I have so many fond memories of Gail and my time with the Nutrition Section of FCM in Tucson. Some words of wisdom Gail shared: "With the addition of each child, the experience is exponential." Having one is like having one, having two is like having four, etc. She was right! I adore all four (I mean, both) of my kids. This is wisdom I have shared with many young mothers, helping with family planning from Arkansas to Oregon, and it always starts with "One of my first supervisors, Dr. Harrison, once gave me some life altering information..." 

I also recall that anyone that became pregnant, and planned to nurse while employed in the Nutrition Section, became instantly more popular - more research subjects! I'm pleased to share that I provided several samples to support Gail and Cheryl's many important research projects.

I remember Gail as being very kind, as does everyone else. However, I have to say my favorite memory was when she suggested that we meet at New Year's Eve to burn pages of "bad days" from our calendars in her fireplace. Several of us had had a really trying year, so we took turns saying what terrible thing happend on specific dates as we burned the memories and got rid of the bad luck. That, plus a few sinful suggestions towards those who wronged us, was our New Year's therapy. It was a lot of fun, and somehow seemed to work. Gail had many leadership skills, and having fun in the right moment was one of them.

I feel very lucky to have known Gail. She will truly be missed.

It Started with a Yellow Stickie…. 

Wow!  Christmas morning there was a Yellow Stickie on my Christmas stocking asking me if I was interested and willing to go the Egypt for 3 months to transition and wrap-out a nutrition/agriculture project.  How could I say no?  I didn’t have anything of worth on my plate. 

I went.  I was scared to death. 

It started with a ride to THE office.  That meant a ride to the Ministry of Health, Division of Nutrition (I think…I can’t remember the exact title, with Osman Galal.  Dr. Galal was someone I didn’t know at that time but knew was of importance so I put my best foot forward.  He arrived in a chaffered car Monday morning. (This was after I had to fend for myself for one and a half days without food or knowledge of how to live in this foreign land (that is another story worth lots of laughs).   He asks, “How did you sleep?”  I say, “Very well, thank you” not knowing the U.S. President at the time had bombed Libya, Egypt’s next door neighbor/country, nor mentioning that the public loud speaker prayers and traffic that kept me up all night.   (Ever the Kettel.  We never complain…that philosophy has served me well in my life and if you are listening to this tale, it is a good asset in foreign territory whether on the North American continent or otherwise).    Back to my story…I was scared to death in a country I couldn’t even hand signal for food no less understand why there were loud sounds coming at me throughout the day (e.g., the calling for prayers which I now cherish and miss).   I tried to be as gracious and desperate as could be without losing my dignity, which thinking back was a waste of effort since I was so lost and had lost my dignity but my hosts didn’t let on. (They were the gracious ones.) 

Osman, gracious man you are, lead me into my first step of a world of passion, not compassion.  Passion for service, passion for seeing beyond our minuscule perspectives that we think are visionary.  Osman, my dear friend/mentor/and support for so many years in my life, YOU showed me what I should focus on.  You showed me not only to think beyond my own ambition, but how (the mechanics of politics, partnerships, and accepting the fact that to get things done we need to manipulate/nudge/coercion, whatever is necessary for the good).  I don’t use these terms or tactics as derogatory, deviant or negative, but relative and necessary to push the envelope in a positive direction. Your gift to me was PASSION. 

Gail – you showed me the way of not of only passion, but the way of a women in a world of professional men and in the way of being a mother at the same time.  I can’t put all you and I shared over the years in writing.  I truly can’t.  There is a void in my heart and soul thinking that you are not here on earth.  I know you are in a more peaceful place.  I need everyone to know the influence you had on me and so many others, professionally, but more importantly, the lives your work changed for generations to come.  As I write these words the number of professionals are few.  Maybe 10, maybe 20.  I said in my earlier comments on the memorial website, “You were a maverick” for women, motherhood, professionalism, all that.  But as I stand back thinking beyond my own life and your relevance to it, you – GAIL HARRISON -, have made an impact on so many lives, they are countless.  Your inspiration, your dedication, your intellect, your vulnerabilities and weaknesses made you the maverick for our time.  That is why all of us are in your debt.   Gail Harrison, YOU, led the way.  YOU, showed us alternatives beyond our intellectual curiosity and university degrees, YOU are the example.  YOU are the mentor and the forerunner for which each of us should strive to be with all our own failings and struggles. 

Your gift to me was BEING ME and helping others to do the same!   I would not be who I am today if I had not known you and the power of a Yellow Stickie.

This story was contributed by Mark Nichter to my Facebook post on Gail, and I felt that it should be shared here:

I feel the loss of this kind and gracious friend and committed engaged researcher .......who saw suffering in the world and was wise enough to seek out the roots of the problem rather than just deal with the visible symptoms .....The last time I saw Gail and Osman was at a conference in the Gulf where she called attention to first world land grabs --first world nations (Japan, China, Gulf countries and so on) buying access to land and water rights in the developing world from local politicians lining their pockets. .Meanwhile the most essential resources are being siphoned off and in their place well developed export crop farms stand in stark contrast to local farms.....She looked at me and said this is so very wrong, it is so very immoral, people need to know ....we must do something .....help spread the word .....