The bill H. 3415 proposes to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding a new section, 53-3-320, which designates June 22nd of each year as "Sarah Mae Flemming Day" in South Carolina. This date commemorates the significant act of civil disobedience by Sarah Mae Flemming, who, in 1954, challenged segregation on city buses in Columbia, South Carolina. Her actions predated and influenced the more widely recognized stand taken by Rosa Parks in Montgomery, Alabama, and her subsequent legal battle against the South Carolina Electric and Gas Company (SCE&G) played a crucial role in the fight against bus segregation.

The bill highlights Flemming's legacy as an unsung hero of the civil rights movement, detailing her background and the impact of her actions on the broader struggle for equality. The act will take effect upon approval by the Governor, ensuring that her contributions to civil rights are formally recognized each year in South Carolina.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 53-3-320
Latest Version: 53-3-320
12/06/2024: 53-3-320