The South Carolina Psychological Association is hereby recognized with a Presidential Citation for its commitment to confronting violence and racism, education and service to those who have experienced great suffering.
In recognition of the South Carolina Psychological Association for taking targeted public action in the wake of traumatic events such as the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting tragedy; serving as a voice of reason and compassion while providing education and support to those endeavoring to serve and heal; focusing its 2015 fall symposium, the Psychology of Racism — Our Roots and Response, on the critical need to understand and engage in difficult dialogues around issues of racism and discrimination; following up with its spring 2016 conference on the Psychology of Healing and Love-Survivors' Stories and the Treatment of Trauma; highlighting Charleston's response in the aftermath of the shooting and distinguishing these actions as examples for all; and for providing a platform for learning from the journeys of those who have experienced and are living with the aftermath of trauma.