Mrs. Brenda C. Murphy was born in Ridgeway, South Carolina and currently resides in Columbia, South Carolina. She is the daughter of the late James and Julia Smith. She is the oldest of eight children. She is an individual with a passion to provide service to others and chose to do so professionally and as an advocate for justice for all people. She has enjoyed a successful Nursing career which spans greater than 40-years. She received a Bachelor of Science and master’s degree in nursing from the University of South Carolina, Columbia Campus.

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Her professional experiences are varied, Highlights include Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, Nurse Therapist for children, adolescents and families and Adjunct Faculty appointments at SC State University, University of South Carolina, the Medical University of South Carolina, and South University. Mentoring and teaching student nurses of the importance of being culturally competent and compassionate was always a priority throughout her nursing career. She served as a member of the United States Army Reserves Nurse Corp and obtained the rank of Major. Mrs. Murphy’s duties included clinical nursing, AOIC for the Physical Examination Team and Training Officer. She is a retired Department of Veterans Affairs nurse beginning her career as a staff nurse and advanced to the position of Associate Chief Nurse at Brooklyn Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Brooklyn, N. Y., Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC and Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Columbia, SC. 

She received numerous Awards and Honors to include: The Director’s Leadership Award from the U. S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, DC; Honoree at South Carolina Women to Women Conference, Marion, SC and received the key to the city; Richland School District Two Black History Honoree; The State Palmetto Gold Nursing Award; Commendation and Service Awards from the United States Army Reserve and the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. Mrs. Murphy was selected as “Outstanding Nurse” during her tenure at the South Carolina State Hospital and a National Council of Negro Women Honoree in Charleston, SC. She is a member of the American Nurses Association and the SC Nurses Association. She is a Charter Member of Delta Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority, and she was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Sorority. She currently serves as a United Way of South Carolina Association Board member.

 

Mrs. Murphy is a Past Matron of Queen Esther Chapter # 1 Order of the Eastern Star and a Past Grand Supervising Deputy, District Four, Prince Hall Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, Jurisdiction of South Carolina. She also served as the Grand Chapter Health Committee Chairperson. She is a Past Loyal Ruler of C.C. Johnson Assembly # 1 and currently serves as the Secretary. She is a member of the Ordie P. State Grand Assembly Health Committee and previously served as Chairperson. She is Past Commandress of Cairo Court # 125 Daughters and Past Imperial Deputy for the Desert of South Carolina. She has served as the Desert Health Committee Chairperson and currently serves as the Desert’s liaison for the South Carolina State Conference NAACP. 

 

Mrs. Murphy is president of the South Carolina State Conference NAACP. She is the first female elected as president in the organization’s eighty plus years of existence. She is a life member and began her advocacy journey more than 40 years ago as a member of the NAACP Branch in Charleston, South Carolina. She currently is a member of the Columbia Branch NAACP. Prior to becoming president of the State Conference, she served as the State Conference Health Committee Chairperson and Youth and College Division Advisor. 

Her mission is to “advocate for justice and equality for all people” within the context of the game changers identified by the NAACP National Leadership. The gamechangers provide the framework for advocacy work for State Conferences, Branches, College Chapters and Youth Councils. They include Health and Well-being, Education Innovation, Race and Justice, Advocacy and Litigation, Inclusive Economy, and Next Generation Leadership.