The South Carolina State Library is celebrating Women’s History Month with a collection of books highlighting the women who have shaped South Carolina’s history and beyond. The special collection showcases a diverse range of female voices, from civil rights pioneers to political leaders who have made significant contributions to the state’s history. This initiative aims to recognize the often-overlooked perspectives and achievements of women throughout South Carolina’s history.
Library officials have curated a selection of titles that explore women’s experiences across different time periods and backgrounds. “We’re proud to spotlight these powerful stories that demonstrate how women have been instrumental in creating history in their own images,” said a library representative. “From pioneering artists and athletes to groundbreaking politicians and civil rights advocates, these books offer valuable insights into the contributions of women to our state’s development and identity.”
Among the highlighted recommendations is “A Black Women’s History of the United States” by historians Daina Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross. This critical survey presents American history through the often-ignored perspectives of Black women, celebrating their ability to build communities while facing oppression. The book examines Black women’s unique contributions across various fields and provides a fresh lens through which to understand our nation’s past.
Another selection is “Becoming Catawba: Catawba Indian Women and Nation-Building, 1540-1840” by Brooke M. Bauer, a member of the Catawba Nation. This scholarly work explores the matrilineal kinship systems and authority structures of the Catawba tribes who originally resided in South Carolina’s Piedmont region. Using her knowledge of their native language family and archaeological data, Bauer provides an insider’s perspective on this complex history and the crucial role women played in sustaining Catawba culture and identity.
For those interested in exploring South Carolina’s female trailblazers, “South Carolina Women” by Idella Bodie presents biographies of fifty-one women who have shaped the state’s history. From Judith Giton Manigault to civil rights activist Modjeska Simkins, these profiles serve as introductions to these remarkable individuals’ lives and legacies.
The collection also features “Freedom’s Teacher: The Life of Septima Clark,” detailing how this former public educator created a comprehensive civics program aimed at registering Black voters during the height of the Civil Rights movement.
Rounding out the recommendations is “Against the Tide: One Woman’s Political Struggle,” the memoir of Harriet Keyserling. After moving to Beaufort in 1944, Keyserling leveraged her outsider status to campaign for positive change in her community and throughout the state. Her account of serving eight terms in the state legislature offers insights into how one determined woman made her voice heard in South Carolina politics.
South Carolinians can access these materials through several library services. The statewide SCLENDS (South Carolina Library Evergreen Network Delivery System) catalog connects users to twenty library systems across the state, allowing patrons to browse and request books from any participating location. Obtaining a library card is simple and provides access to both physical and digital collections that celebrate women’s contributions to history.
The library also encourages interested parties to subscribe to “More – the Newsletter for South Carolina Libraries,” which provides weekly updates about library programs, continuing education events, and state and national library news. This newsletter keeps readers informed about upcoming Women’s History Month events and other special programs that celebrate diverse voices throughout the year.
By combining physical collections, digital resources, and expert guidance, the South Carolina State Library continues its commitment to preserving and sharing the stories of women who have made history in the Palmetto State.
