South Carolina S 861: Observance of USPS release of Poet Phillis Wheatley Stamp January 29, 2026

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 861 Text of Previous Version (Jan. 28, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 861

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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

A senate RESOLUTION

TO HONOR AMERICAN REVOLUTION-ERA 
POET PHILLIS WHEATLEY AND TO RECOGNIZE JANUARY 29, 2026, AS THE OFFICIAL DATE 
ON WHICH THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE WILL ISSUE A STAMP COMMEMORATING HER 
ENDURING LITERARY LEGACY.

Whereas, Phillis Wheatley, a formerly enslaved woman, became known as 
the first author of African descent in the American colonies to publish a book, 
and whose literary achievements were recognized by prominent Americans 
including George Washington, Samson Occom, and Thomas Paine, as well as by 
British figures John Thornton and John Newton; and

Whereas, the people of the Midlands honored Wheatley beginning in 
1930 through the establishment of a public library branch bearing her name, 
sponsored by the Rosenwald Foundation to expand library services to African 
American residents. It was first housed in the Phillis Wheatley YWCA at 1429 
Park Street and later relocated to 2314 Gervais Street in Waverly and remained 
at that location until 1972. Currently, it is the Richland Library Wheatley 
branch at 931 Woodrow Street. It opened in 1993 and was named through the 
influence of Richland Library Board member Ethel Martin Bolden to preserve 
Wheatley's legacy; and

Whereas, the people of the Lowcountry honored Wheatley through the 
enduring work of the Phillis Wheatley Literary and Social Club, founded in 
1916, whose papers are held at the Avery Research Center at the College of 
Charleston. The club fostered the study of writers such as Carter G. Woodson 
and W.E.B. DuBois while supporting organizations including the Jenkins 
Orphanage and the NAACP; and

Whereas, the people of the Upstate honored Wheatley first with the 
founding in 1919 of the Phillis Wheatley Association on Haynie Street by Hattie 
Logan Duckett. It served as a social and academic center for young Black women 
and later moved to East McBee Avenue. It expanded to serve boys and girls. In 
1924, the association moved to 121 Broad Street as the Phillis Wheatley Center. 
From 1930 to 1970, the center served as the Black YWCA. It was a support center 
for Black World War II soldiers and became a neighborhood hub. In 1978, a new 
building was dedicated to the historic Nicholtown community. In the 1980s, the 
Phillis Wheatley Repertory Theatre was added, counting actor and singer Phillip 
Boykin among its distinguished alumni. In 1999, the center gained upper and 
lower campuses, and in 2019, the facility became the Phillis Wheatley Community 
Center; and 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate take pride that the 
honor bestowed upon Phillis Wheatley within this State has endured for more 
than a century and continues to be recognized during the 250th anniversary of 
the founding of the United States of America and beyond. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, 
honor American Revolution-era Poet Phillis Wheatley and recognize January 29, 
2026, as the official date on which the United States Postal Service will issue 
a stamp commemorating her enduring literary legacy. 

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This web page was last updated on January 28, 2026 at 02:02 PM