A house RESOLUTION

to CONGRATULATE dr. vivian ayers allen ON THE OCCASION OF HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY, TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR HER for her accomplishments as a poet and cultural activist, and to wish her A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MUCH happiness in the days ahead.

Whereas, on July 29, 2023, Dr. Ayers Allen will awaken to the celebration of a milestone event: her one hundredth birthday. A native of Chester, she has been a poet and cultural activist for more than sixty years and she has spent nearly two decades serving as the founding director of the Brainerd Institute Heritage in Chester; and

Whereas, the Brainerd Institute was formed as an elite educational institution for newly liberated African slaves by the Presbyterian USA Church in 1866, eventually offering all grades through high school. Dr. Ayers Allen was the youngest member of the school's last graduating class in 1939. The site is currently home to Workshops in Open Fields, a program she originally started in Houston, Texas, created to foster and promote preschool literacy; and

Whereas, her literary career began in Houston, Texas, in 1952 with the publication of "Spice of Dawn", a collection of poems that was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. "Hawk", an allegory of freedom made analogous to space flight, followed and was published in 1957, just before the launch of Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite sent from Earth into orbit. "Hawk" would later earn praise from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at their Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center where enlarged reproductions of the writings are exhibited; and

Whereas, Dr. Ayers' talents and interests also include the research of world cultures. She studied Latin and French at Brainerd Institute and classical Greek at Rice University, Columbia University, and Princeton University. In addition, she has studied and translated texts on Mayan culture and astronomy. Her thirst for knowledge and her subsequent accomplishments have earned her Honorary Doctorates from Bennett College and Wilberforce University; and

Whereas, Dr. Ayers Allen dedicates her ongoing life accomplishments to her immediate family, from whom she has always received support and encouragement. She is the mother of four talented children: musician "Tex" Allen; choreographer, actress, and an executive director and producer of Grey's Anatomy, Debbie Allen; Tony award-winning actress, Phylicia Rashad; and regional president of TD Bank, Hugh Allen; and

Whereas, in honor of Dr. Ayers Allen's milestone birthday, Clemson University is republishing her epic NASA celebrated poem, "Hawk". In addition, various readings from the poem will be read by her daughters and other special guests on the beautiful grounds of Brainerd Institute Heritage; and

Whereas, it is a great pleasure to honor this daughter of South Carolina at the celebration of her one hundredth birthday and to join with her family and friends in congratulating her on reaching this important life milestone. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Dr. Vivian Ayers Allen on the occasion of her one hundredth birthday, recognize and honor her for her accomplishments as a poet and cultural activist, and wish her a joyous birthday celebration and much happiness in the days ahead.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Vivian Ayers-Allen.

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