Order of the Palmetto
The Order of the Palmetto is the highest civilian honor awarded by the governor of South Carolina.<ref name=GovAwards>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is awarded to South Carolinians who demonstrate extraordinary lifetime achievement, service and contributions of national or statewide significance.<ref name=SCIWAY-Palmetto>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
History
Governor John West created the Order of the Palmetto in 1971 to recognize lifetime achievement and service by South Carolina residents and those born in the state.<ref name=SCArchive>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is thought to be modeled on similar honors bestowed in other states, such as the Kentucky Colonel.<ref name=SC-encyclopedia>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Over the years, the honor program has been modified. In 1997, Governor David Beasley established the Order of the Silver Crescent as a companion award to the Order of the Palmetto to recognize contributions by persons younger than 18.<ref name=SC-encyclopedia/> In 1999, Governor Jim Hodges created a non-partisan screening panel to review nominations. The eligibility criteria for the Order of the Silver Crescent was changed to make it an auxiliary award honoring achievement or service at the local level, without restrictions of age.<ref name=SCArchive/> In 2003, Governor Mark Sanford created a panel to establish firm criteria for award eligibility, with the goal of changing the perception that the order was a political send-off.Template:Citation needed
As of 2004, over 3,500 people have been honored with the Order of the Palmetto.<ref name=SC-encyclopedia/> Awardees include the rock band Hootie and the Blowfish, which Governor Jim Hodges recognized in 1999 for its charity efforts. Governors Henry McMaster and Nikki Haley received the award prior to their assuming office.<ref name=SCArchive/> Mary Simms Oliphant, honored in 1982, was the first woman to receive the award.<ref name=SCwomen>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Other notable recipients include novelist Pat Conroy, civil rights activist Septima Poinsette Clark, football coach Lou Holtz, naturalist Rudy Mancke, and musician James Brown.<ref name=bluffton>Template:Cite news</ref>
Award
The award comes in the form of a certificate or plaque that, in part, reads:
In grateful recognition of your contributions and friendship to the State of South Carolina and her people, I do hereby confer unto you the Order of the Palmetto with all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto.
See also
- Goodwill Ambassador
- Arkansas Traveler
- Colonel (U.S. honorary title)
- Nebraska Admiral
- Order of the Long Leaf Pine (of North Carolina)
- Kentucky Colonel
- Rhode Island Commodore
- Sagamore of the Wabash (of Indiana)
- Great Floridians
- Susan Audé