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Gullah Geechee Tours

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VOTED THE #1 GULLAH TOUR IN CHARLESTON!

The Hidden Culture of the Gullah People 

Come See & Feel the Gullah people:

An amazingly colorful history with so much beauty but most importantly:

It's a history this world has Never Ever Heard before now. The Gullah are a very spiritual people. A special group of Black African Americans descending from before the Atlantic Slave Trade still living here in the Sea Islands of Charleston, SC today.

How DEEP do you REALLY want to go?

*WARNING* 

All we offer is the Truth

True Historical & Biblical Secrets of this great and "Holy City" of Charleston, SC. What does Gullah mean? The “TRUE” meaning of GULLAH is revealed on this tour. No other tour company talks about slavery nor do they talk about the Black African American Experience “like we do.” We teach on the true culture of an ancient people that is hiding right in the front of your eyes. The history everyone wants to know about but nobody wants to talk about. Charleston is the BEGINNING of the African American EXPERIENCE & history. The term "African American" is the newest of the many different “NICKNAMES” given to this peculiar nation of black people brought from Africa to America by way of “Slave Ships”. This history has never been told before now, as the Gullah people say: "Look Yah, Do yu hav da Ears ta Hear or da Eyes ta See?" 

King Charles and his lord proprietors knew all about "The secrets of the Gullah" just as the queen of England knows it today. The Revolution and the Confederacy still keep this part of history hidden; this truth is still kept silent yet the City speaks volumes through its Symbolisms. It is of the highest in the Templar and Masonic Orders of Secrecy. Charleston holds many secrets. Secret societies, secret alleyways and most importantly Charleston is the World's Top Destination because of it’s Secret History. 

Tour Guide: Godfrey Jacob Jefferson Khill is the only Charleston Native Gullah Geechee Licensed Certified tour operator in the WORLD. Raised in the Gullah culture, knowing their ancient secrets and customs, Godfrey keeps the true history of the Gullah culture alive.

Prepare to have your minds blown! This tour will change your historical perspective forever! History you thought you knew challenged, and history you may have not known revealed! At first it may be hard to see but once you see, you will NEVER NOT SEE.

We operate out of a Black Mercedes Benz 2500 Sprinter for the ultimate experience in the finest of comfort. No other tour company offers audio & visuals on a large flat screen TV to give you an up close and personal experience as we journey through the history of the mysterious Gullah Geechee.   

SITES TO SEE The Holy Bible Slave Auction Blocks Rare and Original Moses Bulrush Basket The Gullah’s famous Sweetgrass Roses & Customs  The Aiken Rhett museum house with large slave quarters intact Philip Simmons famous gates  The Garden of Eden Long staple cotton Carolina Gold Rice & Rice Mill The actual GATEWAY into the Holy City Old Exchange Building & Provost Dungeon Nations largest Auction Block of the 1700's Slave Barr-a-Coons  The Largest Slave Auction Block & Market in the Nation of the 1800’s Slave Hanging tree, Denmark Vessey & Gullah Jack Mother Emanuel Church (Charleston 9 shooting)

Charleston has many happy and fluffy tours giving an amazing perspective of the city's history. This tour is NOT that.

*No Refunds*

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Gullah Tours

Review Highlights

“ The tour is run by Alphonso Brown , who is not only knowledgeable but HILARIOUS. ” in 6 reviews

“ The true history and meaning of slavery is the Gullah culture , a relic that still exists in the city. ” in 8 reviews

“ We learned so much about Charleston, Gullah (language) and even Historical details about past ( slavery to civil war), how it influences the present and whats coming in the future. ” in 2 reviews

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9 Trachelle Ln

Charleston, SC 29407

West Ashley

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About the Business

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Alphonso B.

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Gullah Tours explores the language, history, culture and traditions of the Of Afro Americans from slavery up to present time. …

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This tour is given by world renowned Alphonso Brown. Mr. Brown, who owns and conducts Gullah Tours, is a licensed tour guide for the city of Charleston. He is the author of A Gullah to Guide Charleston, a best-selling book from The History Press. He teaches classes on the Gullah language and Charleston's black history. If you believe Charleston's retreat to a good era. This does not have a tour for you. The true history and meaning of slavery is the Gullah culture, a relic that still exists in the city. For those who are interested in the remnants of the past; this is a trip for you. For those with an open mind and an interest in history, this is for you. And when you leave, you won't see Charleston in the same way. Brown is very fluent on his tour an didn't miss a beat. Funny, witty and full of all content knowledge. He is a walking history book of Charleston. My favorite part of the tour was visiting the Philip Simmons house, which remains to this day, and the workshop where all the magic happens. He had a good relationship with Mr. Simmons! Alfonso lets you hear and feel the passion of Charleston.

