A house RESOLUTION

 

To recognize and honor Felicia Yvonne Young Trower, A native of South Carolina, for her contributions to the state, to the civil rights movement, and to our nation.

 

Whereas, teacher, model, and civil rights fighter are all ways to describe Felicia Yvonne Young Trower. Born on March 12, 1942, in Blair, she is the daughter of Nancy Lee Felicia Thompson Young and John Robert "Rice" Young. Felicia was very involved from a young age, and continues to be an active member in her community to this day; and

 

Whereas, at the age of nine, Felicia joined the Gethsemane Church in Blair and attended the Gethsemane School for Blacks from first through seventh grade. In 1954, McCrorey Liston opened as the new high school for Blacks and was touted as being "separate but equal." However, it was clear that it was not equal to the white schools. Felicia attended McCrorey Liston and was named Miss McCrorey Liston in eighth grade for raising the most money for the school, and again by popular vote in her senior year; and

 

Whereas, graduating from McCrorey Liston, Felicia earned a bachelor's degree in business education from Benedict College and pursued graduate work at California State University in Los Angeles, at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, and at Winthrop University in Rock Hill. While in Los Angeles, Felicia taught in the Los Angeles United School District and graduated from the John Robert Powers and the Flair modeling schools of Beverly Hills. Afterwards, she modeled in various shows in and around California. She was a model with New Breed, LTD, which was featured in Sepia Magazine, comparable to Ebony Magazine at the time. Returning to South Carolina, she taught in Fairfield County from 1971 until she retired in 2020 and was a membership chair for the Fairfield County NAACP for many years. After her retirement, she continued to share the gift of knowledge by volunteering to tutor students in the Blair community; and

 

Whereas, in Los Angeles Felicia met and married Howard Lee Trower. From this union, she was blessed with one biological daughter, Timia Kitani Trower Lyles, and two biological grandchildren, Shelton Gabriel Whittaker and Rachael Gabrielle Whittaker. Additionally, she was blessed with two bonus daughters, Chandra and Bridget Trower, four bonus granddaughters, and two bonus great-granddaughters; and

 

Whereas, out of all her accomplishments, aside from her children, Felicia is most proud of her participation in the civil rights protest in Columbia, where she and 185 other students were arrested for marching around the State House. The students were represented by Matthew Perry and Lincoln Jenkins, resulting in a landmark ruling by the United States Supreme Court in the case Edwards v. South Carolina. The decision made by the Supreme Court allows people to peacefully demonstrate all over the United States without repercussion. Pertinent to her passion for civil rights, Felicia's favorite quote is by George Washington Carver who said, "When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world."; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives take great pride this Black History Month in recognizing the accomplishments of Felicia Yvonne Young Trower. Her courageous actions have had an immeasurable impact on the world. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Felicia Yvonne Young Trower, native of South Carolina, for her contributions to the State, to the civil rights movement, and to our Nation.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Felicia Yvonne Young Trower.

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