From Small Acts to Lifelong Impact: Harriet’s Journey of Community Service

• Growing up on a farm as a child instilled an appreciation for the environment and made Harriet understand the importance of community support.
• Harriet’s career progression transitioned from corporate roles to nonprofit leadership, driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference.
• Amelie’s book journey might have had a hesitant start but it went on to impact schools, libraries, and nonprofits.
• Harriet advises philanthropists to start small, grow their impact, and witness the transformative power of giving back.

1. Tell us about your childhood and how your experiences influenced the person you are today.

I had an unusual childhood compared to most people you meet. I grew up on a farm in South Alabama, where I lived with all my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. I had an idyllic childhood. We weren’t wealthy but were financially comfortable. 

Despite our comfortable life, poverty wasn’t a distant concept. My parents and grandparents taught us the importance of giving back. We shared our resources with those in need. This early exposure to social responsibility left a lasting impression on me. I knew I wanted to help people, so I wanted to be a psychologist or psychiatrist. I realized I couldn’t handle that because I’m very empathetic and hearing people talk about serious problems all day would overwhelm me. I knew I needed to find a way to make a difference that wouldn’t deplete my emotional reserves.

My experience working with homeless women and children at the Atlanta Union Mission reaffirmed my need for a different approach. Being around 300 homeless women and children 24/7 was emotionally draining. I understood that I wouldn’t be able to find that balance. So, I got involved in raising money for it. It allows me to help and have a great impact, without being personally impacted. I knew myself too well to know that I could not do that 40 hours a week, but I could raise money 40 hours a week.

I worked for a corporation for a few years and after that company was sold, I decided I didn’t want to measure my life by how many products I sold. That led me to volunteer for nonprofit organizations, where I now focus on a cause close to my heart – the Hearing Health Foundation. My experience in donor relations also translates well to the advisory board of a venture capital firm I serve.

2. Tell us about the writing process you shared with your granddaughter during the composition of Saachi the Angel.

My granddaughter Saachi had a traumatic birth injury that left us fearing the worst. Though her time was brief, her unexpected passing had a silver lining. Inspired to cope, her sister Amelie who was almost seven then, led the creation of a heartwarming children’s book about loss. Her writing was limited but she wrote some things and dictated the rest to me. It was a full page and it all came from her. Being very precocious and smart, she even came up with the title and all the character names. She also had the idea to put a family tree in the back of the book, which I thought was a great idea. The emotional journey of writing wasn’t easy, but we persevered.

Finding the perfect illustrator took time, but eventually, we found someone who captured her vision. The book’s completion brought immense joy when she saw it in print for the first time.

Amelie has had a heartwarming journey with the book. Initially, she was hesitant, but now she’s preparing to read it at her school. We’ve donated copies to schools, libraries, and a nonprofit supporting grieving families, with proceeds going to charity. While it’s not a mass-market book, it’s gaining traction, partly thanks to celebrity endorsements. Achieving our goals feels rewarding. I’m grateful for the positive reviews on Amazon, though distributing free copies limited review opportunities. Encouraging friends to buy copies for reviews helped fill that gap. The feedback has been touching, highlighting the emotional depth of the story.

3. Have you had any mentors throughout your career? How did they influence your life?

Growing up on a farm was isolating. Beyond school and Girl Scouts, entertainment options were scarce. An aunt, who later became president of the Alabama Educational Association, served as my mentor. My grandparents, despite having limited formal education,  also became significant figures in my life. They were smart and loving. They didn’t have elaborate outings, and instead, we spent quality time fishing or playing cards. Both my maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather emphasized good values through their everyday interactions. For example, my grandmother couldn’t stand anyone saying that they didn’t care about something, and my grandfather was exceptionally generous. Their influence was constant, shaping me throughout my life.

4. How do you balance vulnerability and authenticity in your interactions?

My mother believes in the saying, “Be able to laugh at yourself and have self-awareness.” Growing up, honesty was the norm. Faking knowledge never felt necessary, especially around my mom. She openly admits her struggles, like asking me what seven times six was, even at 90, and we’d laugh it off together. Similarly, I’m not particularly tech-savvy, but I embrace it. I’m open about my limitations and comfortable asking for help when needed. During my retirement, colleagues would tease me about some of my weaknesses because everyone knew that I’d acknowledge them myself. Pretending to be good at something you’re not is worse than admitting you’re not good at it.

