South Carolina H 3681: Gladys Gaillard-McBride-Pearls and Tea

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 3681 Text of Previous Version (Jan. 15, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 3681

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MAJOR GLADYS GAILLARD-MCBRIDE 
(RET.) OF CHAPIN FOR EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRLS THROUGH ESTABLISHING THE 
SISTERHOOD OF MCDANIEL'S PEARLS & TEA IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, the South 
Carolina House of Representatives takes great pleasure to learn that Major 
Gladys Gaillard-McBride (Ret.) of Chapin, using her distinguished career 
experiences and knowledge, has empowered South Carolina women and girls through 
establishing the sisterhood of McDaniel's Pearls & Tea; and

Whereas, Gladys 
Gaillard McBride is a proud daughter of Columbia, South Carolina. She was born 
on May 20, 1947, the ninth of Charlie L. and Anner C. McDaniel's eleven 
children. Birthed in Ward One at 818 Lincoln Street, reared in a loving family, 
and nurtured in a strong, close-knit community, she was destined to be a role 
model for women who embody the spirit of selfless giving; and

Whereas, after 
graduating in the Class of 1965 from Booker T. Washington High School, Gladys 
started her nursing education at the Medical University of South Carolina 
(MUSC) and in 1969 graduated from the first LPN program that admitted African 
American students. In 1974, after expressing her desire to rise in her 
profession, she joined the Army Reserves. In 1977, she earned a bachelor's 
degree in nursing from MUSC and went on full active duty in the United States 
Army as a second lieutenant; and

Whereas, between her first 
active-duty station at Columbia's Fort Jackson to her last at Fort Moore, 
Georgia, Gladys earned a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from 
Pepperdine University, a Master of Science in Nursing, and a Nurse Practitioner 
Certificate from Troy State University. She has held countless roles as an Army 
nurse, including ER nurse, hospital supervisor, officer in charge of burn unit 
flight team, medical surgical inpatient supervisor, 209th chief nurse, and ROTC 
consultant, to name a few. During time of war, Gladys was deployed to noncombat 
zones to retrieve burn patients. Her retirement in 1997 marked the end of a 
distinguished military career and the beginning of a new journey; and

Whereas, known to be a classy 
lady by her five adult children, twenty grandchildren, thirteen great 
grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren, Gladys can always be seen 
wearing a string of pearls. She believes in the sentiment of her late mother, 
Anner Clay, that "a real lady never leaves home without her pearls"; and

Whereas, the South 
Carolina House of Representatives appreciates Major Gladys Gaillard-McBride for 
her commitment to empowered South Carolina women and girls through establishing 
the sisterhood of McDaniel's Pearls & Tea. Since 2014, on the third 
Saturday of October, Gladys has hosted the McDaniel's Tea & Pearls event in 
honor of her mother and all McDaniel women who have passed away. Elegantly 
costumed in pearls, stylish hats, and dresses while seated at tables each of 
which is adorned with a white linen tablecloth, a single red rose, and real 
china teacups, women and young girls are served afternoon tea and sandwiches. 
During the tea party, women are encouraged to share knowledge, wisdom, and 
ideas and to remember those who have impacted their lives. The girls, 12 years 
of age, are individually presented with a single strand of pearls by their 
mothers and Gladys, who share what pearls represent and how love and respect 
for themselves and the sisterhood are essential in the transition of young 
girls into ladies who know who they are as women. Over the past ten years, 
different guest speakers have been invited to the tea party to share their 
pearls of knowledge, experience, and information on topics such as the 
importance of women's health, why women should register to vote, the power of a 
woman's vote, finances and investing, loving yourself as a woman, and loving 
and caring for the family and the sisterhood. Former and future attendees much 
anticipate the McDaniel's Pearls & Tea annual tea party. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House 
of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize 
and honor Major Gladys Gaillard McBride (Ret.) of Chapin for empowering women 
and girls through establishing the sisterhood of McDaniel's Pearls & Tea in 
the State of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution 
be presented to Major Gladys Gaillard McBride (Ret.).

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