National Spokesperson: 

Essie Mae Washington Williams

Essie Mae Washington Williams is a retired teacher, announced in December that she's the daughter of the late Strom Thurmond, former staunch segregationist.  Sen. Thurmond's family confirmed that the late senator from South Carolina fathered the child with Carrie Butler, his family's black housekeeper.

Although Ms. Washington-Williams visited Sen. Thurmond's office over the years, she refused to reveal their relationship until after his death, in deference to his family.  Sen. Thurmond was the longest-serving U.S. senator in history, holding the office from 1954 to 2003.  He died in June 2003.

Sen. Thurmond was a cosponsor of The Patriots Memorial authorizing legislation. 

“To be truly fulfilled, I feel that my story must stand as a bridge between blacks and whites and serve as a catalyst for continuing Mrs. Lena Santos Ferguson’s mission to make black women feel whole by embracing the totality of their family history and genetic material.”

-- Essie Mae Washington Williams