Tom Turnipseed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Turnipseed
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Member of the South Carolina Senate from the 8th district |
|
| In office 1976–1980 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born |
George Thomas Turnipseed
August 27, 1936 Mobile, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | March 6, 2020 (aged 83) Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Judith Davis
(m. 1963) |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Columbia, South Carolina |
| Alma mater | University of North Carolina University of North Carolina School of Law |
| Occupation | Attorney |
George Thomas Turnipseed (born August 27, 1936 – died March 6, 2020) was a lawyer and a member of the South Carolina Senate. He was known for working to make society fairer for everyone. In the late 1970s, he became very active in the Civil Rights Movement, which he had not supported earlier. He often spoke and wrote about civil rights and making things right for all people.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Tom Turnipseed was born on August 27, 1936, in Mobile, Alabama. He went to the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. There, he earned his first degree and his law degree.
While at the university, he met Judith ("Judy") Davis, who was a graduate student. They got married in 1963 and had two children. Tom Turnipseed passed away in 2020 because of breathing problems.
Political Journey and Campaigns
In 1966, Tom Turnipseed became the first leader of the South Carolina Independent School Association. This group helped to approve schools that were set up to keep white and Black students separate.
Later, Turnipseed worked for George Wallace's presidential campaign in 1968. Wallace was a former governor of Alabama. After this campaign, Turnipseed, like Wallace, rejoined the Democratic Party. Turnipseed then started to support the more open-minded side of the party. He joined a group called Americans for Democratic Action, which was started by important figures like Eleanor Roosevelt.
Serving in the South Carolina Senate
Turnipseed was elected to the South Carolina Senate and served from 1976 to 1980. In 1980, he ran for a seat in the U.S. Congress, representing South Carolina's 2nd district. He lost to the person already holding the position, Floyd D. Spence. Spence was a Republican and a lawyer from Columbia.
During this election, a Republican campaign worker, Lee Atwater, spread rumors about Turnipseed. He talked about Turnipseed's past medical treatments from when he was a teenager. Turnipseed had spoken about this before, but Atwater's actions made it a much bigger issue. This hurt Turnipseed's chances of winning. Years later, when Atwater was very sick, he wrote to Turnipseed to say he was sorry. Turnipseed accepted his apology and even went to Atwater's funeral.
Later Elections
In 1982, Turnipseed ran for Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina. He lost in a second round of voting to Michael R. Daniel. A writer named Frye Gaillard said that Turnipseed was often "angry and shrill." Even people who agreed with him sometimes wished he would calm down. He tried to change his style for this campaign, but it was too late.
In 1998, Turnipseed ran for Attorney General of South Carolina as a Democrat. He won in many counties and got more than 46 percent of the votes. However, he was defeated by the person already in office, Charlie Condon.
Working for Social Justice
Tom Turnipseed was the president of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association. He also led the Center for Democratic Renewal, a group that used to be called the National Anti-Klan Network. This group worked against hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan.
Turnipseed helped a church called Macedonia Baptist Church in South Carolina. The church said the Ku Klux Klan burned their building in 1997. They sued the Klan for damages. In 1998, the church won $37 million from the Klan. For his work, Turnipseed received a special award for working towards social justice.
Turnipseed, who was of European descent, was also on the board of the South Carolina Hispanic Leadership Council. This group helps to inform and support the Hispanic community in the state.
Caring for the Environment
Turnipseed was also active in protecting the environment in South Carolina. He helped start the Citizens' Local Environmental Action Network (CLEAN). This group helps local citizens who are worried about toxic waste dumps in their areas. Turnipseed believed that dangerous waste sites are often placed in areas where minority groups and poorer communities live. He argued that these wastes can spread through the air, water, and soil, eventually threatening everyone.
Media Work and Writing
Tom Turnipseed hosted radio shows on several stations, including WCAY and WOIC. He also had a television show on WIS TV. His programs were places where people could talk about many different topics. He invited community leaders, politicians, sports figures, and artists to his shows. His show, "The Seed Show," was broadcast live on radio and online.
He traveled around the country, speaking and writing about political issues and human rights. His articles were published in major newspapers like The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Turnipseed's essays were also included in several books. One of his essays, "Renewing The Spirit Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: King Day at the Dome 2003," was featured in a college textbook.
