COLUMBIA, S.C. — Bettie Player's parents never wanted her to work in the mill.

Both her parents began working at Olympia Mill at young ages. The four-story, red brick building was built in 1899. When it opened, it was the "largest cotton mill under one roof in the world."

At 97, Player looks back at her time growing up in the Olympia Mill village as one of the best times in her life.

Her parents stressed education as a way to avoid working at the mill, but Player, along with her brother worked at the mill for a short time.

Player worked in the employment office while she was finishing high school. Her job was to make badges for the workers, complete with their photo, as WWII was happening. It was a safety feature at the mill.

She took her lunch to her parents, mom Embe and father Will

See Full Page