Thurmond's Son Acknowledges Woman's Claim

Yahoo! News ^ | December 16, 2003 | AMY GEIER EDGAR

[El Conservador]

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The oldest son of the late U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond says he is ready to meet the mixed-race half sister whose relationship to the family his father, a onetime segregationist, had kept secret for nearly eight decades.

Strom Thurmond Jr., the U.S. attorney for South Carolina, says his family will not contest the claim of Essie Mae Washington-Williams, a 78-year-old retired teacher living in Los Angeles.

Williams says Thurmond fathered her when he was 22 and living in his parents' home in Edgefield. Her mother, Carrie Butler, 16 at the time, worked as a maid in the Thurmonds' home.

"We have no reason to believe Ms. Williams was not telling the truth," Strom Thurmond Jr. told The (Columbia) State for a story in Tuesday's editions. "Everyone has a right to know their heritage."

Thurmond Jr. said he was looking forward to meeting the retired schoolteacher and establishing a relationship, but plans to do that in private.

"As far as emotions or how I feel, I feel good, because that's a feeling you get from doing the right thing," Thurmond Jr. said.

Williams had long been rumored to be Thurmond's child, though she previously denied it. She has come forward now at the urging of her children, said Frank K. Wheaton, Williams' attorney in California.

"She waited until after his passing because she had such a profound love and respect for her father and so did he for her ... they both shared a mutual respect that raised the bar of integrity, as we generally know it," Wheaton said Tuesday on ABC's "Good Morning America."

He said Williams was not seeking money and did not want to challenge Thurmond's will. Thurmond died in June at age 100.

"This case was never about money, much to the surprise of many. Essie Mae Washington-Williams merely wanted validation, acknowledgment, so that she could bring finality and closure to her life. She wanted this for her children and their children and their children," Wheaton said.

The family doesn't know much about Williams, Thurmond Jr. said.

"I had a conversation with my dad about it about 10 years ago. I asked about this, and he didn't tell me whether she was or whether she wasn't (his daughter)," he said. "I did not ask again."

Thurmond Jr. and other family members didn't return several phone calls from The Associated Press on Monday.

Earlier Monday, Thurmond's family released a statement acknowledging Williams' claims.

"As J. Strom Thurmond has passed away and cannot speak for himself, the Thurmond family acknowledges Ms. Essie Mae Washington-Williams' claim to her heritage. We hope this acknowledgment will bring closure for Ms. Williams," the family's lawyer, J. Mark Taylor, said.

Williams said Thurmond privately acknowledged her as his daughter and had provided financial support since 1941. She said she waited to go public because she didn't want to embarrass herself or hurt Thurmond's career. The Washington Post first reported her claims Saturday.

"There was an agreement between the parties that she would never discuss the fact that Senator Thurmond was her father," said her South Carolina lawyer, Glenn Walters.

In seven decades of politics, Thurmond gained fame and infamy as an arch-segregationist, but he later came to support a holiday for slain civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King.

Raised by an aunt, Williams told the Post she first met Thurmond around 1941, when she was 16, and Thurmond called her a "very lovely daughter."

She told the newspaper she received money at least once a year in sessions arranged by Thurmond's Senate staff. Wheaton said the total over the years was "very substantial" but less than $1 million.

Williams was to discuss her story at a news conference Wednesday in Columbia, but one of her sons, Dr. Ronald Williams of Onalaska, Wash., told The State he will tell her it would be better to meet privately with the Thurmond family than talk to the media.

[El Conservador]

Why do the media keep on going on with this???

This is a private matter within Thurmond's family...

[Peter Porcupine]

This is a private matter within Thurmond's family...

Take it up with Essie Mae. She's the one who decided to go public with this.

[Servant of the 9]

Why do the media keep on going on with this???
This is a private matter within Thurmond's family...

Because they are liberal, they are racists at heart.
They believe that having a mixed race love child is much worse than a white one.

So9

[tbird5]

"Why do the media keep on going on with this???
This is a private matter within Thurmond's family.."

Because he lied over and over again about it!

[Luke Skyfreeper]

He was a public figure. Besides, it's an interesting story.

[ThirstyMan]

So far the discourse has been handled in an extremely civil manner, by both parties. As for why the media keep poking its nose into this matter? Because it is of public interest and I for one, found the story quite touching.

[cyborg]

The lady is being way more respectful and full of tact than she has to be, considering she got sloppy seconds of love and attention. Perhaps that is why, the Thurmond family wants to meet her, because she's been quiet about it and because she hasn't enlisted the civil rights nazis help.

[Ragirl]

"Why do the media keep on going on with this??? "

Would you feel the same way if this were about Bill Clinton's "secret" child? He was famous and controversial, so this is an interesting story.

[Ragirl]

I forgot to include touching as well. IT's a great story.

[ColdSteelTalon]

Thurmond fathered her when he was 22 and living in his parents' home in Edgefield. Her mother, Carrie Butler, 16 at the time, worked as a maid in the Thurmonds' home

Did anyone notice that he had sex with an underaged girl!

[Saundra Duffy]

Well, I think she and her children should share in his estate. This is an outrage - that she was denied by her father for all these years - BECAUSE SHE'S BLACK!! He was ashamed to admit that he was her father and he was afraid it would hurt his political career. This is sickening! Her whole family is better than the Thurmond family. Far better! I am thoroughly insulted by Thurmond and his whole sick family. And now they want to meet her? Why? So they can get her to sign a paper saying she wants nothing, no doubt. Good Heavens!

[cyborg]

Yup sure, but considering the time no one would have been outraged at a white man doing such a thing unfortunately.

[cyborg]

Besides Strom seemed to like the young ladies no matter the color. Wasn't his wife significantly younger than he?

[cyborg]

Actually according to what I read, they want to meet her because she's been so quiet about it. She has said she doesnt want money but her brother wants to meet her personally.

[SouthernFreebird]

Shoot down here she was almost past marrying age...lol

[SouthernFreebird]

I have to agree with you that she should be included in his estate along with her children/his grandchildren.

[ChemistCat]

It's really never been that unusual for 22 year old boys to be interested in 16 year old girls.

I'm pleased that everyone is being a grownup about it. It could be a horror but they're all being decent.

Wish others would follow this example when there's something inconvenient happening.

Please note: the Thurmond family could have made sure this unplanned baby was never born--they had the power and money. Instead they took care of things financially and quietly.

[cyborg]

I agree with you. This could have turned out really awful. Hey that's how Eartha Kitt came to be, except her parents tried to live together but the boy's family said GET RID OF HER OR DIE. I am happy that this situation turned out as well as it did.

[blau993]

This happened 80 years ago in South Carolina. I would be surprised if she was underage as the law then existed.

[WaterDragon]

She sounds like a classy lady....the Thurmonds will be getting the best of the deal welcoming her into the family publicly.