Home
News Grid
Local News
- Briefs
- Obituaries
Green Hawk
Business
Politics
School Zone
- Kids Speaking Up
Nonprofits
Missing Pets
Multimedia
- Photo of the Day
- Pictures in the News
Arts
Movies
- Times
- Reviews
Outdoors
Sports
News Releases
Columnists
- Leslie Dinaberg & Zak Klobucher
- Capt. David Bacon
- Paul Burri
- Bill Cirone
- Russell Collins
- Hal Conklin & Denny Wayman
- Karen Dwyer
- Jeff Harding
- Joan Mayer
- Hospice of Santa Barbara
- Karen Telleen-Lawton
- Ken Williams
- Carrie Wilson
Blogs
- Hawks Nest
- Craig Smith
- calbuzz
- The Daily Capitalist
- Miller-McCune News
- City 2.0
- Cliff Redding
Opinions
- Lou Cannon
- Michael Barone
- Debbie Brasket
- Susan Estrich
- Jim Hightower
- Tam Hunt
- Larry Kudlow
- Michelle Malkin
- Robert Scheer
- Harris Sherline
- Mark Shields
Classifieds
Advertise
Donate
Partners
- Presidio Sports
- Santa Barbara Surfer
- SBParent.com
- Partners in Education
- United Way of Santa Barbara County

In a Joyful Celebration, Harriet Miller Orchestrates Her Last Exit

Santa Barbara pays tribute to the former mayor, carefully granting her wish that The Granada gathering not be 'mushy'

The Joint Voices Choir, directed by the Rev. Norbert Jackson, leads The Granada audience in singing the late Harriet Miller’s favorite song, “Don’t Fence Me In.” (Lara Cooper / Noozhawk photo)

By Lara Cooper, Noozhawk Staff Writer | Published on 01.31.2010

E-mail
Print
Post | View Comments (5)

A single spotlight illuminated an empty seat in The Granada on Sunday, a space pointed out by Barbara Ben-Horin as “Harriet’s seat.”

Harriet Miller, 1919-2010

And even though the chair sat empty, Harriet Miller’s spirit was very much alive among those who filled the theater’s surrounding seats and gathered to celebrate the former Santa Barbara mayor’s life.

Miller was 90 years old when she died at her home on Jan. 6. She served two terms as mayor and two as a city councilwoman, in addition to holding numerous leadership roles in various organizations — locally and across the country.

Several hundred people attended Sunday’s “Follow Your Bliss, Celebrating Harriet Miller” event and listened to a lineup of speakers share their memories of Miller.

Ben-Horin, Miller’s friend of nearly 30 years, gave opening and closing remarks at the memorial.

“As you can imagine, Harriet left notes,” Ben-Horin said of Miller’s typewritten dictations about what she’d like after she passed away.

“With regard to today, she said, ‘I’d like a celebration, not a memorial. And it can’t be mushy,’” Ben-Horin told the audience.

“Harriet was destined to be a trailblazer,” she said.

Born July 4, 1919, in Council, Idaho, Miller was the daughter of two teachers, who instilled in her the value of education. Her parents were interested in politics, which created lively discussion at Miller’s dinner table growing up, said Mary Rose, who worked on Miller’s political campaigns in Santa Barbara.

“She loved all things political, especially political buttons,” said Rose, holding up the campaign-style pins created for Sunday. The buttons were emblazoned with Miller’s photo and a “Follow Your Bliss” slogan.

Before her political accomplishments, however, Miller began her career as a chemist for Atlantic Richfield in the 1940s, and Rose said she wasn’t sure why Miller chose chemistry.

“My guess is that someone told her it wasn’t a degree for a woman,” Rose said to laughter from the audience.

Miller went on to pursue her master’s degree in political science, and become one of the first women to be elected to a statewide position in Montana, where she served as superintendent of schools.

It wasn’t unusual for Miller to travel to the most rural schools, some up to 30 miles from paved roads, to check on students and make sure they were getting what they needed, Rose said.

She was also known for her work with Native Americans, and was even made an honorary member of the Blackfoot tribe. The honor was said to be one of her most prized awards.

Rob Pearson and Angela Antenore took turns sharing professional and personal anecdotes about former Santa Barbara Mayor Harriet Miller’s life. (Lara Cooper / Noozhawk photo)

Miller moved to Santa Barbara when she was 62, and was elected mayor in 1995, serving until 2001. Prior to becoming mayor, she served on the City Council from 1987 to 1994.

One of Sunday’s most memorable moments came when a video was shown of Miller from several years ago, sharing her life story with an interviewer.

Her words were interspersed with old photos, spanning from Miller as a young girl to a woman putting up political posters for her own campaign to an older Miller dancing in the Summer Solstice parade.

“I just think that being involved in your world is important,” she told the camera.

Bill Cirone, Santa Barbara County superintendent of schools, talked about Miller’s commitment to education. He and fellow educators often asked themselves “What would Harriet do?” he said.

Miller was also remembered for her passion for youth. Pat Wheatley lauded Miller’s role in developing the Skater’s Point skateboard park next to Stearns Wharf. The Twelve35 Teen Center and Santa Barbara Youth Council were also established with her support.

Two weeks ago, San Marcos High School senior Katie Shara received the Harriet Miller Youth Leadership Award, bestowed annually on an outstanding local student.

And the fact that Miller had been so instrumental in the renovation and restoration of The Granada was not lost on Sunday’s speakers.

Loretta Redd described her longtime friend, Harriet Miller, as “a ribbon-cutting, gavel-slinging, bourbon-drinking mayor.” But turning serious, she paid tribute to Miller’s love of the arts. “She understood that the arts are the glue that hold a community together,” she said. (Lara Cooper / Noozhawk photo)

“This very place ... speaks volumes about Harriet,” exclaimed Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara. “She leaves a rich legacy.”

One photo depicted Miller handily wielding a sledgehammer as demolition began in the old Granada Theatre’s space to prepare for the new.

“She understood that the arts are the glue that hold a community together,” longtime friend Loretta Redd said. “This great lady left us with many legacies, and we’re seated in one today.”

Describing her as “a ribbon-cutting, gavel-slinging, bourbon-drinking mayor,” Redd described a Miller who was nothing if not down-to-earth.

Miller was as confident wearing a pink tutu in the Summer Solstice parade as she was dressed up for a night at the symphony, according to Redd.

Rob Pearson, executive director of the city Housing Authority, also commended Miller’s work on behalf of social justice.

Another friend, Angela Antenore, shared a story about Miller’s unbounded sense of adventure, that lasted even into her later years.

Antenore and Miller took a trip to Hawaii to go bodysurfing. Miller was 83 at the time.

“That exemplifies the spirit of who she was,” Antenore said.

— Noozhawk staff writer Lara Cooper can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Comments

Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules as part of Noozhawk's shared online community. Please keep your comments civil and helpful. Don't attack other readers personally, and do not use vulgar, abusive or discriminatory language. Use the "Report Abuse" link if a comment violates these standards or our Terms of Use.

» She was amazing on 02.01.10 @ 07:05 AM

and so was yesterday’s celebration- we are so lucky that she chose Santa Barbara to “retire” to.