The City of West Columbia is proud to announce the dedication of a historic statue at the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater on Friday, Aug. 16. The statue is a tribute to the late Judge Tanya Amber Gee, a distinguished figure in the community who passed away in 2016. She loved the river and Riverwalk was one of her favorite places.

The City of West Columbia continually seeks opportunities to celebrate individuals who have made significant contributions to the Midlands and the state of South Carolina. Judge Gee was an exemplary role model who set a high standard for women and men in our community. Her affinity for the Riverwalk makes it a fitting location to commemorate her legacy. This unveiling is a tribute to Judge Gee and a recognition of how people from all walks of life appreciate the Riverwalk and the natural beauty of West Columbia.

Judge Tanya Amber Gee (July 15, 1977 – September 28, 2016) was a South Carolina Circuit Court judge. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Gee moved to Rock Hill, South Carolina, when she was sixteen. She graduated from Northwestern High School in 1995 and earned her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from Winthrop University. In 2002, she graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law, serving as president of the Pro Bono Board and the Public Interest Law Society. Gee began her legal career as a law clerk to Kaye Gorenflo Hearn and became a chief judge of the South Carolina Court of Appeals. In 2015, the South Carolina legislature elected Gee, at 37, to a seat on the South Carolina Circuit Court. Late in her life, Gee was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called chondrosarcoma. She died on September 28, 2016.

Mayor Tem Miles said, “Tanya and I started our legal careers together as law clerks. She was one of the smartest, kindest, and funniest people I have ever known.  She was a great attorney, judge, person, mother, wife, and friend. She achieved so much and helped so many during her short time here. I am so proud she will be represented here to watch over us,  our beautiful Congaree that she loved, and our State Capital.”

Chris Koon, husband of the late Tanya Gee, said, “Our family wants to thank the City of West Columbia for being an incredible partner in this project. The mayor, council, and staff were incredibly supportive and receptive to our ideas, and we hope the result will be a landmark forever associated with the City. The sculptor, Charles Pate, created an inspiring piece of art that captures Tanya’s spirit, curiosity, and kindness. Tanya loved the Riverwalk. We believe this is the first statue of a female judge in South Carolina, and we can’t think of a better location than the Riverwalk in West Columbia.”

The statue was made possible through generous donations to the SC Bar Foundation. Any additional funds raised will go to the law school’s existing “Tanya A. Gee Warriors for Justice Fund,” a scholarship that helps defray loan repayment for graduates who work as public defenders. https://scbf.networkforgood.com/