5. What was the most surprising aspect of leading such a renowned organization like Girl Scouts?

The Girl Scout Council I managed was one of the largest in the nation. We had 30,000 girls, almost 60,000 parents, and 15,000 volunteers. New to the organization and a first-time Scout mom myself, I didn’t know what to expect. I expected issues to arise with the girls. After all, managing that many young minds could be a handful. However, throughout the 10 years, no issues came to me because they were primarily handled at the troop level. Instead, it was the occasional staff member or volunteer, who didn’t follow safety rules and regulations, or strayed from the program guidelines. Even these instances were rare, with probably five complaints in 10 years. The maturity and focus of the girls truly surprised me.

6. Are there any hobbies you have recently taken up and have been wanting to explore further?

About 10 years ago I had collected my whole life. I collected family photos and family information on ancestors, artifacts that belong to my grandparents, great-grandparents, or great-great-grandparents that I never knew. Then I decided to put all this information in a computer program. I spent a holiday weekend with the kids entering all this into a website called Geni. Suddenly, the gaps in my family tree became glaring: missing names, unknown spouses, or my great-great-grandmother’s children’s names became exciting puzzles to solve. So, I would search relentlessly and then it became a 10-year hobby. I still do that, and eventually, I’ll pass it on to my grandchildren. But for now, it gives me great comfort to feel my ancestors’ presence around me.

7. Where do you draw strength and resilience from In times of adversity?

Everybody faces challenges in life even if you never leave your house. It may seem small but it can have serious repercussions and ramifications. 

I don’t shy away from adversity. We all experience it, and somehow, we rise above it. Some people find strength in faith, others in family. It’s different for each person. It can also be at different points in your life. Maybe your parents are your rock early on, then a spouse or partner later. For some people, a job itself can be a source of inspiration, what they’re accomplishing and achieving. I think it’s important to have numerous sources of inspiration. 

However, these sources can also become challenges. For instance, I have a brother who has had a lot of emotional and mental problems. While we love him, he has also been a source of challenges over the years. 

Therefore, you have to look for ‘what gives me energy now’ at any given point in your life. When you know what it is, try to include that in your life.

8. Please share a book that has inspired you.

I particularly enjoy reading books about people who’ve made a significant impact or lived extraordinary lives, whether they’re biographies or autobiographies. I’ve been fascinated by the stories of influential figures like the Obamas, the Clintons, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Now, I also enjoy reading books to children.

9. Is there any advice you would like to give young girls with a philanthropic passion?

For young girls with a heart for giving back, my advice is to start small and simple. Look around your community – what needs can you help address? As you gain experience from volunteering and giving back to the community, you can expand your reach, tackling larger projects or collaborating with groups outside your community, state, or country. 

Philanthropy can connect you to causes you care about. Maybe it’s collecting books for a school library or organizing a drive for a homeless shelter. There are all sorts of ways that girls of all ages can participate in to make their community better.

My family’s impactful experience involved partnering with other families in our church to sponsor a refugee family from Afghanistan. Arriving as a family unit — husband, wife, two boys, and a grandmother –- we set up an apartment for them and furnished it, assisted them in getting clothes, enrolled the boys in school, arranged medical exams, supplied food, and helped the father secure employment. We continued supporting them until they achieved self-sufficiency and could cover their rent. 

A year later, with the help of another Afghan family, they relocated to New York for better opportunities. Three or four years later, they visited us, thriving and grateful. Witnessing their success was incredibly rewarding.

Harriet’s journey embodies the transformative power of community service. Her journey began on a farm, instilling foundational values that guided her to lead renowned organizations and ignite philanthropic passions in others. Her message is simple yet powerful: start small, embrace authenticity, and seek inspiration from diverse sources. This resonates deeply with potential changemakers, inspiring them to make a difference, from their communities to the world beyond.