The first African American woman elected to S. Carolina's legislature, died alone, frozen to death.

[TheBigotBasher]

Juanita Goggins is seen in a 1974 file photo in Rock Hill, S.C. Goggins was the first black woman elected to the the South Carolina Legislature in 1974, and was hailed as a trailblazer at the time. Three decades later, Goggins died alone and freezing in the home she rented for 16 years, just four miles from the gleaming Statehouse dome.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - When Juanita Goggins became the first black woman elected to the South Carolina Legislature in 1974, she was hailed as a trailblazer and twice visited the president at the White House.

Three decades later, she froze to death at age 75, a solitary figure living in a rented house four miles from the gleaming Statehouse dome.

Goggins, whose achievements included key legislation on school funding, kindergarten and class size, had become increasingly reclusive. She spent her final years turning down help from neighbors who knew little of her history-making past. Her body was not discovered for more than a week.

<snip>

She taught in the state's segregated schools, married a dentist and got into politics. In 1972, she became the first black woman to represent South Carolina as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. Two years later, she became the first black woman appointed to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission.

"I am going to Columbia to be a legislator, not just a black spot in the House chambers," she told The Associated Press in 1974 following her victory over an incumbent white man from a district just south of Charlotte, N.C

<snip>

Last year, about the same time the Legislature voted to name part of a state highway after her, Goggins was mugged near her home. She changed the locks on her door and stopped taking walks, according her neighbors and landlord.

Police found Goggins' body March 3 — two weeks after she was last seen. Her landlord contacted police after a next-door neighbor realized he had not seen her lights on in some time.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35803876/ns/us_news-life/

[NYC_SKP]

1. "Her body was not discovered for more than a week." This is sad beyond words.

God bless her soul.

She gave her life to others, bless her.

:hug:

[lonestarnot]

2. That death was just wrong.

[Blue_Tires]

3. Rest In Peace, State Rep. Goggins

:cry: :cry:

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. That is just horrible.

How do things like this happen in America?

[Cleita]

7. South Carolina? Let me guess.

I don't want to get into a north vs. south discussion. I want South Carolinians and others that might have better insight than I do to argue me down that your state doesn't really take care of your brown people even if they were accomplished and achieved some milestones.

[Mimosa]

11. Cleita, the same happens to elderly white women too, in other states.

I knew a woman who died that way. Being old and alone, male or female, is the main risk factor to such tragedies.

[Cleita]

17. I apologize.

Maybe I was over the line.

[Mimosa]

21. No need. You're right, too. *HUG*

This tragedy is indicative of how the elderly are vulnerable. Do you remember the unprecedented heat wave in France, in 2003? At least 14 thousand people died of heat stroke in one month, most were elderly. There were no programs to give them fans, no thought towards their needs. Many of the elderly everywhere are forgotten, the great and the obscure. It is heartbreaking.

I wish people on DU would check for existing threads. Your topic on Congresswoman Goggins death came before some later ones.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

19. yes, also being reclusive has a negative impact

So sad....she looks so kind and beautiful in the picture...... :tears welling up here, a bit:.....

And according to the article, people were actually there, offering help, but she refused. That is also heartbreaking. (I don't know which is sadder; no one to help, or help rebuffed...... )


As the article states, she was reclusive. I am NOT casting blame -- I AM saying, that's not so uncommon among our senior citizens. As we get older, in this judgemental and superficial beauty obsessed society, elders are pushed to the fringes. It takes energy to stay connected to other people, energy to get out there, to find other people, to stay in touch, to move your ass even though you feel weak, in pain, ill, creaky.........

And women are in the majority when it comes to old and alone.

When I pass elderly women out in the store, I ALWAYS make an effort to smile and look them in the eye, chat a little bit if they say something..... it's not easy for me, being an isolator myself, but the response I always get from them -- wide eyed surprise first, then a small bewildered smile, that grows the longer I stay connected! -- tells me that their everyday experience does NOT include much human connection.

[Mimosa]

8. The elderly are often socially isolated, ignored.

I've feared that could happen to me if I live long enough. When one has no living children, one is often forgotten, even by relatives.

What a lovely woman she was. I hope she is in heaven, loved and no longer lonely.

[Fire1]

12. You don't know just how true that is. I've known a number of

such cases over the years and not just regarding the 'elderly.'

[bullwinkle428]

5. This is the very definition of tragic.

:( :patriot:

[Starry Messenger]

6. That's horrible.

RIP Rep. Goggins.

[Wednesdays]

9. That's America in a nutshell.

nt

[emilyg]

10. How very sad.

[EFerrari]

13. This poor lady. It's hard to believe no one could intervene.

I hope she at least went in her sleep.

[BrklynLiberal]

14. Whata horrific tragedy......

[Solly Mack]

15. RIP

Sad, tragic...

[happyslug]

16. Duplicate Topic

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4301613

[TheBigotBasher]

22. Not everyone reads LBN.

Including me. Given the history of this great lady and the tragic way she died, I personally felt it important to discuss here.

[Number23]

18. Good Lord. Where was this woman's family??

Was there no one around who could check on her? The article mentions that she had a son. How did this happen?

This is just terribly sad and awful.

[L0oniX]

20. A fine example of the american people ...who don't give a fuck about anyone but themselves.

There's plenty of people dieing everyday in this country because no one cares enough ....health care included. Wonderful country where if you don't have money ...you die! Makes me want to puke.

[elleng]

23. A Trailblazer of Civil Rights Dies Forgotten.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/12/us/12frozen.html?hp

[elleng]

24. 'Her death might have been prevented,

family members say, if only Ms. Goggins had been more receptive to help. Her son, Horace W. Goggins Jr., and Ms. Martin had both asked Richland County’s department of adult protective services to monitor Ms. Goggins, but she had refused their assistance.

“It’s just so sad,” Ms. Martin said. “You reach out to help a person, and they reject you. What else can you do?”'


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/12/us/12frozen.html?hp

EACH life converges to some centre
Expressed or still;
Exists in every human nature
A goal,

Admitted scarcely to itself, it may be,
Too fair
For credibility’s temerity
To dare.

Adored with caution, as a brittle heaven,
To reach
Were hopeless as the rainbow’s raiment
To touch,

Yet persevered toward, surer for the distance;
How high
Unto the saints’ slow diligence
The sky!

Ungained, it may be, by a life’s low venture,
But then,
Eternity enables the endeavoring
Again.


Emily Dickinson