Mother of Gladys Stephenson and grandmother of James Stephenson
Hannah Peppers was the mother of Gladys Stephenson and grandmother of James Stephenson. When Peppers learned that her daughter and grandson had been jailed, she sought help from local Black community leaders Julius Blair and James Morton. Together, they appealed to Sheriff J.J. Underwood for their release. Their efforts helped secure bail for Gladys and James as tensions escalated and a white mob gathered near the courthouse. Peppers’ actions played an important role in protecting her family during a pivotal moment in Columbia’s history.
