Jane Emerson Obituary

Jane George Dreher Emerson COLUMBIA, SC - Jane Emerson, a fierce and fearless advocate for women's rights, whose passion for justice and access to reproductive healthcare left an indelible mark on the state of South Carolina, died in Columbia on February 16. She suffered a massive intracranial hemorrhage and died peacefully at Prisma Richland Memorial Hospital. A celebration of life will be held this spring. She was 72. Jane George Dreher Emerson was a fifth generation native of Columbia, a city she loved. She was the daughter of Jennie Taber Clarkson Dreher Evins Hazelhurst and James Franklin Dreher. Jane graduated from Ashley Hall in Charleston, SC in 1970. There, she made friends who remained close for all the years ahead. Jane went on to earn Bachelor of Arts and Master of Social Work degrees from the University of South Carolina. She started her career of service as a caseworker for the Georgetown County, SC, Department of Social Services. Her experience in that role cemented an empathy for the less fortunate. In the mid-1980's, Jane was an associate with a Washington, D.C.-based political consulting firm, Bass and Howes, Inc. After her return to Columbia, Jane devoted herself to a career defined by a commitment to protecting and advancing the rights of women. A natural leader, she served as Executive Director/CEO of Planned Parenthood of South Carolina, Director of Southern Women's Services, and Director of the Rape Crisis Network, all in Columbia. Jane was a force in Democratic party politics, as a fundraiser and a volunteer and paid staffer on innumerable campaigns, including her work as SC Director of Women's Outreach for Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign. Jane was a founder of the I Believe Anita Hill Party, a reaction to Hill's sexist treatment when she testified at the Senate confirmation hearing of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in 1991. In more recent years, Jane served on the Richland County Election Commission, during a very turbulent time. Jane was a part of many organizations that were close to her heart. Active and past memberships included The Thursday Study Club, Pine Tree Hunt Club, The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of South Carolina, and The Palmetto Garden Club. Jane had a rich, colorful life. Starting in her childhood and throughout her life, she made pilgrimages to Broadway, taking in as many shows as she could, punctuated only by beautiful meals. She also loved acting and appeared in local productions of Crimes of the Heart and Fool For Love, among others. She loved her neighborhood of Wales Garden, the beaches of Pawleys Island, gardening and the Sunday New York Times. Jane loved her friends and they trusted her for the authentic person she was. There was no one more fun, or funnier, than Jane. She made going to the grocery store an event. Where she was, you wanted to be. She had a legion of friends, and their lives are substantially diminished by her absence. Jane is survived by her beloved son, Caleb Jones Emerson (Caroline) of Hanahan, SC and her former husband, John Finley Emerson of Charleston SC. She is also survived by her sister, Ann Crawford Dreher, (Rusty) of Columbia, SC, her niece, Frances Knowlton Hungerford (Paul) of Iowa City, IA, and nephew, James Moncrief Brailsford lV of Minneapolis, MN. She was predeceased by her niece, Louisa Taber Brailsford. She is also survived by her first cousins, the large family of Clarkson brothers and sisters and their children, including her goddaughter, Margo Rosa Herre. Jane's family would like to thank the physicians and nurses of the Neuro Intensive Care Unit at Prisma Richland Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care. Memorials may be sent to Ashley Hall, 172 Rutledge St, Charleston, SC 29403, or to the Central Carolina Community Foundation for the Zack and Rachel Clarkson scholarship fund, 2142 Boyce Street, Suite 402, Columbia SC 29201. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.