Representative Cathy Harvin
SC House of Representatives, District 64 (D)
Cathy B. Harvin began serving in the House of Representatives in February of 2006, having been elected to fill the remainder of the term of her late husband, Alex Harvin III who died in October 2005. During her brief tenure, Harvin has been elected by her colleagues to serve as the Deputy Minority Leader of the House and has been appointed to Chair the Committee on Health and Environmental Affairs. In the 2008 legislative session, Harvin was instrumental in securing two million dollars for the Best Chance Network which provides breast and cervical cancer screening for uninsured women. She also worked diligently to promote the concept of providing fee free or low fee wireless internet access for all South Carolinians.
Prior to servicing in the House of Representatives, Harvin served on the Coastal Carolina University Board of Trustees (1993 – 2006), was appointed by the Governor to serve on the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (1998 - 2002), and served as President of the South Carolina Higher Education Foundation (2002 - 2006). Cathy serves on the board of the Santee Lynches Regional Council for Governments. Harvin is a past President of the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce and has served on the board of the United Way of Sumter, Clarendon and Lee Counties and the board of the Pee Dee Regional Education Foundation. She is a 1994 graduate of Leadership South Carolina.
Professionally, Harvin is the Major Accounts Manager for South Carolina K12 Education for Dell Computer.
Here are Ms. Harvin's answers to some questions posed by the Institute.
South Carolina would be a better place if only...
Our leaders could be ever mindful that the true test of leadership is the ability to seek out what is right and to take action upon it, no matter what the consequence. We so often see personal agendas getting in the way of what makes good business sense, what will propel this State forward toward continuous improvement.
Political woman most admired, and why:
Shirley Chisholm, first black woman elected to the United States Congress. Chisholm recognized what we all should know by now that, "Tremendous amounts of talent are being lost to our society just because that talent wears a skirt."
What is your leadership style?
I believe that leadership is not about being in the spotlight, it is about shedding light; helping others to overcome their problems and achieve their dreams.
What keeps you awake at night?
Thinking and strategizing about how to improve the lives of the people that I feel so privileged to serve.
Why you - why now for this position?
Through personal life trials, I have come to understand that there is no greater reward in life than having the opportunity to assist others with their life challenges. This is my priority as an elected official and a concerned member of the community. It will be my honor to continue to serve in a legislative capacity if re-elected."