A house RESOLUTION

 

TO HONOR AMERICAN REVOLUTION-ERA POET PHILLIS WHEATLEY AND TO RECOGNIZE JANUARY 29, 2026, AS THE OFFICIAL DATE ON WHICH THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE WILL ISSUE A STAMP COMMEMORATING HER ENDURING LITERARY LEGACY.

 

Whereas, Phillis Wheatley, a formerly enslaved woman, became known as the first author of African descent in the American colonies to publish a book, and whose literary achievements were recognized by prominent Americans including George Washington, Samson Occom, and Thomas Paine, as well as by British figures John Thornton and John Newton; and

 

Whereas, the people of the Midlands honored Wheatley beginning in 1930 through the establishment of a public library branch bearing her name, sponsored by the Rosenwald Foundation to expand library services to African American residents. It was first housed in the Phillis Wheatley YWCA at 1429 Park Street and later relocated to 2314 Gervais Street in Waverly and remained at that location until 1972. Currently, it is the Richland Library Wheatley branch at 931 Woodrow Street.  It opened in 1993 and was named through the influence of Richland Library Board member Ethel Martin Bolden to preserve Wheatley's legacy; and

 

Whereas, the people of the Lowcountry honored Wheatley through the enduring work of the Phillis Wheatley Literary and Social Club, founded in 1916, whose papers are held at the Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston. The club fostered the study of writers such as Carter G. Woodson and W.E.B. DuBois while supporting organizations including the Jenkins Orphanage and the NAACP; and

 

Whereas, the people of the Upstate honored Wheatley first with the founding in 1919 of the Phillis Wheatley Association on Haynie Street by Hattie Logan Duckett. It served as a social and academic center for young Black women and later moved to East McBee Avenue. It expanded to serve boys and girls. In 1924, the association moved to 121 Broad Street as the Phillis Wheatley Center. From 1930 to 1970, the center served as the Black YWCA. It was a support center for Black World War II soldiers and became a neighborhood hub. In 1978, a new building was dedicated to the historic Nicholtown community. In the 1980s, the Phillis Wheatley Repertory Theatre was added, counting actor and singer Phillip Boykin among its distinguished alumni. In 1999, the center gained upper and lower campuses, and in 2019, the facility became the Phillis Wheatley Community Center; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives take pride that the honor bestowed upon Phillis Wheatley within this State has endured for more than a century and continues to be recognized during the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America and beyond. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor American Revolution-era Poet Phillis Wheatley and recognize January 29, 2026, as the official date on which the United States Postal Service will issue a stamp commemorating her enduring literary legacy.

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