Business and Professional Women’s Spartanburg Chapter has created a 30-minute documentary titled “Miss Perry Will Speak: A Century of Business & Professional Women of South Carolina” about the history of the 104-year-old organization, looking at its impact and how the role of women in the workforce has changed over the last century. The documentary will premiere on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at Spartanburg Community College with a special event featuring networking, a Q&A, and a celebration. SC Humanities supported this documentary film with a Planning Grant and a Major Grant.
Miss Jim Perry was the first female lawyer in South Carolina and one of the original founders of the Business and Professional Women of South Carolina in 1919. For over 100 years, the Business and Professional Women of South Carolina have challenged the beliefs and practices that denied women equal access to fair pay and treatment in the workplace. The 30-minute documentary tells the powerful story of Miss Perry and the countless women of South Carolina who are part of this extraordinary history.
The documentary premiere will take place on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at Spartanburg Community College (220 East Kennedy Street Spartanburg, SC 29302). The free event will include a networking portion featuring “Miss Perry Mocktails”; the premiere of the film; a Q&A with the documentary team, during which legacy members will be recognized; and a celebration. While the event is free, reservations are requested: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/miss-perry-will-speak-documentary-premiere-tickets-1128778951229.
“Miss Perry Will Speak” will have additional screenings around the state over 2025. More details about other opportunities to engage with the film will be shared soon.
The mission of Business and Professional Women of South Carolina is to enhance the lives of powerful working women professionally, personally, and politically through advocacy, education, and information.
The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. Established in 1973, this 501(c)3 organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state. It presents and supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos, and other humanities-based experiences that directly or indirectly reach more than 250,000 citizens annually. South Carolina Humanities receives funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities as well as corporate, foundation and individual donors. The National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.
Featured image: In 1977 Hattie Haulbrook (seated far right) became SC President, and she is interviewed in the documentary. Jeri Libner (seated 2nd from left) became the national president. Image courtesy of Business and Professional Women of South Carolina.
