A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

to request the department of transportation name the portion of State Road 868 (Marion Street) from the intersection of united states highway 52 (Coit Street) to the intersection of State Highway 174 (Harrell Street) in Florence County "Dr. Vashti Smith and Mary T. Wilson Way" and erect appropriate signs or markers at this location containing these words.

 

Whereas, a simple act of care and kindness in 1949 spurred a legacy that continues to this day. That was the year Vashti Smith was hospitalized for a major operation and received the kind of care she envisioned for others. She began to ask "What can I do to help people?"; and

 

Whereas, born in Laurens, the family moved to Florence when Smith was eight years old. She was committed to serving her community and church, and did so through many of the organizations she was affiliated with. Through the encouragement of many and perseverance through obstacles such as walking ten miles to work and then attending school, her legacy was born; and

 

Whereas, her life's work changed direction when she began caring for two patients in her home. The following year the number of patients increased to ten as she cared for them in a small home built for this specific purpose. This spark of inspiration provided an opportunity for Dr. Smith and Mrs. Mary "Mae" Wilson , a nurse, to begin a mission of caring for others physically and spiritually at a time when African Americans shared in the care for family members at home; and

 

Whereas, having studied at the Chicago School of Nursing and the American College of Nursing, Mrs. Wilson was a professionally trained nurse and midwife. The partnership of Dr. Smith and Mrs. Wilson formed Faith Nursing Home, later known as Faith Healthcare Center; and

 

Whereas, the establishment of the center ignited an excess of generosity throughout the Florence community with investments from a nonprofit organization, merchants, churches, and regular citizens. As a result, Smith was able to build another facility in 1962. With continued community support, the facility expanded in 1968 with the addition of a new wing; and

 

Whereas, two decades from opening her home to two patients, Dr. Smith, Mrs. Wilson and their staff were able to care for more than one hundred patients. The now appropriately named Faith Healthcare Center continues to serve Florence and the surrounding communities to this day; and

 

Whereas, Dr. Smith and Mrs. Wilson were honored and received numerous awards in recognition of their achievements. Dr. Smith was named Outstanding Woman of the Year, presented the Key to the City, and received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. A member of New Ebenezer Baptist Church, she served on the board of the Florence County Council on Aging, was the executive director of the Florence County Council on Aging, and coordinated the Pee Dee White House Conference on Aging. She also was one of the first board members of the South Carolina Gerontological Society. Mrs. Wilson was a member of Trinity Baptist Church, a life member of the National Council of Negro Women, advisor of the South Carolina Federation of Women and Girls Club, and a member of Florence Chapter 65 Order of the Eastern Star; and

 

Whereas, it is only fitting and proper that we pay homage to these pioneering women who took the leap of faith and built a legacy that continues to serve the community by naming a portion of highway in Florence in their honor. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, request the Department of Transportation name the portion of State Road 868 (Marion Street) from the intersection of United States Highway 52 (Coit Street) to the intersection of State Highway 174 (Harrell Street) in Florence County "Dr. Vashti Smith and Mary T. Wilson Way" and erect appropriate signs or markers at this location containing these words.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.

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