See all photos from Jerry D. for Gullah Tours

Not what I expected. My family and I took the tour. Before we left three people got on the small Bus with smelly food and eat it on the bus. I had a difficult time understanding the driver and missed most of what he was saying. I also thought when the tour stopped we would exit the bus for a better/closer view. I didn't enjoy the experience.

Alphonso and Gullah Tours is an exceptional experience! This 2 hour tour is worth every penny and then some! We learned so much about Charleston, Gullah (language) and even Historical details about past (slavery to civil war), how it influences the present and whats coming in the future. Alphonso seems to know everyone we drove by and knew everything about even real estate costs and city government. The best part was visiting Phillip Simmons home, and getting to meet his family and how they are continuing the legacy. (And if you don't know who that is...you will - Simmons spent 78 years as a blacksmith, focusing on decorative iron work.) Don't believe the hype of other tours, this is the only one you need. Cant wait to come back to Charleston to explore more with Gullah Tours. And Hope Alphonso adds other experiences and tour themes to the options, so we can keep learning from him. Alphonso said, " Don' git los' now!" (Come back soon) And We wont git los', we Will be back soon!

The absolute BEST Gullah Tour in Charleston! Mr. Brown was an excellent guide. His gullah accent is very heavy so you have to pay attention Would take it again for sure!

Loved this tour. I learned so much and the tour guide was hilarious. He taught us some Gullah and showed us parts of Charleston I know I wouldn't have seen on my own. Highly recommend!

If you do just one tour in Charleston this has to be the one. In all my travels this is by far the best tour we've ever experienced. it was 2 hours but time flew. We saw so much of Charleston and learned the historical significance of everything we saw. Mr. Brown is extremely knowledgeable and knows how to make history entertaining even when some parts of our history are hard to accept. Just exceptional!!

Mr. Brown was a joy. I learned a ton I didn't know, particularly about iron works in the city. I highly recommend.

The Gullah tour was the only organized tour we did while visiting Charleston. Easy to locate them near the visitor center. Mr Brown was waiting for us outside his mini bus. It was cool that he was fluent in speaking the Gullah language and familiar with the history of the land. His engaging personality really made the tour. He was in fact like living history. We drove past many great landmarks which helped us in getting the layout of the land. His tour was mainly focused on the black roots of Charleston. He would point out many houses or structures and give us background story on it. He ended the tour by going to Philip Simmons's (famous iron gate maker) humble house and seeing his museum. I do wish he spent more time talking about Gullah culture and the black experience living in Charleston. I felt the focus was a lot on the gates of each house, like an architectural tour where you go see the maker at the end.

I always research an area before I travel there. When I looked into Charleston, I saw a history of racism that wasn't being told. Most of the tours offered seemed "homogenized" to polish up the stories often omitting the truth. I wanted the real history of this town told honestly by someone who knows it dearly. Gullah Tours does that well! His stories are sometimes cheerful and sometimes bleak but always from the heart. He stops along the way to tell you intimate details of "accepted" truths and then he'd tell you the real story. He sprinkled in a little "Gullah" along the way and explained what each term meant-making it relatable. His tributes to Philip Simmons share a story of true artistry of an immensely talented artist and now national treasure. We walked through his workshop and saw where he forged masterpieces of ironworks seen all over Charleston. This city really should invest in saving and restoring his property because his legacy needs to be preserved and shared. Along the way, we saw the good, the bad and a lot of ugly often "scrubbed up" or omitted-but not on this tour. Thank you for sharing your history, your stories, your town and mostly yourself. It was a truly enjoyable and educational afternoon.

Great tour for locals and tourists. I took my family on this tour when visiting and they all loved it. For me it was insightful and I learned soooo much.

