A house RESOLUTION

 

TO HONOR AMY G. SURGINER NORTHROP, NATIVE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, FOR HER MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS GREAT STATE.

 

Whereas, Amy G. Surginer Northrop was born in Dixiana in 1905. She earned a bachelor's degree from Allen University and continued her studies as far as the Manhattan Trade School. A pioneer among African American businesswomen, her education and willingness to learn propelled her far in the world; and

 

Whereas, after school, Amy Northrop lived in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, eventually operating a beauty shop in Brooklyn, New York. However, in 1935 she returned to the Columbia area to establish Amy's Beauty Shop. A lover of cosmetology, she hosted the first clinic for the South Carolina State Cosmetology Association in 1936. She also became a charter member of the Columbia Citywide Cosmetology Association in 1938, where she made significant contributions, such as negotiating their affiliation with the National Beauty Culturist League in 1941; and

 

Whereas, she was appointed the first African American state inspector of beauty shops in South Carolina. She later secured the purchase of the city's beauticians association building and the State Cosmetology Headquarters. Additionally, she founded the Gamma Epsilon Sorority, a chapter of Alpha Chi Pi Omega Sorority; and

 

Whereas, Amy Northrop was a very involved citizen and served to better the world in any way she could. She held lifetime memberships in the NAACP, National Council of Negro Women, and at Mt. Pisgah AME Church. In the 1940s she fundraised for the Good Samaritan Waverly Hospital, served as vice president of the Columbia Women's Council, and led the Missionary Society of the historic Sidney Park CME Church. She also supported the October 1946 meeting of the Southern Negro Youth Congress, featuring Dr. W. E. B. Du Bois. In the 1950s and 1960s, she joined civil rights activist John H. McCray as a member of the South Carolina Progressive Democrats; and

 

Whereas, for her productive career as an entrepreneur and dedication to public service, she has received numerous awards and tributes. Among them, she was chosen as South Carolina State Cosmetologist Association's "Woman of the Year" in 1974, was inducted into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame, and was honored by Columbia's mayor with a Key to the City. Additionally, the Honorable James Clyburn paid tribute to her before the United State House of Representatives on the occasion of her 100^th birthday. After a long, fruitful life, Amy Northrop passed away in 2010. She is survived by her son and niece; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives takes great pride this Black History Month in recognizing the accomplishments that Amy Northrop achieved during her lifetime. Her hard work has not gone unnoticed, and the impact she had on her community and on the State of South Carolina is remarkable. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor Amy G. Surginer Northrop, native of South Carolina, for her many accomplishments and contributions to this great State.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Amy G. Surginer Northrop.

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