About Us
Our Story
The Sunlight Club was formed in 1910 as the first African-American women's organization in the community dedicated to performing charitable acts for fellow citizens. The late Marion Birnie Wilkinson, wife of former South Carolina State University president Robert Shaw Wilkinson, was founder and president of the club, which has maintained a faithful commitment to its theme, "Lifting As We Climb." The Sunlight Club has built its legacy on the three tenants of service - time, talent, and treasure.
Charter Members
Our organization was formed with the objective of furthering the cultural aspirations of women, answering the needs and deprivations of the poor and neglected, and aiding in all worthy city projects.
Our Vision
We envision a community where all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or age, have the opportunity to thrive. We believe that everyone deserves to live in a safe and just environment where they have access to the resources they need to reach their full potential.
Our Mission
Our mission is to improve the lives of people in our community by providing programming, resources, and support. We focus on empowering Black and African-descended communities, youth, and women, while remaining dedicated to serving all individuals in need. We are committed to building relationships, promoting equality, and protecting the rights of all people.
Affiliations and Memberships
Our Work
We translate our Vision and Mission into tangible results by activating our legacy of Time, Talent, and Treasure.
Time: Presence & Advocacy
We dedicate time to the front-line work of community building, creating opportunities for growth and to help raise standards and quality of life.
- Relationship Building: Investing the time necessary to foster trust and ensure equality, the protection of rights, and justice for all people.
- Organizational Solidarity: Actively supporting the mission and initiatives of our national, regional, and State organizations to amplify our collective impact.
Talent: Programming & Awareness
We leverage our professional expertise and lived experiences to develop initiatives that drive social change and community empowerment.
- Education & Awareness: Using our talents to provide the education and essential awareness that empowers our community.
- Strategic Impact: Applying our skills to design and implement programs that help individuals in need reach their full potential.
Treasure: Resource Mobilization
We manage and distribute the vital resources necessary to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity.
- Direct Support: Providing essential funding, materials, and programming to those in need within our community.
- Sustainable Investment: Ensuring that resources are strategically directed to foster long-term stability and community health.
Highlights from Over the Years
Founded: 1910 by Marian Birnie Wilkinson
Nonprofit incorporation: 1939
The Sunlight Club is a member of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, Inc. and the South Carolina Federation of Women's and Youth Clubs, Inc.
- ✦First library in the area for Blacks in the community to use (1945)
- ✦Established the first Girl Scout troop for African-American girls in Orangeburg (circa 1951)
- ✦Formed the Helen Sheffield Girls' Club (9th–12th grade) (formed 1963)
- ✦Purchased of the Sunlight Club Community Center
- ✦Annual Memorial Tea
- ✦After school programs
- ✦Summer camps
- ✦Harvest Festival
- ✦Works Progress Administration School for Adults
- ✦Support for the Marion B. Wilkinson Home for orphanage in Cayce, SC
- ✦Nursery school
- ✦United Way Agency serving Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties
- ✦First sponsor in Orangeburg of Project Head Start
- ✦Provided services for tuberculosis patients. Maintained and equipped camp.
- ✦Matched employment opportunities.
- ✦Sponsored the only City playground for "Coloreds".
- ✦Provided the annual "Community Christmas Tree for Children" Fed and clothed those in need.
- ✦Annual Book program "Book Power"
- ✦Annual plays as fundraisers.
Past Presidents
- Lillian Youngblood*
- Daisy Williams*
- Marion B. Wilkinson*
- Daisy Taylor*
- Claudine Ross*
- Anna Hunter*
- Geraldine Zimmerman*
- Cathy Gordon*
- Ursula Bowman
- Mary Cramer
- Margaret Roberts
- Evelyn M. Disher, current President
* Deceased
"The club is about service, ..."
"Mrs. Wilkinson wanted a club in every city of South Carolina. It was to uplift people because, like it is now, people need help. She brought people together, organized them and began her program."
"Back when the club was organized, there was not a community service club for Blacks to help Blacks; so it was the first club in Orangeburg that African-Americans organized to help African-Americans...."
Geraldyne Zimmerman
(1911 - 2011)
"Lifting as we climb, we bring the whole community with us."