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The BEST of the BEST Gullah Tours - Gullah Tours

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• South Carolina (SC)    
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• Gullah Tours

The Gullah Tour was outstanding. Alphonso Brown, owner and tour guide, provided a very full... read more

What a great tour, a must do! Alphonso was very friendly, informative and provided lots of... read more

The BEST of the BEST Gullah Tours

I’ve done several Gullah tours in Savannah, Hilton Head area and Charleston. The Gullah tour hosted by Alfonso Brown was by far the best in many regards. Mr. Brown is a native who takes his heritage seriously and shares a view of the Times and lives of his people. Factual, informative and FUN all wrapped into one tour. History...yes...little known facts...yes...and an absolute bonus with a stop at Philip Simmons home and blacksmith shop. Anyone who has taken the time to become acquainted with the gates of Charleston will know the name of Philip Simmons...American artisan and blacksmith recognized by the Smithsonian and SC State Museum. Top notch tour at an incredibly good price point. Alfonso’s book is amazing. If you are seeking the “best” Gullah tour...look no further.

You’ll learn a lot, just finding out what “Gullah” means, and the life of the Gullah people and language! A lot of famous and infamous history is described, as well as how it was interwoven with all the long history of Charleston. The guide is incredibly good at what he does! A must do!

The guide/driver is the owner of this one-bus operation, really knows his stuff, really knows how to make a presentation, video slide show that he runs to back up the stops on the tour. Funny without being silly. Has one stop that is a must see that I doubt anyone else has - because of his personal relationship with the artist. By the way, he wrote a book, because the tour just isn't long enough to cover everything. This review is deliberately shorter than most of mine because I don't want to drop any spoilers. Just go and enjoy.

Gullah Tours was a great way to spend a few hours, seeing the city and getting a lot of history. Alphonso Brown provides history with humor and perspective. It was obvious that he takes great pride in his heritage and his community. Highly recommend Alphonso Brown and Gullah Tours!!

We have done many tours in Charleston. This was the best tour yet. The information he provides and passion he uses to tell the storys of Charleston and the South are wonderful. I am hearing impaired and some of the information is to fast for me to pick up . That was not a problem because there is so much to cover on the tour. I bought his book and would suggest that you do the same. It is mostly a written book of the tour. Thank you Mr Brown

We learned so much about contributions that African Americans made to Charleston. We had an amazing experience going to see the home of Philip Simmons, seeing his amazing ironwork on the tour and even testing out the blacksmith process. Charleston has a rich history and Mr. Brown does a great job of giving you insights. I only wish there were more about the Gullah culture Incorporated into the tour.

New tour: From Negroes back to Hebrews to Gullah & Geechee

Geechee Gullah Walking Tour

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 1 hour
• Users Ages: All ages

Walking tour through The Battery

The Battery is Charleston’s most beautiful historical city in the world. We walk and talk about this beautiful hidden history that began right where the cannons & cannon balls still stand today. These were the very first shots fired that sparked the beginning of that world famous Civil War. The movie Glory where the 54th Massachusetts regiment did the impossible feat of saving Fort Sumter which we can see from here.

On this tour we will see: Hanging trees Slave auction blocks Largest slave highway in the world Largest slave cemetery in the world Pineapple water fountain Barracoons Churches Underground dungeons & tunnels Statue of Lucifer/Lucy Key locations where spirits, ghosts & demons dwell

The Meeting location for this tour is the Charleston Battery in front of the confederate statue. The tour will end at the pineapple fountain on Waterfront park

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• Hour Glass 1 hour

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Gullah After Dark with Godfrey

Learn an often overlooked aspect of Charleston’s history and culture of the Gullah people on this driving night tour through the city!

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• 843-763-7551
• Schedule A Tour
• Gullah Language
• Gullah Words
• Hear and Read Gullah
• Did you know that…
• Catfish Row
• Black Slave Owners
• Denmark Vesey’s
• Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church
• Hexes, Fixes, Roots
• Jones Hotel
• Old Slave Mart
• Philip Simmons Blacksmith
• Slave Quarters
• Sweetgrass Market
• The Patty Wagan
• The Underground Railroad
• The Whipping House
• Reservations
• About Alphonso Brown
• Gullah Bookstore

The tours leave from the The tours leave from the Bus Shed at the Charleston Visitor’s Center at 375 Meeting Street (See map).

Tours can be arranged to suit the needs of your group and “step-on” tours are also available. Please feel free to call any time if you have questions.

Gullah story telling is available upon request. The true stories focus on the Gullah language, culture, and music. They are entertaining in nature, with bits of humor, yet remain sincere and accurate in their history and portrayal of the Gullah people. 

