"[15] South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley stated, "I love the fact that she lived by the motto, 'Be kinder than necessary.'

"[11] A resolution passed by the South Carolina General Assembly on April 28, 2016 resolved "That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, celebrate the life of Cynthia Graham Hurd, librarian, community servant-leader, devoted family member, respected colleague, and friend to the many citizens of Charleston whose lives she influenced in a lifetime of service.

[19] In 2020, the Charleston County Public Library created an anti-racism initiative designed to promote kindness by encouraging the use of #ThisIsForCynthia to share random acts of kindness,[12][20] when its yearly in-person events to celebrate Hurd, including book drives, exhibits, and special programs[21] were not possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[22] The library also released a video tribute titled "Cynthia Graham Hurd, A Legacy Everlasting" on its social media.

[20] In 2021, Hurd was featured in The South Carolina African American History Calendar, designed by the South Carolina Department of Education and its partners to provide "educators, parents, and visitors a method of identifying African American role models for all youth and honoring notable African American achievers with ties to South Carolina.

[24] Science Springer Nature offers an annual Cynthia Graham Hurd Memorial Scholarship to librarians.

[25][26] In 2019, the Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) created the Cynthia Graham Hurd Staff Award, "in recognition of a current staff member who has demonstrated to the public and community the same spirit, enthusiasm, dedication and commitment exhibited by Cynthia in carrying out the mission of CCPL.