Local News

Rocket Girls exhibit to honor pilot

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Town of Summerton 4 MAIN, in community partnership with Scott’s Branch High Alumni Association, SC presents the International Women’s Air & Space Museum Traveling Exhibition, “Bessie Coleman and her Daughters”. This public, indoor educational exhibition from Cleveland, Ohio features 17 panels that tell the story of the first African- American woman to receive her pilot’s license. Though her life was short-lived, Bessie Coleman has inspired generations of African-American female pilots and astronauts.
The traveling exhibition will also be on display at the Harvin Clarendon County Library.
4 Main will also feature aviation and aerospace fine art and photography, model aircraft, and for a second year, an exhibit from the South Carolina Military Museum located in Columbia, South Carolina. 
The Rocket Girls II opening ceremony was held at Scott’s Branch Middle/High School, 9253 Alex Harvin Hwy, Summerton, SC on Jan 8. Guests speakers were Master Sergeant Jessica Mann and Staff Sergeant Athena R. Sanchez from Shaw Air Force Base 20th Component Maintenance Squadron.
The ceremony also included Summerton Mayor Mac Bagnal, Dana Smith and Jason Wolfe from the Pittsburg Institute of Aeronautics located in Myrtle Beach, SC who offered information on aviation careers, PIA history and what the school offers, and an interactive exhibit set-up for students.
This free public event also featured a presentation/exhibit by Women in Aviation (WIA) Palmetto Pride Chapter President Leslie Lane and Vice President Tiffania Ham Fayall, and Beatrice Rivers, Secretary of the South Carolina Chapter Scott’s Branch High Alumni Association, who spoke on the organizations history and its role in the community.
The exhibition will run from Jan 8 to Feb 8, and is displayed in Summerton, as well as Manning.