Community celebrates Susie King Taylor’s 178th birthday

LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - The Susie King Taylor Women’s Institute and Liberty County celebrated the 178th birthday of the native daughter and “Heroine of Freedom.”

Taylor was a pioneering African American nurse, educator, and memoirist, and the first Black Army nurse during the Civil War.

As a teenager, she also helped lead members of her family to freedom.

Organizers wrote, “On August 6, 1848, Taylor was born and raised on the island, attended secret schools in Savannah, escaped from slavery on the island in 1862, and returned after the Civil War to open Liberty County’s first school for African Americans (Gullah Geechee people) in 1866. Later, in 1902 in Boston, Massachusetts, she published her memoir, ‘Reminiscences of My Life in Camp.’”

Organizers say this year’s event is especially significant following the April 13th ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Susie King Taylor Freedom Park at Jones Creek.

It features a covered pavilion, playground, picnic tables, benches, and a walking trail right now.

Rosby Fraiser said, “If she was here and able to see this today, I think she would be in tears. Tears of overjoy, tears of appreciation, tears of being recognized for hard work that she has done and what she also helped to accomplish for others.”

The “Happy Birthday Susie” celebration included birthday cake, decorations, music, games, and party favors.

It was made possible by support from Liberty County, Liberty County Historical Society, Liberty County Recreation Department, Liberty County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Keep Liberty Beautiful, Sober Strong for Life, Sankofa African American Heritage Trail of East Liberty County, and Rosby Fraiser and Joe Ford.