Melissa Jefferson-Wooden to Receive Highest Honor in Her Hometown 27 Years After LL Cool J

For the first time in over a quarter-century, the City of Georgetown will bestow its highest honor, the "Key to the City," upon one of its own.

Georgetown County native and decorated Olympic champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden is set to receive the prestigious award next month.

The ceremony is scheduled for October 7 at 4 PM at the new Georgetown City Hall. Councilmember Jessie Walker made the announcement during a City Council meeting last week.

This marks a significant occasion for the city, as the last recipient of the key was entertainer LL Cool J back in 1999.

A graduate of Carvers Bay High School and Coastal Carolina University, Jefferson-Wooden has established herself as a dominant force on the global athletics stage. Her impressive career includes standout performances at the highest levels of competition.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she secured a bronze medal in the 100 meters and anchored Team USA to a gold medal in the 4x100-meter relay.

She followed this with a historic performance at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, where she became the first American woman to win gold in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4x100-meter relay at a single championship.

More recently, Jefferson-Wooden triumphed in both the 100 and 200 meters at the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championship. Her winning time of 21.47 seconds in the 200 meters was the third-fastest ever recorded in the history of the women's event.