MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR VINCENT GORDON HARDING
Denver, Colorado - July 25-26, 2014
Dear Friends,
The Veterans of Hope Project, the Iliff School of Theology and the Harding family are jointly
sponsoring a memorial weekend in honor of Vincent Gordon Harding on July 25-26, 2014 in
Denver, Colorado. Dr. Harding, who passed on May 19, 2014, was an historian, writer, teacher,
counselor and longtime activist for social justice. Please join with us to honor his life, his work and his spirit of advocacy and community-building.
Vincent and his first wife, Rosemarie Freeney Harding (who died in 2004), were organizers in the southern freedom movement where they were friends and colleagues of Rev. Dr. Martin and Coretta
King. Vincent directed and/or co-founded several institutions, including Mennonite House in Atlanta, Georgia; the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change; the Institute of the Black World; and the National Council of Elders. At his death, Vincent was professor emeritus at the Iliff School of Theology where he and Rosemarie founded and co-chaired the Veterans of Hope Project, a 501c3 interdisciplinary initiative on religion, culture and social justice history, directed by their niece, Gloria, and daughter, Rachel, for the past 12 years.
Dr. Harding is survived by his second wife, Mrs. Aljosie Aldrich Harding, a co-worker at the Institute of the Black World from 1970-1974. For the last four years they were partners in life and work. They worked together at various conferences, programs and colleges throughout the United States and in 2012 were part of the Dorothy Cotton Institute Delegation to Palestine/Israel. Aljosie Aldrich Harding and Vincent Gordon Harding were married December 21, 2013 in Atlanta. Dr.
Harding is also survived by his daughter, Dr. Rachel E. Harding; his son, Mr. Jonathan Harding; niece Gloria Smith and many other friends and family. Please see the link to a New York Times article for more on Vincent’s life. Vincent Harding - New York Times.
The details of the memorial weekend are:
July 25, 2014, Friday, 5-8 pm, at the Iliff School of Theology – Shattuck Hall – 2201 S. University Blvd., Denver, Colorado. Join us for a community reception and an opportunity to share reminiscences and stories with friends and family members.
July 26, 2014, Saturday, 4-7 pm, at New Hope Baptist Church, 3701 Colorado Blvd., Denver, Colorado. This will be a richly multicultural, interfaith celebration of Vincent Harding’s life, work and spirit.
Please come to be with us – share your stories and join in our celebration of a beautiful life.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP to vohproject@iliff.edu. Please include your contact (email/phone) information. Please also let us know if you need any special accommodations.
For more information please contact Dr. Carolyn Love at the Veterans of Hope Project, 303-765-3198 or vohproject@iliff.edu.
Peace,
Dr. Rachel E. Harding, Ms. Gloria Smith and the Memorial Planning Team
The Veterans of Hope Project
2201 South University Blvd
Denver, CO 80210
