Strom Thurmond's mixed-race daughter's passing

By Armstrong Williams - 02/07/13 02:32 AM ET

People die, but the truth lives and breathes freely on its own.

We now mourn the passing of 87-year-old Essie Mae Washington-Williams, who in December 2003 confirmed one of the oldest rumors of Southern political folklore: that she was the mixed-race daughter of former Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.).

Now that Mrs. Williams has passed on, there will be a few days of dissecting their relationship again and reminding the public that the senator was ashamed of his daughter. But this was not the case.

In a conversation I had with Mrs. Williams years ago, she told me how they finally bonded before his death in 2003. Mrs. Williams’s passing is more about her legacy with her children, grandchildren and her larger community than about her being the mixed-race child of legendary South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond. While the media continue making the connection between the two, let us also resolve to tell the public about her life beyond her famous father: Essie Mae Williams was a well-educated leader, organizer, philanthropist, strategist and servant of God her entire life.

Many of us were aware of her struggles with illness for a long time. Finally, she has found peace, and her legacy will endure will her family and the many lives she touched along the way.

Williams did not make any financial claims on the Thurmond estate. "We are not looking for money. We are merely seeking closure by way of the truth for Essie Mae Washington-Williams," said her attorney Frank Wheaton to The Washington Post.

After nearly eight decades of subverting certain basic and essential facts about her identity, it seems that Williams at the time wished only to be honest with herself — and with society, for that matter— about who she was.

State Sen. Paul Thurmond (R-S.C.), Essie Mae's younger brother, yesterday requested that on the next available date, the South Carolina Senate adjourn in memory of his sister. His request passed unanimously. His gesture further confirms the healing of all wounds and acceptance of Essie Mae and her children as the continuing legacy of former Sen. James Strom Thurmond.

— Updated at 10:12 a.m.