Impactful Women of Aiken: Irene Rudnick

Irene Rudnick, a Columbia, South Carolina native, was the first Jewish woman to be elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives.

 In 1972, Rudnick was elected to the state House of Representatives and represented District 82 for 14 years. She represented Aiken County from 1972-1976, 1981-1984 and 1987-1994.

A trailblazer for women in both the legal field and political sphere, Rudnick was one of the few women attending The University of South Carolina School of Law at the time. Following her graduation in 1952, Rudnick moved to Aiken and opened her own law firm.

According to her obituary, Rudnick considered herself “a servant of the people.” She championed many causes including educational and legal reform, lower utility rates, the environment and highway safety.

Rudnick was named Citizen of the Year for Aiken County and was awarded the S.C. Woman of Achievement Legislative, the Aiken County Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year and many other awards during her life.

 Rudnick was a member of the American Association of University Women and was heavily involved in the creation and founding of USC Aiken. Following the university’s establishment in 1961, she began teaching legal courses at the school.

In 1983, Rudnick began practicing law with her son, Morris.

Demonstrating a dedication to the law and academics, she taught at USC Aiken from 1961 until December 2018, just a few months before she passed away.  

 Recently, S.C. Rep. Bill Clyburn sponsored a resolution that would rename I-20’s interchange with Bettis Academy Road after Rudnick. The S.C. House of Representatives Invitations and Memorial Resolutions approved the resolution.