Rachel Hodges

Hodges's career began in the textile industry in Customer Relations before moving into the healthcare industry as Director of Community Relations. In 1998 her husband, James H. Hodges, was elected Governor of South Carolina. Mrs. Hodges served as First Lady of SC from 1999-2003. As First Lady, she directed the restoration of the SC Governors Mansion and created the nationally recognized reading program "Reading With Rachel." She joined the American Red Cross Columbia Region - South Carolina Board of Directors in 2007 and served three years as Chair of the Board. In 2012, she was instrumental in bringing the American Red Cross Leadership Institute to the campus of Francis Marion University. She is a member of the Palmetto SC Region Advisory Council of the American Red Cross, a member of the Bonnie McElveen-Hunter Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders, and serves on the Tiffany Circle National Council. Hodges was designated a Palmetto Lady by nine former Governors of SC and presented the Order of the Palmetto, the state's highest civilian honor.