Dr. Matilda A. Evans Day

2025-2026 Bill 5132: Dr. Matilda A. Evans Day - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
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H. 5132
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. McDaniel and King
Document Path: LC-0524SA26.docx
Introduced in the House on February 10, 2026
Currently residing in the House Committee on
Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs
Summary: Dr. Matilda A. Evans Day
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

2/10/2026

House

Introduced and read first time (
House Journal-page 9
)

2/10/2026

House

Referred to Committee on
Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs
(
House Journal-page 9
)

View the latest
legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
02/10/2026

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION
53-3-340
SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE EIGHTEENTH DAY OF MAY OF EACH YEAR IS
DESIGNATED AS "DR. MATILDA A. EVANS DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

W
hereas, the members of
the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to honor the memory of
Dr. Matilda Arabella Evans, a trailblazer in the medical field and a devoted
servant to the people of South Carolina; and

W
hereas, the daughter
of Anderson and Harriet Evans, Dr. Evans was born on May 13, 1872, in Aiken
County, South Carolina, where her early drive for education and service began
to take root; and

W
hereas, after
attending the Schofield Normal and Industrial School in Aiken, she pursued
higher education at Oberlin College in Ohio and earned her medical degree from
the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1897; and

W
hereas, Dr. Evans
received her license to practice medicine in 1897, officially becoming the
first African American woman licensed to practice in the State of South
Carolina, shattering barriers and dedicating her life to the health and
wellness of underserved communities; and

W
hereas, recognizing
the desperate need for healthcare facilities for African Americans, she founded
the Taylor Lane Hospital and Training School for Nurses in Columbia, the first
Black-owned hospital in the city, as well as St. Luke's Hospital and Evans Sanatorium;
and

W
hereas, Dr. Evans was
a tireless advocate for public health, establishing the Negro Health
Association of South Carolina, founding the Columbia Clinic Association which
provided free medical care to thousands of children, and serving as president
of the Palmetto State Medical Society, a position which was not only a first
for this State but also the first African American woman to have occupied such
a position in the United States; and

W
hereas, her compassion
extended far beyond her professional practice into her personal life. Though
she never married, she created a loving home, adopting six children, John,
Mattie, Gretchen, Myrtle, Edward, and Sydney, and raised and educated many others;
and

W
hereas, the
inspirational story of Dr. Evans and her remarkable journey has been chronicled
in the book South Carolina's Matilda Evans: A Medical Pioneer, co-authored by
Dr. Walter B. Curry Jr., Anusha Ghosh, and Beverly Aiken Muhammad, with a
foreword by Dr. Bobby Donaldson, ensuring that her legacy continues to educate
and inspire future generations; and

W
hereas, the Dr.
Matilda Evans Educational Foundation actively works to preserve her memory and
continue her lifelong commitment to education, health equity, and community
service; and

W
hereas, Dr. Evans'
life was a testament to the power of resilience, generosity, and community
service, and it is fitting that a day be set aside to honor her many
contributions. Now, therefore,

B
e it enacted by the
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

S
ECTION 1.
C
hapter 3, Title 53 of the S.C. Code is amended by
adding:

S
ection
53-3-340
. The eighteenth day of May of each year is designated as "Dr. Matilda
A. Evans Day" in South Carolina.

S
ECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval
by the Governor.

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This web page was last updated on February 10, 2026 at 1:20 PM