Kim Woods honored by General Assembly as first female African American publisher in South Carolina
Editor’s Note (11/29/21): The S.C. Press Association is so sad to hear that Kim Young Woods passed away on Nov. 27, 2021. Kim was an active SCPA member for many years. Here is a link to her obituary. We will share more details as they are announced.
In early 2021, the South Carolina Press Association recognized Woods for her service to the Palmetto State’s newspaper industry. In addition to serving on SCPA’s Executive Committee, which is the guiding force behind our efforts, SCPA staff researched S.C. newspaper history and determined that while serving as publisher of the Yorkville Enquirer and The Clover Herald, Woods made history as the first female African-American newspaper publisher in SCPA’s nearly 170-year-old history. Woods served on SCPA’s Executive Committee as a weekly newspaper representative from 2003-2005, while working at the Yorkville Enquirer and The Clover Herald. She also served on our Executive Committee as a daily newspaper representative from 2009-2012 while working as VP of Advertising and Marketing at The Herald in Rock Hill.
After leaving S.C. newspapers, Woods went on to serve as an advertising director at newspapers in Florida and Kentucky.
Woods received her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications in Journalism and her Masters of Education in Counseling and Development from Winthrop University. Last month, she was named the 2021 Distinguished Alumni for Winthrop’s Mass Communication week during their 75th anniversary. Woods served as the keynote speaker for the celebration.
Rep. Kambrell H. Garvin introduced the following House resolution, which was adopted on April 6, 2021:
South Carolina General Assembly
124th Session, 2021-2022
Bill 4113
A HOUSE RESOLUTION
TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE KIM YOUNG WOODS ON HER RECENT RECOGNITION BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA PRESS ASSOCIATION AS THE FIRST FEMALE AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER IN ITS HISTORY.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that Kim Young Woods recently was recognized by the South Carolina Press Association (SCPA) as the first female African American newspaper publisher in SCPA’s nearly 170-year history; and
Whereas, Ms. Woods, a native of South Carolina, served in the early years of the new century as publisher of the Yorkville Enquirer and The Clover Herald and as vice president of sales and digital for The Herald in Rock Hill; and
Whereas, while serving as publisher of the Yorkville Inquirer and The Clover Herald, she also served as SCPA weekly newspaper Executive Committee member (2003-2005); while serving with The Herald in Rock Hill, she also served as daily newspaper Executive Committee member (2009-2012); and
Whereas, moreover, her history-making service in South Carolina newspaper journalism is to be included in future editions of Palmetto Press: The History of South Carolina’s Newspapers and Press Association by Pat McNeely and Michael S. Smith; and
Whereas, in preparation for her career, Ms. Woods earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communications at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, followed by a Master of Education in counseling and development at the same institution. She is also a graduate of the Advanced Executive Management Program at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois; and
Whereas, since her years in South Carolina, she has served in various other states as vice president of sales and digital, West regional digital sales director, and associate director of recruitment and partnership services, the latter being her current position. In this present post, she works for Pearson in Chandler, Arizona. Her areas of expertise are sales and marketing campaigns, performance reporting, stakeholder relations, client relations, risk management, executive influence, sales strategy, and P&L; and
Whereas, the House takes great pleasure in saluting Kim Young Woods for her recent recognition by the SCPA, a worthy honor in an impressive career in the field of journalism. The members, grateful for her contributions to South Carolina’s newspaper industry, extend best wishes for much continued success in all her future endeavors. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor and congratulate Kim Young Woods on her recent recognition by the South Carolina Press Association as the first female African American newspaper publisher in its history.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Kim Young Woods.