Monday – Friday 11:00 A.M. and 1:00 P.M. Saturdays 11:00 A.M., 1:00 P.M. 

Gullah Tours appreciates any feedback you may have concerning our web site and our tour. Please visit  Trip Advisor and write a review.

Click on Image above to review Alphonso Brown's Book

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Top 5 Plantation Tours In Charleston SC: A Guide To What To Expect

If you’re looking for the best Plantation Tours in Charleston SC, you’re in luck. I ‘ve visited Charleston SC many times and have toured every plantation in the Charleston area (and beyond).

Although there is plenty to do in Charleston itself, you should put a few of the surrounding plantation tours on your must-visit list. These plantations all offer something different, from immersive historical narratives to breathtaking garden landscapes.

Whether you’re a history buff, architecture enthusiast, or garden lover, this guide aims to steer you toward the most rewarding plantation experiences Charleston has to offer.

Past Lane Travels contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Read our disclaimer for more information.

My Top Picks: Plantation Tours In Charleston SC

#1 TOP PICK

BOONE HALL Beautiful Grounds

Preserved Slave Quarters

No Antebellum House

MIDDLETON PLACE Astounding Gardens

Home Of A Founder

Can Spend All Day

MAGNOLIA PLANTATION

One Of The Oldest

Garden & Swamp Tour

Incredible History/Wildlife

My Top 5 Charleston Plantation Tours and Gardens

These are my favorite Plantation Tours in Charleston SC, but not in any particular order. They are all worth seeing!

1. Middleton Place

4300 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC

Middleton Place Plantation is a historic plantation and garden located just outside Charleston, along the scenic Ashley River.

The primary attraction at Middleton Place is its meticulously landscaped gardens, which are considered some of the oldest — and most beautiful — in America. The gardens feature a wide flowering trees and plants, including camellias, azaleas, magnolias, and an impressive collection of antique roses.

Related Post: Enjoy “old house” tours? Check out the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park NY, a glamorous mansion from the Gilded Age.

Visitors can explore acres of picturesque ponds and camellia alleys while taking in the breathtaking views of the Ashley River.

In addition to the gardens, this Charleston Plantation tour also features guided tours of the historic house, which was once the home of Henry Middleton, a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence, and his descendants.

The house tour provides a glimpse into the lives of the Middleton family and their significant contributions to American history. Visitors can explore the period furnished rooms and learn about the plantation’s role in the history of South Carolina.

What I Like : You can definitely spend a few hours at Middleton Place walking the beautiful landscaped gardens. There is also a petting zoo, restaurant, and period craftsmen throughout the grounds.

Plan ahead and leave enough time, because this is one of the most expansive Charleston plantation tours.

Book a Middleton Place Tour

2. Boone Hall Plantation

1235 Long Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC

Boone Hall Plantation was the first Plantation tour in Charleston SC that I took, so it stands out to me as one of my favorites.

Located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, it is a historic gem that features a long oak-lined driveway that is breathtaking when the azaleas are in bloom.

With a history spanning more than three centuries, this plantation has witnessed dramatic changes, from its establishment in 1681 to its role in the antebellum era as a working plantation.

The mansion itself is not as spectacular as others on this list, but the grounds are impressive. Not built until 1936, the Boone Hall mansion serves as the backdrop for guided tours.

It’s the beautiful avenues of oak trees, draped with Spanish moss, that makes this one of my top plantation tours in Charleston SC.

Boone Hall Plantation also offers a variety of tours to cater to different interests. The “Black History in America” tour delves into the experiences of enslaved Africans and their descendants, shedding light on their resilience and contributions to American culture.

They also have a “Gullah Culture” tour that explores the unique Gullah Geechee heritage, a rich blend of African and Southern traditions that has shaped the Lowcountry for centuries.

Additionally, you can explore the meticulously landscaped gardens and original slave cabins.

What I Like : Boone Hall has some of the only original slave quarters still standing, which provides a better understanding of Plantation life. The grounds are also beautiful, especially in the spring.

Book A Boone Hall Plantation Tour

3. Drayton Hall

3380 Ashley River Road, Charleston, S.C.

Drayton Hall’s history dates back to 1738, when it was established by John Drayton. The plantation played a pivotal role in the development of South Carolina’s rice culture.

