Byrd, Alma W., April 25, 2000
Scope and Contents
The South Carolina Black Legislators Oral History Project contains nine oral histories conducted by Dr. Todd Moye, a postdoctoral fellow at the Avery Research Center, between 1999 and 2000. Participants discuss their family history, their interest in politics, accomplishments during their political careers, and thoughts about the state of South Carolina politics and their political legacies.
The oral histories are arranged alphabetically by last name at the file level. More information about the content of each oral history can be found in the abstract at the file level of each interview. The audio recordings for the oral histories with Rep. Brenda Lee and Sen. McKinley Washington Jr. are currently missing. There is a transcript for the interview with Rep. Lee, but there is no transcript for Sen. Washington Jr.
Dates
- Creation: April 25, 2000
Creator
- From the Collection: Avery Research Center (Organization)
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research. A cassette player is required to listen to the audiocassette tapes. A cassette player will be made available to researchers in our reading room. The Avery Research Center does not currently have the technology to read the floppy disks.
Full Extent
From the Collection: .209 linear feet (1 half Hollinger box, 7 audiocassette tapes, 6 floppy disks)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Abstract
Alma Weaver Byrd discusses her family history in the Edgefield and Aiken areas, her attendance at Benedict College, her master's degree in French from Columbia University, and her work in creating French exchange programs between Benedict College and colleges in France. She then discusses her involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and what drew her to getting involved in politics, beginning with serving on the Richland County School District 1 School Board in 1980 and the South Carolina Legislature in 1991. She then discusses the issues constituents in her District, District 71, experience, her involvement with the National Council of Negro Women, and her affiliation with the Baptist Church. She continues by discussing the other African American women who served in the legislature at the same time as her and the importance of the Black Caucus as well as her thoughts on redistricting. She then outlines her main political concerns including the racial disparities in policing, property taxes and housing, and the economic boycott of South Carolina relating to the Confederate Flag.
The oral history is conducted by Dr. Todd Moye.
Repository Details
Part of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture Repository
125 Bull Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424 United States
843-953-7608
averyresearchcenter@cofc.edu