North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
By Carol Stigger
South Carolina Senator Katrinia Shealy addressed nearly 80 VOICE members at their monthly luncheon on Monday, October 20. Shealy is a trailblazer in South Carolina politics, bringing both grit and compassion to her twelve years of service in the state Senate. First elected in 2012 as a petition candidate, she made history as the only woman in the chamber at the time.
She talked about politicians trading their principals for power and the toll this takes on vulnerable people in South Carolina. She questioned a political body that forces birth and then kicks the child to the curb by doing nothing for the child’s well-being.
Shealy, along with five other senators, formed a bipartisan coalition to block legislation that would inflict a draconian abortion ban on the women of South Carolina. For this work, they were awarded the 2023 JFK Profile in Courage Award. Although trampled by the political machine and no longer in office, Shealy is not silenced.
She identified the state legislators who need to be retired so that women and children will be better protected and offered specific actions her audience can take. Luncheon guests had more questions than time permitted and their applause followed her into the parking lot.
VOICE is a local grassroots organization that empowers women of all ages and all walks of life through support, information and advocacy to strengthen democracy in our communities. To learn more about VOICE, visit their website: www.voicenmb.org.