My favorite thing about Drayton Hall, is that , unlike many other historic sites, this Charleston plantation has been preserved without undergoing significant architectural alterations or reconstructions.

Guided tours take visitors through the stunning Georgian-Palladian mansion, showcasing its remarkable architecture and details that offer a glimpse into the lives of the Drayton family.

Beyond the Drayton Hall mansion, visitors can explore the beautiful gardens and grounds, which offer serene views of the Ashley River and provide insight into the horticultural practices of the era.

Drayton Hall is notable for being the oldest unrestored plantation in the United States that is open to the public. It is a National Historic Landmark that stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Southern plantation culture.

What I Like: There are some memorable stories surrounding Drayton Hall during the Civil War that I ended up using in my novel Shades of Gray . This makes my list of favorite plantation tours in Charleston SC because of its history and back story.

Book A Tour at Drayton Hall

4. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

3550 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC

I’m not sure I can describe Magnolia Plantation and Gardens . Founded in the late 17th century, it is one of the oldest and most renowned plantations in the American South.

Initially established by Thomas and Ann Drayton in 1676, it has been home to generations of the Drayton family and has played a significant role in the development of rice cultivation.

Treat yourself to a chauffeur, plus admission to Middleton Place and Magnolia Plantation, AND box lunch.

What sets Magnolia Plantation apart is its breathtaking gardens, which are among the oldest public gardens in America.

I was lucky enough to finally visit when everything was in bloom in March and it is stunning! The gardens are a blend of formal and informal designs, featuring a wide variety of plant species, including azaleas, camellias, magnolias, and countless other colorful flowers and trees.

Guided tours and educational programs provide insights into the plantation’s history. Visitors can explore why Magnolia has earned the title of “One of America’s Most Beautiful Gardens.

For an unforgettable plantation visit, check out the Kingsley Plantation in Jacksonville, Fla , where an African queen became a plantation owner.

What I Like : I never realized how lovely a swamp could be until I visited Magnolia Plantation. This tour of the grounds includes arched bridges in a wonderland of flowering plants. The beauty is breathtaking, and it’s why Magnolia Gardens is on my list of best plantation tours in Charleston SC.

Book a Tour at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

Don’t want to drive? You can book a tour to Magnolia Plantation with transportation from Charleston.

5. McLeod Plantation Historic Site

325 Country Club Drive, Charleston, SC

This 37-acre plantation on James Island dates back to 1851. It’s now a Gullah/Geechee heritage site that offers an honest look at what life was like for the enslaved and emancipated African Americans who worked there.

Besides the Georgian-style plantation home, the site also includes slave quarters, a cotton gin house, and a Gullah cemetery.

It’s a great opportunity to tour a mansion house and visit the slaves quarters as well. Every tour guide emphasizes a different aspect of life on the plantation.

What I like : All of the plantations explain the contrast between slave owners and slaves, but McLeod Plantation really dives into the complex relationships between the two groups.

I also loved the ancient live oaks at McLeod, especially those near the slave quarters. It’s amazing to think about what those trees witnessed.

Book a tour at McLeod Plantation

Other Charleston Plantation Tours and Activities

Charleston tea garden.

This offers a fun and educational experience like no other. Witness the process of growing and making tea while enjoying a free factory tour, exploring a unique gift shop, taking in scenic views, and sipping all the tea you desire!

Charles Pinckney National Historic Site

Explore the preserved estate, once owned by a Founding Father and now under the care of the National Park Service. You can wander the grounds, visit the historic cottage, explore exhibits, watch a film, shop at the museum store, and attend various programs—all for free!

Charleston Horticultural Society

They offer a variety of programs, including signature lecture series, seasonal workshops, and exclusive garden tours, all aimed at celebrating the heritage of horticulture in the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Cypress Gardens

Visitors can enjoy wandering along miles of garden trails, paddling through cypress swamps, relaxing in a greenhouse adorned with butterflies and flowers, and discovering exhibits featuring native and exotic reptiles alongside a freshwater aquarium.

Other Charleston Tour Packages

Charleston architecture and history tour.

There’s probably no other city as beautiful and historic as Charleston, in the U.S. Experience the best of Charleston on a history and architecture walking tour.

Old South Carriage Historic Horse and Carriage Tour

You can’t really see Charleston correctly without going on a historic carriage tour.

Experience more than 300 years of history on this guided carriage tour of Charleston. See the many mansions, churches, and gardens as your horse-drawn carriage tour covers more than 2.5 miles and 30 blocks of historic Charleston.

