Harriette Virginia Steele was born in East Point, Ga., in Oct. of 1953. She passed away in Peachtree City, Ga., in Sept. of 2011.
Harriette was a clever and multi-talented scholar, academic, and writer. She graduated with honors in the late 1970’s with a degree in English from Tulane University in New Orleans, and with skill and beauty she wrote poetry, short fiction, and children’s stories for many years.
She was also a profound social thinker, and was involved in local and Georgia-level politics to promote women’s health and wellbeing, reproductive justice, GLBT rights, the voices of working-class parents and grandparents, and economic opportunity and stability for all.
She was a loving and generous mother who taught her son to study hard, think deeply, and be critical of injustice and oppression in all its forms. Many people love her beyond words, and she is survived by whole communities that were changed for the better by her intelligence, generosity, and grace.
A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, the 18th of Sept., 2011, at First Existentialist Congregation in the Candler Park neighborhood of Atlanta. Doors will be open from 3 p.m, through 6 p.m. with planned performances, speakers, and open mic time from 4 p.m. through 5 p.m.
This will be a casual and social event, and people are encouraged to tell planned or on-the-spot stories about their time with Harriette, sing songs, and bring videos to play.
The celebration will be catered, but people are encouraged to bring potluck-style food and drinks, as well. There will be an A/V set up available.
