Manuscript Collection

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Identifier

Accession 1742

Inclusive Dates

1925-1975, nd

Restrictions

Open under the rules and regulations of the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

Collection Size

.75 linear Feet, 1500 pieces

Language

English;

Historical Note

Martha Thomas Fitzgerald (1895-1981) was a Winthrop graduate in 1916 and a prominent South Carolina educator and politician. Mrs. Fitzgerald was the first woman elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in a general election.

Scope and Content Note

The Martha Thomas Fitzgerald Papers document the personal, professional, and public life of Martha Thomas Fitzgerald (1895–1981), a Winthrop College graduate (Class of 1916), educator, civic leader, and politician. Notably, Mrs. Fitzgerald was the first woman elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in a general election, marking a significant milestone in the state’s political history. The collection reflects her long career in education, public service, and civic engagement in South Carolina.

The collection consists primarily of correspondence related to Fitzgerald’s legislative service, her work with the South Carolina Department of Education, and her involvement in a wide range of civic and women’s organizations. Correspondence spans several decades and includes letters received during her tenure as a state representative and education official. Of particular interest are three letters from U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy dated 1959, which highlight her national political connections and influence.

Materials documenting Fitzgerald’s civic activities include newsletters, meeting minutes, reports, and related records from organizations such as women’s clubs and advocacy groups. These records illustrate her leadership roles and sustained commitment to women’s civic participation and public service. The collection also includes education-related essays and pamphlets she collected during her career as a teacher, as well as her academic transcript from Columbia University.

Additional materials include newspaper clippings covering Fitzgerald’s career and public life, photographs and postcards depicting social events and South Carolina rural schools, and various forms of memorabilia such as nametags, place cards, and business cards from events she attended. Personal writings—poems, notes, and song lyrics—offer insight into her creative interests, while brochures and programs reflect her cultural, political, and religious affiliations.

Together, the Martha Thomas Fitzgerald Papers provide valuable documentation of women’s political leadership, education reform, and civic life in South Carolina during the twentieth century, as well as the career of a pioneering woman legislator whose work bridged education, politics, and community service

Provenance

The papers of Martha Thomas Fitzgerald, educator and politician, were deposited as a gift by the Archives by Mrs. Ben H. Williams on September 7, 1979 with additions up until 1981. This collection was an addition to Accession 273 that was missed when processing.

Copyright

For information concerning copyright please contact the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections at Winthrop University.

Martha Thomas Fitzgerald Papers - Accession 1742

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