Other Tours In Charleston SC

Charleston city sightseeing bus tour, uss yorktown ghost tour.

Experience a special behind-the-scenes tour of the aircraft carrier Yorktown, granting exclusive access to parts of the ship typically off-limits to the public. The price of this tour includes admission.

Charleston Ghost and Dungeon Walking Tour

Explore the darker side of Charleston and experience some of the city’s most eerie sites with a 90-Minute Ghost & Dungeon Nighttime Walking Tour with Entry to Provost Dungeon! Wind through the Historic District’s dark corridors and graveyards, and hear spooky tales of ghosts, voodoo, local superstition and famous haunted spaces from your local guide.

Plus, many more highly-rated walking tours !

Two other plantations that I love in South Carolina are Hopsewee , also home to a Declaration of Indpendence signer, and Hampton Plantation , where George Washington visited.

I also recommend Oak Alley and Nottoway in Louisiana.

You’ll Love Plantation Tours in Charleston SC

As you can see, all of the plantation tours in Charleston SC have their own particular historical significance and charm.

Charleston’s plantations stand as living testaments to the city’s storied past, offering visitors a chance to connect with history, nature, and culture all in one place.

Whether you’re drawn to the stunning landscaped gardens, the centuries-old architecture, or the stories of those who once lived on these grounds, Charleston’s plantations provide a window into the past.

If you like plantation tours, there are some great ones in Louisiana, including Laura Plantation and the Houmas House . One of my favorites though is Nottoway , also called the White Castle.

Where To Stay In Charleston

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Charleston City Paper

Change-makers and ceiling-breakers: Charleston women who made history

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In celebration of women’s history month, we’re highlighting some of the many women in Charleston’s history who made the Holy City better. From civil rights pioneers to suffragettes to artists, these women paved the way for others in Charleston and are recognized for their legacies locally, nationally and across the globe.

Jennet Robinson Alterman, a Charleston native who has been involved in women’s rights advocacy across the state for the last three decades, said women leading the charge for change has been a pattern in our city’s history.

“There are so many women in our past and present that have taken on the tough issues in our community. Women have been and are the truth tellers, truth seekers and truth advocates.”

A revolutionary educator and civil rights icon

A pioneer in grassroots citizenship education, Septima Poinsette Clark was called the ‘‘mother of the Civil Rights Movement’’ by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Clark was born in Charleston in 1898, the daughter of a laundry woman and a former slave. She became a teacher on Johns Island and leader of workshops at Highlander Folk School in Tennessee. In the Jim Crow South, she was a key founder of “citizenship schools,” which educated and enfranchised Black voters.

Clark was known for her belief in developing local community leaders — women leaders, like Bernice Robinson, a beautician-turned-citizenship school teacher, and Rosa Parks, who attended one of Clark’s seminars just months before the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955.

College of Charleston professor Valerie Frazier, who was involved in creating the college’s February 2023 exhibition and mural on Clark’s life, said Clark is remembered for her “indomitable strength and determination to champion causes such as voting rights, literacy and educational opportunity, equal pay and accessible health care.

“In large part due to her work with the Highlander Folk School, nearly 2 million more Black voters were registered by 1970 than had been registered in 1955. Education was key. In her own words: ‘Literacy means liberation.’ ”

Charleston’s suffragettes

The three Pollitzer sisters are responsible for making education more accessible to women in Charleston: The oldest sister Carrie Pollitzer established the city’s first free kindergarten program and worked for admittance of women to the College of Charleston, which was granted in September 1918. Middle sister Mabel taught for more than 40 years at Memminger High School, where she began the school’s first sex education programs. She also helped to establish the first public library. Youngest sister Anita Pollitzer, a radical feminist of her day, was the most directly engaged of the three with national efforts to gain the vote for women — she played a pivotal role in the passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment, which allowed women to vote. Find a marker of their legacy at the sisters’ house, 5 Pitt St. For more suffrage history in Charleston, learn about the Grimke Sisters, two early and prominent activists for abolition and women’s rights.

