Dorothy Golden Harrison

Dorothy Golden Harrison made history in 2001 as the Chief Administration Officer for Charleston Water System, the first female and African American Officer in Charleston Water’s 94-year history. At an early age, she knew that her life would be spent in service to others, and that has been the foundation of Harrison’s professional and civic life.

During her 26 years in the banking industry, Harrison led the development of strategies to make loans and non-traditional banking services accessible to many Midlands and Lowcountry minority professionals, churches and small businesses. She was among the first African American Commercial Loan Officers and Vice Presidents in the state and was one of the first bankers in South Carolina to serve a dual role as a licensed investment broker and commercial banker.

Harrison was recently appointed to the College of Charleston’s Foundation Board and the President’s Advisory Council. She is the founding President of Teachers’ Supply Closet, past president of the Charleston Chapter of the Links, Inc. and Trident Urban League. Harrison has also served on the boards of the Trident United Way, YWCA, Charleston Chamber of Commerce and the Coastal Community Foundation.

Her numerous awards and recognition for community service and business excellence include the Women Opening Doors award in 1991, the Key to the City of Columbia in 1992 and the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Exceptional Service to the State of South Carolina in 1994.

She and her husband, the Rev. Jerry Harrison Sr., are the parents of two children, Tsala and Hasani (Latrice) and two granddaughters, Amari and Yazmin Harrison.