The SC Progressive Network has set up shop in the Modjeska Simkins House in downtown Columbia. We have been using the space for our monthly Midlands meetings over the past year, thanks to Historic Columbia Foundation, which has managed the property since 2007. In February we signed a lease to rent the house, and are now holding regular office hours there.

When Foundation Director Robin Waites handed over the keys, she said, “Modjeska must be smiling right now.”

Ms. Simkins was the matriarch of the state’s civil rights movement. Her work spanned six decades, until her death in 1992. The home where she lived for 60 years sits on a lot at 2025 Marion Street just off Elmwood. It served as office and meeting place, and housed visiting civil rights advocates, including Thurgood Marshall.

“The place has a really good vibe,” said Midlands Co-ordinator John Dawkins. “I’m excited to be moving into a space with so much history.”

Network Director Brett Bursey said, “We haven’t given up on owning our own building, but this is a gracious offer that is a good fit for us right now. Having offices right downtown will allow us to work with interns and volunteers, and will keep us more engaged with what’s happening in the city and in the State House.”

The Simkins House is fully accessible, has two offices, a kitchen, a sun room, a proper front porch and two meeting rooms — which we invite our member groups to use.

One of the first groups to express interest in holding meetings at the Network’s new headquarters is the Greater Columbia Central Labor Council. It has been meeting at the office of the state AFL-CIO, which is in the process of moving outside of Columbia.

“The timing is perfect for us,” said SC AFL-CIO President Donna Dewitt, who serves as Network Co-chair. “We’ll have a place to hold meetings as well as access to office space when we are in Columbia to lobby or attend hearings,” she said. “I think it’s going to be a vibrant place for our Network members to congregate and collaborate.”

Bursey said, “I worked closely with Ms. Simkins for 25 years, and was proud that she called me one of her children. It seems a wonderful opportunity to keep Modjeska’s spirit alive.”

If you are interested in using the House to hold your group’s meetings, call us at 803-808-3384 or email network@scpronet.com.

For more photos of the Simkins House, taken on Moving Day and at our first meeting in our new headquarters, click here.

Modjeska Simkins

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Join us for a house warming party March 7, 5:30-7pm
Modjeska Simkins House, 2025 Marion St., Columbia
FREE and open to all. Come help us celebrate!