DR. HARRIET SMITH WINDSOR
SECRETARY OF STATE
Biography
Dr. Harriet Smith Windsor was sworn in as Delaware's
Secretary of State on January 3, 2001, having been appointed by
Governor Ruth Ann Minner. Dr. Windsor received from Governor
Thomas R. Carper the Order of the First State, the highest honor
a governor can bestow on a citizen, in December of 2000 for
meritorious service on behalf of the citizens of Delaware.
Dr. Windsor was the 1999 Delaware Mother of the Year. From 1993
until January 2001, she was a member of Governor Thomas R.
Carper's Cabinet, as Director of State Personnel. Recognized as a
trailblazer for her leadership roles in government, education,
and church, she was named to the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame in
1997.
With a doctorate and a master's degree from the University of
Delaware and a bachelor's degree from Juniata College,
Huntingdon, PA, she is a former Dean of Instruction and
Department of English Chairperson at Delaware Technical and
Community College, Owens Campus, and a former English teacher at
Seaford Senior High School. A writer and speaker, she serves on
numerous local, state and national boards.
In 1989, Dr. Windsor was recognized as Millsboro's Woman of the
Year. According to her, this is a cherished award because she was
totally surprised by being sponsored by Sussex Central Junior
High School students. Upon accepting the award, she told the
students: "You never know who is watching and what they are
seeing!" This has become Dr. Windsor's message during many
speaking opportunities throughout the State, as a result of the
personal experience.
She has been a life-long member of Millsboro's Grace United
Methodist Church, where she previously served as choir director,
organist, church school teacher and superintendent,
administrative board chairperson, chairperson of the Pastor
Parish Relations Committee, and is currently lay leader. Dr.
Windsor is a Certified Lay Speaker of the Peninsula Conference,
and serves on the District Committee on Ordained Ministry.
Dr. Windsor is a native Sussex Countian from Millsboro, where her
son James A. Smith, Jr., and daughter, Julia O’Hanlon, now
young adults, also grew up. She currently resides in Lewes.
