Lucille Whipper

Lucille Simmons Whipper (June 6, 1928 – August 27, 2021) was an American Democratic Party politician who served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1986 to 1996. Whipper is most well known for accomplishments in both education and politics. In the educational field, Whipper worked at two high schools before landing a job at the College of Charleston. Here, Whipper implemented an affirmative action program and played a major role in integrating the Avery Institute, a center dedicated to African American history, with the college. In politics, Whipper was the first black woman to represent a Charleston County seat in the legislature. She was also the first woman of color ever to be elected to the South Carolina General Assembly.

Early life Lucille Whipper was born on June 6, 1928, in Charleston, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Joseph Simmons and Sarah Washington, a couple who separated when Whipper was young. Growing up, Whipper spent her time in North Charleston and in the Liberty Hill section of east Charleston. Here, Whipper had an encounter with civil rights activism when her graduating class sought to desegregate the College of Charleston. A large group of people in her class applied to the College of Charleston, but their efforts of desegregation were unsuccessful. After becoming a private school, the college was able to stay segregated.

Education

Although Whipper was denied (along with a large part of her graduating class) from the College of Charleston, she was accepted into Talladega College in Alabama. Here, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and sociology. With the support of a variety of members on the Charleston College Academic board and the president of the college, Theodore Stern, Whipper was able to organize the Avery Institute of Afro-American History and Culture committee. Whipper was a democrat and represented seat 109, a working class district covering parts of the East Copper area, North Charleston, and the center of the Charleston peninsula. She served for ten years where she had two major legislative contributions. In 1992, Whipper was nominated for Speaker Pro Tempore (a top leadership post in the House), by Tim Rodgers in an attempt to send positive signals to the blacks. In a 36–86 vote, Whipper lost the race the Representative David H. Wilkins.

Awards and honors

Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters from Morris College (1989) and the University of Charleston (1992) Listed as one of “Charleston’s One Hundred Most Influential since 1670” in Charleston Magazine (2007) Benjamin Whipper had 5 children from a previous relationship, and Lucille Whipper had one child from a previous relationship. One of their children, Seth Whipper, followed in Whipper's footsteps and served as a representative in the South Carolina House of Representatives.

Whipper's husband, Benjamin, was a prominent member of the church. He was a pastor at two Charleston churches (Charity Baptist Church and St. Matthew Baptist Church) for nearly five decades. In 2003, for example, Whipper founded Low Country Aid to Africa (LCAA), an organization dedicated towards raising awareness and money for Africa. LCAA was ultimately created because Whipper believed the media was ignoring Africa's problems, especially since the Sept. 11 attacks. Her son, Seth Whipper, said there was no underlying cause for her death. Her funeral was held on Friday, September 3, 2021, at Grace Funeral Services, located at 1947 Highway 52, Moncks Corner, SC 29461. At the time of her death, Whipper had 19 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 26 great-great-grandchildren.