardy IV and Jolanda Marie Hardy. To honor her at this very special time in her life, family and friends joined with her to celebrate her ninetieth birthday on December 22, 2022; and

Whereas, it is a great pleasure to honor this daughter of the Palmetto State at the celebration of her ninetieth birthday and to join with her family and friends in congratulating her on reaching this important life milestone. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Mary Marie Richardson Hardy on the occasion of her ninetieth birthday and wish her much happiness in the days ahead.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mary Marie Richardson Hardy.

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