From left to right: Anita, Carrie and Mabel Pollitzer | Photos courtesy College of Charleston Special Collections

Strike leader for better pay

In March 1969, Medical College Hospital (now MUSC) workers began a 113-day strike to demand better pay and an end to racial discrimination in the hospital. Mary Moultrie was a Charleston native and Burke High School graduate who, while working as a nurse at MUSC, was among the first employees to speak out against the unfair treatment of Black workers at the hospital. Her organizing efforts were key to the formation of a hospital employee union. Historian Kerry Taylor said it is fundamental to understand that Moultrie’s legacy was her ability to bring people together and give voice to a collective struggle.

“She would use her friendships in the hospital, going from floor to floor, talking to them, listening to the issues that they were facing on the job. Her very real strength was in developing these relationships. She was the convener, a kind of moral force in the room,” Taylor said.

While directing the St. Julian Devine Center, Moultrie also helped to organize Charleston sanitation workers for better wages and conditions in 2008.

“She never gave up on the idea of organizing and was doing that until the day she died,” Taylor said.

Charleston’s longtime preservationist

Charleston is known for its distinct character in no small part due to our preservation of historical sites and buildings. That’s why the legacy of Susan Pringle Frost is so important.

Frost was born to a prominent Charleston family in 1873 and was among the early proponents of historic preservation in Charleston, founding the Society for the Preservation of Old Dwellings (now called the Preservation Society of Charleston [PSC]) in April 1920. Frost called the first meeting of the preservation society to develop a solution to save the then-threatened Joseph Manigault House as well as long-term strategies to protect Charleston’s historic architecture.

Frost’s advocacy helped lead Charleston to adopt the nation’s first historic zoning ordinance in 1931. In addition to her advocacy, Frost also worked as the city’s first female real estate agent by buying, holding, rehabilitating and reselling historic properties to like-minded buyers. Fun fact: Frost is who decided to paint the properties along East Bay, now known as “Rainbow Row,” in their iconic pastel colors.

Courtney Theis, the PSC’s director of advance, said Frost was also a radical pioneer of the women’s suffrage movement.

“She was also the first woman to drive a car in downtown Charleston and the first to occupy her own real estate office on Broad Street,” she said. “Frost’s activism reminds us that preservation and progress go hand in hand.”

Female artists elevated Lowcountry culture

You’ve likely heard of the Charleston Renaissance, a period between the First and Second World Wars in which the city experienced a boom in the arts, helping to spur the tourist industry. But did you know three of its four leading figures are women?

Left to right: Alice Ravenel Huger Smith and Anna Heyward Taylor | Photos courtesy Middleton Place/South Carolina Library, USC

Artists Elizabeth O’Neill Verner, Anna Heyward Taylor and Alice Ravenel Huger Smith made stunning works that elevated Charleston’s art scene and brought visitors. And in fact, those artists were following in the footsteps of Charlestionian Henrietta Johnston, widely considered the first professional woman artist in the United States. Director of curatorial affairs at the Gibbes, Sara Arnold, said Johnston “set a precedent” for women artists to come.

“Because her exceptional talents were recognized during her lifetime, Johnston were able to help support her family through commissioned portraits. Her contributions to her family’s income are well documented. The discovery of Johnston’s trailblazing story no doubt influenced generations of women artists — art could be a vocation for a woman, she could expect to be paid for her artwork.”

LEADING LADIES: Some of Charleston’s current movers and shakers

The trailblazers from the past set the stage for a plethora of vibrant, active women leaders throughout business, arts and education in today’s Charleston area. Consider these important leaders who are making a difference today (in alphabetical order):

Helen Hill is the CEO of Explore Charleston and chairman of the Charleston County Aviation Authority.

Artist Mary Jackson , a descendant of generations of Gullah basket weavers, received the MacArthur Fellowship in 2008 for “pushing the tradition in stunning new directions.”

Faith Rivers James is the executive director at the Coastal Conservation League.

Germaine Jenkins is a co-founder and the Chief Farm Officer at Fresh Future Farm.

Philanthropist Linda Ketner , co-founder of the LGBTQ advocacy group Alliance for Full Acceptance.

Dr. Kameelah Martin is the dean of graduate studies at the College of Charleston.

Dr. Tonya Matthews is the president and CEO of the International African American Museum.

Darla Moore is a noted philanthropist who is a driver behind the Charleston Parks Conservancy.

S.C. Sen. Sandy Senn is recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for her leadership to protect women’s health choices.

Anita Zucker is a well-known philanthropist and leader who backs major civic projects.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Which female leaders should we talk about next time? Email [email protected] .

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