Mrs. Harrison's work takes place in one of Norfolk's poorest inner city neighborhoods, through a grassroots program called “Mama, I Want to Read.” This program helps 3-4 years olds acquire the pre-reading skills necessary to be successful when they enter kindergarten. Although she considers "Mama, I Want to Read" her job, she is its unpaid director and founder.

As a mentor, coach, counselor and friend, Mrs. Harrison reaches out to all the children in the program. She reaches the teachers through her constructive, high-order advice and suggestions. She earns the admiration of the parents by truly caring for their children. For everyone Mrs. Harrison touches, she makes the unfamiliar seem familiar. She turns pessimism into optimism. Through her concern for the success of others, she makes meaningful change happen.

Mrs. Harrison is an 87 year old African American woman who has been an active participant in the Civil Rights Movement her entire life. She goes to work each day for parents who could be her grandchildren and students who could be her great grandchildren. Her greatest love in life is helping others to help themselves.

As Branch Rickey once said about Jackie Robinson, "He's a credit to his race, the human race." The same can be said about Mrs. Harrison. Education in its finest hour brings people together. It builds the bridges that connect communities and generations. No one has built more bridges than Mrs. Harrison.

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