Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics

Women have been blazing political trails in SC for more than two centuries. Read some of their stories and let them give you reason to actively participate in politics. If you have a story that should be told, please email us at info@scelectswomen.com.

SC Representative Phyllis Henderson: Plan carefully and be prepared to work hard

Representative Phyllis Henderson's first experience with a political campaign was in 1992, when her friend Bob Inglis approached her at church and asked if she would like to help with his campaign for Congress. Henderson had just left her job with the Greenville Chamber of Commerce following the birth of her first child, but decided that she would get involved with Inglis' campaign. Six years later, she took on an official political role as the campaign manager for Jim DeMint's successful 1998 Congressional race. Read more.

Rep. Mia Butler Garrick Launched a Winning Campaign in Two Focused Weeks

Eight weeks is not a long time.  A quick Google search will tell you eight weeks is the wait before being allowed to donate blood again, or non-expedited QVC shipping, or the time it will take the State Department to get back to you about a new passport.  Eight weeks isn't long enough to receive SAT scores or grow a tomato plant. But once she decided to run, Garrick organized her campaign in two weeks. Just eight short weeks later, Garrick was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives. Garrick says: When I started, I didn't know what the heck I was doing, so others can learn quickly like I did and win the race! Read more.

Skip Webb, Founder of the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics

This month's Inspiring Woman story is a tribute to the man who had the vision and the determination to found the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics. Five years ago Sherman E. "Skip" Webb started with a question on a legal pad in the middle of the night: "Where have all the women in South Carolina politics gone?" Today, the organization Webb dreamed of is working hard to make sure South Carolina elects more women in 2012 than ever before in the history of South Carolina. Read more.

Meet Barbara Morgan, A Public Servant in the Courtroom

With only one woman solicitor to serve as an example, former Aiken Solicitor, Barbara Morgan, faced a dilemma in 1989 when she decided to run for the position left open by her predecessor. "It wasn't too long before that that women weren't even allowed to serve on juries," Morgan laughs. "There were serious doubts that the governor would even appoint a woman - it was considered risky, unproven." But Morgan's love the law made it worth facing the scrutiny of the governor's appointment process. Four terms later in 2009, Barbara Morgan, a Republican, retired to do other things with her time. Today, she tells women to not be afraid and to realize that women bring a wonderful and unique perspective to politics and public service. Read more.

Hard Work, Optimism, and a Swim Class: Former Rock Hill Mayor Betty Jo Rhea’s Road to Success

When Betty Jo Rhea was elected the first female Mayor of the City of Rock Hill, the unemployment rate was 17.29% and rising. Just like the enterprising woman she is, Mayor Rhea shouldered the problem and set about revitalizing the downtown, attracting new business, and creating green initiatives. This lifetime Rock Hill resident shares her tips>>

Councilwoman Odessa Gregg Wins First Election at 75

When Gregg was running for office, she imagined herself talking to each voter as a friend, approaching even unfamiliar faces openly. This allowed her to achieve a high degree of comfort in a new field - and win the election. When asked about her age, Gregg told crowds, "Does anyone want to die young?" Read the whole story to learn more from this sage councilwoman>>

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