Bill Text: SC S1139 | 2011-2012 | 119th General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Dr. Ethel M. Henderson Taylor
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2012-04-18 - Read third time and sent to House [S1139 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2011-S1139-Introduced.html
A SENATE RESOLUTION
TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE UPON THE DEATH OF DR. ETHEL M. HENDERSON TAYLOR OF RICHLAND COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Ethel M. Henderson Taylor of Richland County on January 21, 2012; and
Whereas, born in Mountville in 1924, the young Ethel was the seventh of eight children born to James Willie and Ella Dendy Henderson. In preparation for her life's work, she earned a degree in English from Benedict College, graduating magna cum laude in 1946. Then, she accepted a position in broadcasting that was to change her life; and
Whereas, the story of Ethel Taylor's nearly sixty years in broadcasting is an extraordinary testimony of dedication, commitment to excellence, and her personal belief that service to others is the key to happiness in life; and
Whereas, she began her career by making history as the first female African-American radio announcer in South Carolina, her voice being the first one heard on Columbia's heritage radio station, WOIC, where she served in multiple capacities for forty-four years. She next joined the staff of Glory Communications' WFMV, where she hosted Golden Gospel Memories for many years; and
Whereas, during her early career with WOIC in the 1950's, families gathered every Saturday morning to listen to A Date With Ethel, a radio program that skillfully mixed music with announcements of community events, recipes for listeners' favorite dishes, and recordings of high school glee clubs from throughout the Midlands. It set the stage for the kind of dedication that would bring Ethel Taylor continued recognition for her broadcast accomplishments; and
Whereas, chief among her many honors, in 1973 Ethel Taylor was awarded an honorary doctorate by Hamilton State University after Billboard magazine named her one of the five top female announcers in the United States; and
Whereas, locally, Dr. Taylor was named 1977 Woman of the Year by the Midlands Chapter of the American Business Women's Association and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by WOIC Radio in 1994. She was invited in 1999 to the National Association of Broadcasters convention in San Francisco as a nominee for the prestigious NAB Marconi Radio Award for Small Market Personality of the Year; and
Whereas, more recently, Mayor Robert D. Coble of Columbia declared March 28, 2008, as Dr. Ethel Henderson Taylor Day in her honor, the Honorable James E. Clyburn presented a tribute in her honor to the U.S. House of Representatives, and the YMCA recognized her as one of Columbia's 10 Outstanding Career Women. In addition, the Ethel Mae Henderson Taylor Laboratory for Computer Science at Benedict College is named in her honor. She was also featured in the AT&T 2009 South Carolina African American History Calendar; and
Whereas, having professed Christ at an early age, Ethel Taylor gave forty-seven years of service to Columbia's St. Mark Baptist Church. She served as deaconess, Missionary Society president, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School director, and church organist, the latter for thirty-three years. She and her husband of fifty-five years, the late John B. Taylor, Sr., also served God in raising nine children, who gave their parents the joy of nineteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; and
Whereas, truly multidimensional in her accomplishments, this 1946 magna cum laude graduate of Benedict College also was an educator for the Richland County public schools and Benedict College for a total of almost sixty years. She celebrated her retirement from broadcasting and teaching, as well as her eighty-fifth birthday, on March 28, 2008; and
Whereas, having been predeceased by her husband and by a son, Ludwald, Dr. Taylor leaves to cherish her memory eight children, John B., Jr., Gwendolyn, James, Audriene, Deborah, Melonie, Cheryl, and Melissa; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. She will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the death of Dr. Ethel M. Henderson Taylor of Richland County and extend the deepest sympathy to her family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to John B. Taylor, Jr., for the family.
