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South Carolina House of Representatives expresses sorrow over the passing of Vivian Ayers Allen and extends sympathy to her family and friends.

The South Carolina House of Representatives honors the life of Chester native Vivian Ayers Allen, a celebrated poet, cultural activist, playwright, museum curator, and classicist. Allen, who passed away at age 102, began her literary career in 1952 with the publication of Spice of Dawns, a collection of poems nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Her poem Hawk, published in 1957, was praised by NASA. Allen served as the founding director of the Brainerd Institute Heritage in Chester and was a mother to four accomplished children.