Blinded at age 13, John Swearingen faced a fierce battle to receive an education as a blind youth in his home community. As an adult, he met prejudice and roadblocks to enter college, graduate, find employment as a teacher and acceptance in the state of South Carolina. Because of his own experience with discrimination, John developed a strong vision of a quality education for all, no matter their status in life. Years after graduating from college at the top of his class and not allowed to prove himself as a teacher in the public schools of South Carolina, John ran for the office of State Superintendent of Education for the state of South Carolina—and won. The contributions he made during his lifetime to public education, family and his community are still felt in the state of South Carolina today.