Check out South Carolinians who became the first to accomplish their achievements.
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Ernest Finney was the first African American chief justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court. He left an indelible mark on the legal system with his unwavering commitment to justice and equality...
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Judge Richard E. Fields was born and raised in Charleston, S.C. He attended high school at the Avery Institute, graduated from West Virginia State College in 1944, and earned his law degree in 1947...
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Robert Mills, born in Charleston, S.C., is considered by many to be the first American architect. In addition to some of his more well-known buildings across the state, Mills is also credited with...
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"B" is for Brown, Lucy Hughes (1863-1911). Physician. A native of North Carolina, Brown completed her medical training at the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. After practicing medicine in...
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“W” is for Wofford, Kate Vixon [1894-1954]. Educator. After graduating from Winthrop College, Wofford taught at Laurens High School and served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. Returning to Laurens...
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"D" is for Doby, Lawrence Edward [1923-2003]. Baseball Player. Larry Doby was the first African American to play baseball in the American League and the second African American to manage a major...
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Matthew J. Perry (1924-2011 ), Jr., a native South Carolinian, became a noted civil rights attorney for the NAACP; his legal victory on behalf of Harvey Gantt's suit to be admitted to Clemson...
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Clelia Peronneau McGowan (1865-1956) of Charleston was a pioneer woman suffragist in South Carolina. After the 19th Amendment was passed giving women the right to vote, she became the first woman...
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Anne King Gregorie (1887-1960), born in Porcher's Bluff near Mt. Pleasant, made significant contributions to the understanding and promotion of South Carolina history. A graduate of Winthrop College...
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John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (1917- ), a native of Cheraw, began playing the trombone and the trumpet in 1929. He studied harmony and music theory at Laurinburg Institute in North Carolina before...
